Link to: Resource Guide
Also: Tylenol, Motrin, Advil, Zyrtec, Claritin
Get the Right Dose
Easily determine the right dose of Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) , Cetirizine (Zyrtec), or Loratadine (Claritin) for your child’s weight and age.
Select your child's age and weight.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
| Child's Weight/Age | Medication | Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | Do not use unless directed by a doctor. (0-5 lbs) |
| 6-11 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 1.25 mL every 4 to 6 hours (6-11 lbs) |
| 12-17 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 2.5 mL every 4 to 6 hours (12-17 lbs) |
| 18-23 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 3.75 mL every 4 to 6 hours (18-23 lbs) |
| 24-35 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 5 mL every 4 to 6 hours (24-35 lbs) |
| 36-47 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 7.5 mL every 4 to 6 hours (36-47 lbs) |
| 48-59 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 10 mL every 4 to 6 hours (48-59 lbs) |
| 60-71 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 12.5 mL every 4 to 6 hours (60-71 lbs) |
| 72-95 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 15 mL every 4 to 6 hours (72-95 lbs) |
| 24-35 lbs | Chewable Acetaminophen Tablets 160 mg (such as Children’s Tylenol Chewable Tablets) | 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours (24-35 lbs) |
| 36-47 lbs | Chewable Acetaminophen Tablets 160 mg (such as Children’s Tylenol Chewable Tablets) | 1.5 tablets every 4 to 6 hours (36-47 lbs) |
| 48-59 lbs | Chewable Acetaminophen Tablets 160 mg (such as Children’s Tylenol Chewable Tablets) | 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours (48-59 lbs) |
| 60-71 lbs | Chewable Acetaminophen Tablets 160 mg (such as Children’s Tylenol Chewable Tablets) | 2.5 tablets every 4 to 6 hours (60-71 lbs) |
| 72-95 lbs | Chewable Acetaminophen Tablets 160 mg (such as Children’s Tylenol Chewable Tablets) | 3 tablets every 4 to 6 hours (72-95 lbs) |
| 48-59 lbs | Adult Acetaminophen Tablets 325 mg (such as Tylenol Regular Strength) | 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours (48-59 lbs) |
| 60-71 lbs | Adult Acetaminophen Tablets 325 mg (such as Tylenol Regular Strength) | 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours (60-71 lbs) |
| 72-95 lbs | Adult Acetaminophen Tablets 325 mg (such as Tylenol Regular Strength) | 1.5 tablets every 4 to 6 hours (72-95 lbs) |
| 96 lbs or more | Adult Acetaminophen Tablets 325 mg (such as Tylenol Regular Strength) | 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours (96 lbs or more) |
Ibuprofen (Motrin)
| Child's Weight/Age | Medication | Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| 0-11 lbs | Ibuprofen Infant Drops 50 mg/1.25 mL (such as Infant’s Motrin Oral Suspension Drops) | Do not use unless directed by a doctor. (0-11 lbs) |
| 12-17 lbs | Ibuprofen Infant Drops 50 mg/1.25 mL (such as Infant’s Motrin Oral Suspension Drops) | 1.25 mL every 6 to 8 hours (12-17 lbs) |
| 18-23 lbs | Ibuprofen Infant Drops 50 mg/1.25 mL (such as Infant’s Motrin Oral Suspension Drops) | 1.875 mL every 6 to 8 hours (18-23 lbs) |
| 24-35 lbs | Ibuprofen Infant Drops 50 mg/1.25 mL (such as Infant’s Motrin Oral Suspension Drops) | 2.5 mL every 6 to 8 hours (24-35 lbs) |
| 36-47 lbs | Ibuprofen Infant Drops 50 mg/1.25 mL (such as Infant’s Motrin Oral Suspension Drops) | 3.75 mL every 6 to 8 hours (36-47 lbs) |
| 48-59 lbs | Ibuprofen Infant Drops 50 mg/1.25 mL (such as Infant’s Motrin Oral Suspension Drops) | 5 mL every 6 to 8 hours (48-59 lbs) |
| 0-11 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | Do not use unless directed by a doctor. (0-11 lbs) |
| 12-17 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 2.5 mL every 6 to 8 hours (12-17 lbs) |
| 18-23 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 4 mL every 6 to 8 hours (18-23 lbs) |
| 24-35 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 5 mL every 6 to 8 hours (24-35 lbs) |
| 36-47 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 7.5 mL every 6 to 8 hours (36-47 lbs) |
| 48-59 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 10 mL every 6 to 8 hours (48-59 lbs) |
| 60-71 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 12.5 mL every 6 to 8 hours (60-71 lbs) |
| 72-95 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 15 mL every 6 to 8 hours (72-95 lbs) |
| 96 lbs or more | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 20 mL every 6 to 8 hours (96 lbs or more) |
| 24-35 lbs | Chewable Ibuprofen Tablets 100 mg (such as Children’s Motrin Chewables) | 1 tablet every 6 to 8 hours (24-35 lbs) |
| 36-47 lbs | Chewable Ibuprofen Tablets 100 mg (such as Children’s Motrin Chewables) | 1.5 tablets every 6 to 8 hours (36-47 lbs) |
| 48-59 lbs | Chewable Ibuprofen Tablets 100 mg (such as Children’s Motrin Chewables) | 2 tablets every 6 to 8 hours (48-59 lbs) |
| 60-71 lbs | Chewable Ibuprofen Tablets 100 mg (such as Children’s Motrin Chewables) | 2.5 tablets every 6 to 8 hours (60-71 lbs) |
| 72-95 lbs | Chewable Ibuprofen Tablets 100 mg (such as Children’s Motrin Chewables) | 3 tablets every 6 to 8 hours (72-95 lbs) |
| 96 lbs or more | Chewable Ibuprofen Tablets 100 mg (such as Children’s Motrin Chewables) | 4 tablets every 6 to 8 hours (96 lbs or more) |
| 48-59 lbs | Adult Ibuprofen Tablets 200 mg (such as Motrin IB or Advil) | 1 tablet every 6 to 8 hours (48-59 lbs) |
| 60-71 lbs | Adult Ibuprofen Tablets 200 mg (such as Motrin IB or Advil) | 1 tablet every 6 to 8 hours (60-71 lbs) |
| 72-95 lbs | Adult Ibuprofen Tablets 200 mg (such as Motrin IB or Advil) | 1.5 tablets every 6 to 8 hours (72-95 lbs) |
| 96 lbs or more | Adult Ibuprofen Tablets 200 mg (such as Motrin IB or Advil) | 2 tablets every 6 to 8 hours (96 lbs or more) |
Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
| Child's Weight/Age | Medication | Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 years | Cetirizine Syrup 2.5mg/2.5mL (such as Children’s Zyrtec Syrup) | Do not use unless directed by a doctor. (Under 2 years) |
| 2 to under 6 years | Cetirizine Syrup 2.5mg/2.5mL (such as Children’s Zyrtec Syrup) | 2.5 mL or 5 mL once per 24 hours (2 to under 6 years) |
| 6 to under 12 years | Cetirizine Syrup 2.5mg/2.5mL (such as Children’s Zyrtec Syrup) | 5 mL or 10 mL once per 24 hours (6 to under 12 years) |
| 12 years and older | Cetirizine Syrup 2.5mg/2.5mL (such as Children’s Zyrtec Syrup) | 5 mL or 10 mL once per 24 hours (12 years and older) |
| 2 to under 6 years | Cetirizine Chewable 2.5mg (such as Children’s Zyrtec Chewables for Kids 2+ Years) | 1 or 2 tablets once per 24 hours (2 to under 6 years) |
| 6 to under 12 years | Cetirizine Chewable 2.5mg (such as Children’s Zyrtec Chewables for Kids 2+ Years) | 2 or 4 tablets once per 24 hours (6 to under 12 years) |
| 12 years and older | Cetirizine Chewable 2.5mg (such as Children’s Zyrtec Chewables for Kids 2+ Years) | 2 or 4 tablets once per 24 hours (12 years and older) |
| 6 to under 12 years | Cetirizine Chewable 10mg (such as Children’s Zyrtec Chewables for Kids 6+ Years) | 1 tablet per 24 hours (6 to under 12 years) |
| 12 years and older | Cetirizine Chewable 10mg (such as Children’s Zyrtec Chewables for Kids 6+ Years) | 1 tablet per 24 hours (12 years and older) |
Loratadine (Claritin)
| Child's Weight/Age | Medication | Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 years | Loratadine Syrup 5mg/mL (such as Children’s Claritin Syrup) | Do not use unless directed by a doctor. (Under 2 years) |
| 2 to under 6 years | Loratadine Syrup 5mg/mL (such as Children’s Claritin Syrup) | 5 mL once per 24 hours (2 to under 6 years) |
| 6 to under 12 years | Loratadine Syrup 5mg/mL (such as Children’s Claritin Syrup) | 10 mL once per 24 hours (6 to under 12 years) |
| 12 years and older | Loratadine Syrup 5mg/mL (such as Children’s Claritin Syrup) | 10 mL once per 24 hours (12 years and older) |
| 2 to under 6 years | Loratadine Chewables 5mg (such as Children’s Claritin Chewables) | 1 tablet per 24 hours (2 to under 6 years) |
| 6 to under 12 years | Loratadine Chewables 5mg (such as Children’s Claritin Chewables) | 2 tablets per 24 hours (6 to under 12 years) |
| 12 years and older | Loratadine Chewables 5mg (such as Children’s Claritin Chewables) | 2 tablets per 24 hours (12 years and older) |
| 6 to under 12 years | Loratadine Chewables 10mg (such as Claritin Max Strength Chewables) | 1 tablet per 24 hours (6 to under 12 years) |
| 12 years and older | Loratadine Chewables 10mg (such as Claritin Max Strength Chewables) | 1 tablet per 24 hours (12 years and older) |
| 6 to under 12 years | Adult Loratadine Tablets 10mg (such as Adult Claritin) | 1 tablet per 24 hours (6 to under 12 years) |
| 12 years and older | Adult Loratadine Tablets 10mg (such as Adult Claritin) | 1 tablet per 24 hours (12 years and older) |
Important Instructions
- Always read and follow the label instructions.
- Whenever possible, use the dosing device that came with the product. Syringes and droppers are more accurate than teaspoons.
- If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. Regular spoons are not reliable.
Acetaminophen
Tylenol
- Do not give before 2 months of age. Call us immediately if your baby under 2 months old has a fever of 100.4 or higher.
- Repeat dose every 4-6 hours while symptoms last.
- Do not give more than 5 doses in 24 hours.
- Do not use with any other product containing acetaminophen.
- Source: HealthyChildren.org
Ibuprofen
Motrin, Advil
- Not for children under 6 months of age.
- Repeat dose every 6-8 hours as needed.
- Do not give more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
- Source: HealthyChildren.org
Cetirizine
Zyrtec
- Ask your healthcare provider before using this medication in children under 2 years of age.
- Repeat dose every 24 hours as needed.
- Source: Zyrtec.com
Loratadine
Claritin
- Ask your healthcare provider before using this medication in children under 2 years of age.
- Repeat dose every 24 hours as needed.
- Source: Claritin.com
