Pediatric Partners, PA

Medication Dosing

General Medication Facts:

Fever reducers should only be used under 2 months of age under a doctor's supervision.
READ THE LABEL CLOSELY FOR PROPER DOSING OF FEVER REDUCERS. A NEW VERSION WILL NOT HAVE THE INFANT DROPPER, BUT WILL HAVE A SYRINGE DOSING DEVICE. There will be a time that BOTH strengths are available in stores. Updated Dec 2011.
See charts below for Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen weight-specific doses. Use age only if weight is not known.
Do not use Ibuprofen under 6 months of age.
Do not alternate Acetaminophen with Ibuprofen.
Cold medications have not been proven to be beneficial in young children, may prolong colds and may predispose to ear infections. We do not recommend any use under 6 years of age.
Cough suppressants should not be used under 12 years of age or in children with asthma. Honey has been shown to be a better cough suppressant than medications – use honey only in children over 1 year.
Medication ingredients may change without changing the name or packaging, so please cross reference any dose with dosing that is listed on the bottle.
Do not use medications to stop vomiting or diarrhea unless directed by your physician after a careful exam.
We do not recommend any menthol products (i.e. Vicks), especially dangerous under 6 months of age. A vaporizer without medication is very helpful.
See our Cough and Colds page or Vomiting and Diarrhea page for more treatment options.
Use only measured syringes or medication cups to give medications - your cereal spoon is NOT a teaspoon! See our How to Use a Medication Syringe page for more information.

Fever Reducers

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Fever All) Do not give more than 5 times in a 24-hour period. Dose based on last known weight, if one known. Use in infants under 2 months only under doctor's supervision. NEW ACETAMINOPHEN FOR INFANTS COMES WITH A SYRINGE. READ THE LABEL CLOSELY FOR PROPER DOSING. Updated Dec 2011

Weight	OLD Version Infant Drops
5-8 lbs	0.4 ml
9-10 lbs	0.6 ml
11-16 lbs	0.8 ml
17-21 lbs	1.2 ml
22-26 lbs	1.6 ml

Weight	NEW Version Children's or Infant Liquid (160mg/ 5ml)
6-11 lbs	1.25 ml
12-17 lbs	2.5 ml
18-23 lbs	3.75 ml
24-35 lbs	5 ml
36-47 lbs	7.5 ml
48-59 lbs	10 ml
60-71 lbs	12.5 ml
72-95 lbs	15 ml
96+ lbs	20 ml

Ibuprofen:

Weight	Dosage in mg	Advil/Motrin Drops (50mg/1.25ml)	Children's liquid (100mg/5ml)	Chewable tablets (50mg)	Jr Strength Caps or Chews (100mg each)	Adult tablets (200 mg)
9-10 lbs	25mg	0.625ml	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
11-16 lbs	50mg	1.25ml	2.5 ml	N/A	N/A	N/A
17-21 lbs	75 mg	1.875ml	3.75 ml	N/A	N/A	N/A
22-26 lbs	100 mg	1.875ml + 0.625 ml = 2.5ml	5 ml	2 tab	1 tab	N/A
27-32 lbs	125 mg	3.125 ml	6.25 ml	2.5 tab	1 tab	N/A
33- 37 lbs	150mg	3.75 ml	7.5 ml	3 tab	1.5 tab	N/A
38-42 lbs	175 mg	N/A	8.75 ml	3.5 tab	1.5 tab	N/A
43-53 lbs	200 mg	N/A	10 ml	4 tab	2 tab	1 tab
54-64 lbs	250 mg	N/A	12.5ml	5 tab	2.5 tab	1 tab
65-75 lbs	300 mg	N/A	15ml	6 tab	3 tab	1.5 tab
76-86 lbs	350 mg	N/A	17.5 ml	7 tab	3.5 tab	1 tab
87-95 lbs	400 mg	N/A	20 ml	8 tab	4 tab	2 tab
>95 lbs	adult dosing	N/A	20 ml	8 tab	4 tab	2 tab

Allergy Medications: We do not recommend using combination products (the addition of a decongestant to the antihistamine).

Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

Adults and children 6 years and over: 5-10 mg per day.

· Tablets, Chewables, and Caplets: ½ to 1 once/day.

· Liquid: 1 teaspoonful (5 mL) or 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mL) once daily depending upon severity of symptoms; do not take more than 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mL) in 24 hours.

Children 2 to under 6 years of age: 2.5-5mg per day.

· Syrup: ½ teaspoonful (2.5 mL) once daily. If needed, dose can be increased to a maximum of 1 teaspoonful (5 mL), once daily, or ½ teaspoonful (2.5 mL) every 12 hours. Do not give more than 1 teaspoonful (5 mL) in 24 hours.

· Chewable tablets: ½ chewable tablet once daily. May increase to a full tablet for severe symptoms.

Children 6 months to 23 months: 1.25 – 2.5 mg/day

· Syrup: 1/4 teaspoonful (1.25 mL) once daily. If needed, dose can be increased to a maximum of ½ tsp (2.5 ml) once daily or ¼ tsp (1.25ml) twice/day. Do not give more than ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) in 24 hours unless directed by a physician.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Adults and children 12 years and over:

· Liqui-gels or tablet: 1-2 capsules every 4-6 hours.

· Dissolve strip: 2 strips every 4-6 hours, give 2^nd strip after 1^st dissolves.

· Liquid: 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mL) every 4- 6 hours.

Children 6 years to 11 years:

· Liqui-gels or tablet: 1 capsule every 4-6 hours.

· Dissolve strip: 1 strip every 4-6 hours.

· Liquid: 1 teaspoonful (5 mL) or 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mL) every 4-6 hours.

Children 2 to under 6 years of age:

· Liquid: ½ teaspoonful (2.5 mL) every 4-6 hours. If needed, dose can be increased to a maximum of 1 teaspoonful (5 mL), every 4-6 hours.

Children 6 months to 23 months:

· Liquid: 1/4 teaspoonful (1.25 mL) every 4-6 hours.

Fexofenadine (Allegra)

Adults and children 12 years of age and older:

· Syrup: Take 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mL) every 12 hours; do not take more than 4 teaspoonfuls (20 mL) in 24 hours

· Tablets: One 180 mg tablet with water once a day; do not take more than 1 tablet in 24 hours

· Syrup: 1 teaspoonful (5 mL) every 12 hours; may increase to 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mL) in 24 hours for severe symptoms

Loratidine (Claritin, Alavert)

Adults and children 6 years and over: 5-10 mg per day.

· Tablets, Orally disintegrating, and Caplets: ½ to 1 once/day.

· Liquid: 1 teaspoonful (5 mL) or 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mL) once daily depending upon severity of symptoms; do not take more than 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mL) in 24 hours.

Children 2 to under 6 years of age: 2.5-5mg per day.

· Orally disintegrating tablets: ½ chewable tablet once daily. May increase to a full tablet for severe symptoms.

Children 6 months to 23 months: 1.25 – 2.5 mg/day

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