Pediatrics of Bartlesville, PLLC
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Acetaminophen (Tylenol®️) Dosage Table
When to Use: Treatment of fever > 102°F and pain.
Caution: Acetaminophen (Tylenol®️) can be found in many prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Read the labels to be sure your child is not getting it from two different products. If you have questions, call us.
Age Limits. Don't use under 12 weeks of age unless told by child's doctor. Reason: fever in the first 12 weeks of life needs to be seen now. If present, your baby needs a medical exam now. Exception: Fever > 102°F starting within 24 hours of vaccines if child is 8 weeks of age or older. Don't give products with more than one ingredient in them (FDA recommendation 2008).
Dose. Find the child's weight in the top row of the dose table. Look below the correct weight for the dose based on the product you have.
Measure the Dose. Syringes and droppers are better to use than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can get a med syringe at a drug store. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. Reason: regular spoons are not reliable. Keep in mind 1 level teaspoon = 5 mL and that ½ teaspoon = 2.5 mL.
How Often. Repeat every 4-6 hours as needed. Don't give more than 5 times a day.
Adult Dose. 650 mg
Brand Names. Tylenol, Feverall (suppositories), generic acetaminophen
Meltaways. Tabs that dissolve come in 80 mg and 160 mg (jr. strength)
Suppositories. Come in 80, 120, 325 and 650 mg. The rectal dose is the same as the dose given by mouth.
Extended-Release. Do not use 650 mg oral products in children. Reason: they are every 8-hour extended-release.
Loratadine (Claritin®️) Dosage Table
When to Use. Treatment of nasal or eye allergies.
Age Limits. For allergies, do not use under 2 years of age. Reason: not FDA approved. For age 2 - 6 years, talk with your child's doctor before using. For colds, not advised at any age. Reason: no proven benefits.
Dose. Find the child's age in the top row of the dose table. Look below the correct age for the dose based on the product you have.
Measure the Dose. Syringes and droppers are better to use than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can get a med syringe at a drug store. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. Reason: regular spoons are not reliable. Keep in mind 1 level teaspoon = 5 mL and that ½ teaspoon = 2.5 mL.
How Often. Give once a day in the morning.
Adult Dose. 10 mg
Brand Names. Claritin, generic loratadine
Plus Side. Causes less sedation than older allergy medicines, like Benadryl and chlorpheniramine. It is long-acting and lasts up to 24 hours.
Cost. Use a store brand of loratadine. Reason: Costs less than brand name, Claritin.
Ibuprofen (Motrin®️, Advil®️) Dosage Table
When to Use. Treatment of fever > 102°F and pain.
Age Limits. Do not use under 6 months of age. Reason: safety not established and not approved by FDA. Do not give products with more than one ingredient in them (FDA recommendation 2008).
Dose. Find the child's weight in the top row of the dose table. Look below the correct weight for the dose based on the product you have.
Measure the Dose. Syringes and droppers are more accurate than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can get a med syringe at drug stores. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. Reason: regular spoons are not reliable. Keep in mind 1 level teaspoon = 5 mL and that ½ teaspoon = 2.5 mL.
Infant Drops. Ibuprofen infant drops come with a syringe.
How Often. Repeat every 6-8 hours as needed.
Adult Dose. 400 mg
Brand Names. Motrin, Advil, generic ibuprofen
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®️) Dosage Table
When to Use. Treatment of allergic reactions, hives, and itching.
Age Limits. For allergies, do not use under 1 year of age. Reason: it causes most babies to be sleepy. For colds, not advised at any age. Reason: no proven benefits. Do not give products with more than one ingredient in them (FDA recommendation 2008).
Dose. Find the child's weight in the top row of the dose table. Look below the correct weight for the dose based on the product you have.
Measure the Dose. Syringes and droppers are more accurate than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can get a med syringe at drug stores. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. Reason: regular spoons are not reliable. Keep in mind 1 level teaspoon = 5 mL and that ½ teaspoon = 2.5 mL.
Adult Dose. 50 mg
How Often. Repeat every 6 hours as needed.
Children's Benadryl Fastmelts. Each fastmelt tablet equals 12.5 mg. They are dosed the same as chewable tablets.
Cetirizine (Zyrtec®️) Dose Table
When to Use. Treatment of nasal or eye allergies.
Age Limits. For allergies, do not use under 2 years of age. Reason: not FDA approved. For AGE 2 - 6 years, talk with your child's doctor before using. For colds, not advised at any age. Reason: no proven benefits.
Dose. Find the child's age in the top row of the dose table. Look below the correct age for the dose based on the product you have.
Measure the Dose. Syringes and droppers are better to use than teaspoons. If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can get a med syringe at a drug store. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. Reason: regular spoons are not reliable. Keep in mind 1 level teaspoon = 5 mL and that ½ teaspoon = 2.5 mL.
How Often. Give once a day in the morning.
Adult Dose. 10 mg
Brand Names. Zyrtec, generic cetirizine
Plus Side. Causes less sedation than older allergy medicines, like Benadryl and chlorpheniramine. It is long-acting and lasts up to 24 hours.
Cost. Use a store brand of cetirizine. Reason: Costs less than brand name, Zyrtec.