Medication Dosages
Get confused on how much over-the-counter medicine to give your child?
Check out our helpful charts!
Check out our helpful charts!
There are two basic types of pain medication: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Motrin & Advil). Both work to relieve moderate aches and pains as well as lower almost any fever. Both come in chewable tablets and liquids, however only Tylenol comes in a suppository form. Although acetaminophen and ibuprofen accomplish the same goals, they are different chemicals so you can alternate between them or even use them together. Both medicines can be given on an empty stomach, since kids aren’t prone to acidity. Side effects are almost nonexistent with appropriate doses, so check out our reference charts below to make sure.
It's Snot For That!
Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen should not be given to relieve congestion or runny noses, unless it is marketed as a 'Cold Remedy'. In these cases the medicine is supplemented with some decongestants. Shelby Pediatrics does not recommend these medications for children! Dark honey by mouth (in children over 1 year of age) is a safe and natural alternative that has been shown to decrease night time cough with colds and viruses...Plus its tastes great! [Ages 1-5 years 1/2 tsp, ages 6-12 years 1 tsp, and over 12 years 2 tsp].
How Often?? How Long??
You can safely repeat the acetaminophen dose every four hours; it’s every six with ibuprofen. If needed, you can safely administer these two drugs for several days in a row in the recommended doses, as long as you have addressed the cause of your child’s discomfort or fever.
As useful as both medications are, try to use them sparingly, not because they don’t work or have side effects, but because they can either suppress symptoms that help an illness run its course or make it trickier to follow the course of an illness. Fever, for example, helps get rid of viruses and may also indicate that an illness is worsening.
Also, DO NOT give these medicines if you are coming into the office to be seen. They will hide the fever and some symptoms may not be as prominent during the check up.
The tables below provide recommended dosage charts for acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil). Here are some important general guidelines for using these products:
Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen should not be given to relieve congestion or runny noses, unless it is marketed as a 'Cold Remedy'. In these cases the medicine is supplemented with some decongestants. Shelby Pediatrics does not recommend these medications for children! Dark honey by mouth (in children over 1 year of age) is a safe and natural alternative that has been shown to decrease night time cough with colds and viruses...Plus its tastes great! [Ages 1-5 years 1/2 tsp, ages 6-12 years 1 tsp, and over 12 years 2 tsp].
How Often?? How Long??
You can safely repeat the acetaminophen dose every four hours; it’s every six with ibuprofen. If needed, you can safely administer these two drugs for several days in a row in the recommended doses, as long as you have addressed the cause of your child’s discomfort or fever.
As useful as both medications are, try to use them sparingly, not because they don’t work or have side effects, but because they can either suppress symptoms that help an illness run its course or make it trickier to follow the course of an illness. Fever, for example, helps get rid of viruses and may also indicate that an illness is worsening.
Also, DO NOT give these medicines if you are coming into the office to be seen. They will hide the fever and some symptoms may not be as prominent during the check up.
The tables below provide recommended dosage charts for acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil). Here are some important general guidelines for using these products:
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can be used for allergic reactions, hives, and to reduce the itching and redness associated with certain rashes.