How much acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) can I give my child?

Suzanne Berman, M.D.
When dealing with your child's fever, remember:
For acetaminophen products

If your child weighs

Give this much

Infant drops
(80 mg/0.8 ml) 		Children's syrups
(160 mg/5 ml) 		Chewable tablets
(80 mg/tablet) 		Adult capsule
(325 mg/caps)
6-11 pounds 40 mg 1/2 dropper (0.4 ml) 1/4 tsp ----- -----
12-17 pounds 80 mg 1 dropper (0.8 ml) 1/2 tsp ----- ------
18-23 pounds 120 mg 1 1/2 droppers (1.2 ml) 3/4 tsp ------ -----
24-35 pounds 160 mg 2 droppers (1.6 ml) 1 tsp 2 tablets ------
36-47 pounds 240 mg ------ 1 1/2 tsp 3 tablets ------
48-59 pounds 320 mg ----- 2 tsp 4 tablets 1 capsule
60-71 pounds 400 mg ----- 2 1/2 tsp 5 tablets 1 capsule
72-95 pounds 480 mg ----- 3 tsp 6 tablets 1 capsule
96 pounds and up 650 mg ----- ----- ----- 2 capsules
For ibuprofen products
If your child weighs Give this much Infant drops 100 mg/2.5 ml Children's syrup Children's tablets
50 mg/tablet 		Jr. strength chewables
100 mg/tab
13-17 pounds 50 mg 1/4 tsp 1/2 tsp ----- -----
18-23 pounds 75 mg 1/3 tsp 3/4 tsp ----- ----------
24-35 pounds 100 mg 1/2 tsp 1 tsp 2 tablets -----
36-47 pounds 150 mg 3/4 tsp 1 1/2 tsp 3 tablets -----
48-59 pounds 200 mg 1 tsp 1 3/4 tsp 3 tablets 1 1/2 tablets
60-71 pounds 250 mg ----- 2 1/2 tsp 5 tablets 2 1/2 tablets
72-95 pounds 300 mg ----- 3 tsp 6 tablets 3 tablets
96 pounds and up 400 mg ----- ----- ----- 4 tablets

Due to the risk of Reye syndrome, we do not recommend giving aspirin or aspirin-containing products (such as Pepto-Bismol) to children with fevers.

© Plateau Pediatrics, PLC. Last modified 09/12/09