Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) — Dosage Guide for Children

When to Use

Acetaminophen is used to treat fever and relieve pain in children.

Important Precautions

  • Do not give acetaminophen to babies under 12 weeks old unless a doctor specifically advises it. If a newborn under that age has a fever, they should be examined by a healthcare provider. The only exception is a fever within 24 hours after vaccination in a baby aged 8 weeks or older.
  • For children under 6 years old, avoid giving medicines that contain multiple active drugs (per FDA guidance).
  • Acetaminophen appears in many medicines — always check all medicine labels to avoid accidentally giving more than one acetaminophen-containing product. If unsure, contact your child’s doctor.

How to Determine the Right Dose

  1. Determine your child’s weight (in pounds) — preferably use weight instead of age.
  2. Match the weight to the correct dose in the chart (below), depending on the product form you have (liquid suspension, chewable tablets, adult tablets).
  3. Use a dosing syringe or dropper — these are more accurate than kitchen teaspoons. If using a measuring spoon, note that 1 level teaspoon = 5 mL and ½ teaspoon = 2.5 mL. 

Typical Dosing Schedule

  • Dose every 4–6 hours, as needed.
  • Do not give more than 5 doses in any 24-hour period.

Dosage Table (by weight)

Child’s Weight (lbs)

Liquid Suspension 160 mg/5 mL

Chewable 160 mg tablets

Adult 325 mg tablets*

24 - 355 mL1 tablet–
36 - 477.5 mL1 ½ tablets–
48 - 5910 mL2 tablets1 tablet
60 - 7112.5 mL2 ½ tablets1 tablet
72 - 9515 mL3 tablets1 ½ tablets
96+20 mL (liquid) or 4 tablets (chewable)–2 tablets

 

*Adult tablets are generally only appropriate for older/larger children. 

(Note: If you are using a different formulation — e.g. suppositories, extended-release, or liquid with a different concentration — the dosing will be different. Always check your product’s label.) 

Additional Notes

  • The rectal (suppository) doses — whether 80, 120, 325, or 650 mg — are the same as the recommended oral doses.
  • Avoid using extended-release 650 mg formulations in children (these are designed for slower release over 8 hours).
  • This chart is based on typical U.S. product concentrations — if you are outside the U.S., confirm that the concentration per mL is the same before using this guide.

Ibuprofen (Motrin / Advil) — Dosage Guide for Children

What It’s Used For

Ibuprofen is used to help reduce fever and ease pain in children (for example from colds, flu, aches or minor injuries). 

Key Warnings & When to Use with Care

  • Do not give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old — unless a doctor explicitly recommends it.
  • When possible, dose by the child’s weight rather than age.
  • Use only the measuring device (syringe, dropper or dosing cup) that comes with the medication. Household teaspoons are often inaccurate.
  • If using a teaspoon, note: 1 level teaspoon = 5 mL; ½ teaspoon = 2.5 mL. 

How Often to Dose

  • You may give a dose every 6–8 hours, as needed.
  • Do not exceed 4 doses in any 24-hour period (unless directed by a doctor).

Recommended Dosage by Child’s Weight

Child’s Weight (lbs)

Infant Drops (50 mg / 1.25 mL)

Liquid (100 mg / 5 mL)

Liquid (100 mg / 1 tsp)

100 mg Chewable Tablets

Junior 100 mg Tablets

Adult 200 mg Tablets

12 - 171.25 mL2.5 mL½ tsp–––
18 - 231.875 mL3.75 mL¾ tsp–––
24 - 352.5 mL5 mL1 tsp1 tablet––
36 - 473.75 mL7.5 mL1 ½ tsp1 ½ tablets––
 48 - 59–10 mL2 tsp2 tablets2 tablets1 tablet
 60 - 71–12.5 mL2 ½ tsp2 ½ tablets2 ½ tablets1 tablet
 72 - 95–15 mL3 tsp3 tablets3 tablets1 ½ tablets
96+–20 mL4 tsp4 tablets4 tablets2 tablets

 

Additional Notes

  • Infant drops are supplied with a syringe — use that for accuracy.
  • The dose table assumes U.S. product formulations — if you’re outside the U.S., check that the concentration matches before using it.

Cetirizine (Zyrtec) — Children’s Dosage Guide

What It’s For

Cetirizine is used to relieve allergy-related symptoms in children, such as nasal or eye allergies, hives, itching, and other allergic reactions. It is not recommended for children with colds, as there is no proven benefit.

Important Age & Usage Guidelines

  • Do not give cetirizine to children under 2 years of age for allergy treatment — it is not approved by FDA for that age group.
  • The doses in the chart are based on the child’s age, not weight.
  • For accuracy, use the syringe or dropper provided with the medicine rather than a kitchen teaspoon. If you must use a teaspoon, remember that 1 level teaspoon = 5 mL and ½ teaspoon = 2.5 mL.

How Often to Give

  • Cetirizine should be taken once per day.

Dosage by Age & Formulation

Child’s Age 
(years)

Liquid 
(5 mg per 5 mL)

Liquid 
(5 mg per 1 teaspoon)

5 mg 
Chewable Tablets

10 mg 
Tablets

2 - 52.5 mL½ teaspoon––
6 - 115 mL1 teaspoon1 tablet (5 mg)–
12 and older10 mL2 teaspoons2 tablets (total 10 mg)1 tablet (10 mg)

Other Notes & Considerations

  • The 10 mg dose (chewable or tablet) is considered the “adult/older-child” dose.
  • Because cetirizine remains active for up to 24 hours, a once-daily dose is normally sufficient.
  • Always check the concentration printed on your particular cetirizine product — dose charts are based on standard U.S. formulations.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Benadryl is no longer recommended for allergic reactions; Zyrtec/cetirizine is recommended instead (please see dosage above).