Pediatric Dosing Instructions

in Lawrenceville, NJ

Mom giving her young son medication for fever

Pediatric Dosing Instructions

in Lawrenceville, NJ

Helpful dosing guidance for common children’s medicines

Medication dosing for children is usually based on your child’s current weight, not age alone. Delaware Valley Pediatric Associates provides these pediatric dosing charts as a general resource for families using common over-the-counter children’s medicines.

Always read the medication label carefully, confirm the medicine strength, and use the dosing syringe, dropper, or cup that comes with the medicine. Do not use kitchen spoons for medicine dosing.

If you are unsure what medicine to give, how much to give, or whether your child should be seen, please call Delaware Valley Pediatric Associates before giving medication.

Call DVPA: 609-896-4141
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
Emergency: Call 911

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Important Disclosure

The following dosing charts are provided for general educational purposes only and are intended for otherwise healthy children. Medication recommendations may vary based on your child’s age, weight, medical history, symptoms, allergies, and other medications.

These charts do not replace medical advice from your child’s pediatrician. Always follow the instructions from your child’s healthcare provider. If you are unsure about the correct medication, dose, timing, or whether your child should be seen, call Delaware Valley Pediatric Associates before giving medicine.

For accidental overdose, medication error, or possible poisoning, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If your child has trouble breathing, has a seizure, cannot be awakened, or appears seriously ill, call 911.

Medication Safety

Before Giving Your Child Medicine

Use this checklist before giving any over-the-counter medication. If you are unsure what to give, how much to give, or whether your child should be seen, please call Delaware Valley Pediatric Associates.

Dose medicine based on your child’s current weight whenever possible
Use milliliters, or mL, whenever possible
Use the dosing syringe, dropper, or medicine cup that comes with the medication
Do not use kitchen spoons for medicine dosing
Check the active ingredient before giving more than one medicine
Do not give more than the recommended dose
Do not give doses more often than recommended
Do not give ibuprofen to babies younger than 6 months unless directed by a doctor
Call DVPA before giving acetaminophen to a baby younger than 3 months
Never give aspirin to a child unless directed by your pediatrician
Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if you think your child received too much medicine

Fever & Pain

Acetaminophen Dosing Chart

Common brand: Tylenol
Common use: Fever and mild pain
Common liquid concentration: 160 mg / 5 mL

Important: Call DVPA before giving acetaminophen to a baby younger than 3 months. Do not combine multiple medicines that contain acetaminophen.

Child’s Weight Liquid 160 mg / 5 mL Chewable 160 mg Tablets Adult 325 mg Tablets Adult 500 mg Tablets
6-11 lbs 1.25 mL Do not use Do not use Do not use
12-17 lbs 2.5 mL Do not use Do not use Do not use
18-23 lbs 3.75 mL Do not use Do not use Do not use
24-35 lbs 5 mL 1 tablet Do not use Do not use
36-47 lbs 7.5 mL 1 1/2 tablets Do not use Do not use
48-59 lbs 10 mL 2 tablets 1 tablet Do not use
60-71 lbs 12.5 mL 2 1/2 tablets 1 tablet Do not use
72-95 lbs 15 mL 3 tablets 1 1/2 tablets 1 tablet
96+ lbs 20 mL 4 tablets 2 tablets 1 tablet

 

Frequency: Follow the product label or pediatrician guidance. Do not give more than directed.

Fever, Pain & Inflammation

Ibuprofen Dosing Chart

Common brands: Motrin, Advil
Common use: Fever, pain, and inflammation
Common children’s liquid concentration: 100 mg / 5 mL
Common infant drops concentration: 50 mg / 1.25 mL

Important: Do not give ibuprofen to babies younger than 6 months unless directed by a physician. Avoid ibuprofen if your child is dehydrated, vomiting repeatedly, has kidney disease, or has been told to avoid NSAIDs.

Child’s Weight Infant Drops 50 mg / 1.25 mL Children’s Liquid 100 mg / 5 mL Chewable 100 mg Tablets Adult 200 mg Tablets
Under 12 lbs Call DVPA Call DVPA Do not use Do not use
12-17 lbs 1.25 mL 2.5 mL Do not use Do not use
18-23 lbs 1.875 mL 3.75 mL Do not use Do not use
24-35 lbs Do not use 5 mL 1 tablet Do not use
36-47 lbs Do not use 7.5 mL 1 1/2 tablets Do not use
48-59 lbs Do not use 10 mL 2 tablets 1 tablet
60-71 lbs Do not use 12.5 mL 2 1/2 tablets 1 tablet
72-95 lbs Do not use 15 mL 3 tablets 1 1/2 tablets
96+ lbs Do not use 20 mL 4 tablets 2 tablets


Frequency: Every 6 to 8 hours as needed, unless your pediatrician gives different instructions. Do not give more than 4 doses in 24 hours unless directed by a physician.

Allergy Symptoms

Diphenhydramine Dosing Chart

Common brand: Benadryl
Common use: Allergic reactions, hives, itching, and nasal allergies
Common liquid concentration: 12.5 mg / 5 mL

Important: Diphenhydramine should not be used for colds and should not be given to children under 6 unless directed by a doctor. Do not use diphenhydramine to make a child sleepy.

Child’s Weight Liquid 12.5 mg / 5 mL Chewable 12.5 mg Tablets Tablet 25 mg Capsule 25 mg
20-24 lbs 4 mL Do not use Do not use Do not use
25-37 lbs 5 mL 1 tablet 1/2 tablet Do not use
38-49 lbs 7.5 mL 1 1/2 tablets 1/2 tablet Do not use
50-99 lbs 10 mL 2 tablets 1 tablet 1 capsule
100+ lbs 20 mL 4 tablets 2 tablets 2 capsules


Frequency: Follow pediatrician guidance. Some pediatric references list every 6 hours as needed.

Seasonal Allergies

Cetirizine Dosing Chart

Common brand: Zyrtec
Common use: Seasonal allergies, itching, and hives
Common liquid concentration: 1 mg / mL or 5 mg / 5 mL

Important: Use only age-appropriate children’s products. Call DVPA before using allergy medicine in young children, combining allergy medicines, or using allergy medicine for symptoms that may be more serious.

Age Dose Liquid Amount Frequency Notes
6-23 months 2.5 mg 2.5 mL Once daily Use only as directed. Contact DVPA with questions.
2-5 years 2.5-5 mg 2.5-5 mL Once daily Start with the lower dose unless directed otherwise.
6+ years 5-10 mg 5-10 mL or age-appropriate tablet Once daily Follow the product label or pediatrician guidance.


Frequency: Usually once daily. Follow the product label or pediatrician guidance.

Seasonal Allergies

Loratadine Dosing Chart

Common brand: Claritin
Common use: Seasonal allergies, nasal allergies, eye allergies, hives, and itching
Common liquid concentration: 5 mg / 5 mL

Important: Loratadine should be used for allergy symptoms, not for colds. Do not use for children under 2 unless directed by a doctor.

Age Liquid 5 mg / 5 mL Chewable 5 mg Tablets Tablet 10 mg Frequency
Under 2 years Do not use unless directed by doctor Do not use Do not use Call DVPA
2-5 years 2.5 mL Do not use Do not use Once daily
6-11 years 5 mL 1 tablet Do not use Once daily
12+ years 10 mL 2 tablets 1 tablet Once daily


Frequency: Once daily. Follow the product label or pediatrician guidance.

Cough & Cold Safety

Cough and Cold Medicine Safety

Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are not always recommended for young children. The FDA warns that children under age 2 should not be given cough and cold products containing decongestants or antihistamines because serious side effects can occur. Manufacturers also label many cough and cold products not to be used in children under age 4.

Important: For many children, supportive care is safer and more helpful than multi-symptom cold medicine. If you are unsure what is safe for your child, please call Delaware Valley Pediatric Associates before giving medication.

Supportive Care for Cold Symptoms

Fluids
Rest
Saline nose drops or spray
Gentle suctioning for infants
Cool mist humidifier
Honey for cough only if your child is over 1 year old
Fever or pain medicine when appropriate
Call DVPA if your child has trouble breathing, symptoms that are worsening, signs of dehydration, persistent fever, ear pain, severe sore throat, or if you are unsure what is safe.

When to Call

When to Call DVPA Before Giving Medicine

If you are unsure what medicine to give, how much to give, or whether your child should be seen, please call Delaware Valley Pediatric Associates before giving medication.

Situation Why You Should Call
Your baby is younger than 3 months and has a fever Young infants need medical guidance for fever.
Your child is younger than 6 months and you are considering ibuprofen Ibuprofen is not recommended under 6 months unless directed by a physician.
You do not know your child’s current weight Pediatric dosing is often weight-based.
Your child is vomiting repeatedly or may be dehydrated Some medicines may not be appropriate, and dehydration may need medical evaluation.
Your child has trouble breathing Breathing concerns should be evaluated promptly.
Your child has a chronic medical condition Some medicines may not be safe depending on the condition.
Your child takes prescription medication Over-the-counter medicines can interact with other medications.
You are considering more than one over-the-counter medicine Some products contain overlapping active ingredients.
Symptoms are worsening or not improving Your child may need an exam or a different care plan.
You are unsure what to give or how much to give The safest next step is to call for guidance.

Trusted Sources

American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren
AAP parent guidance for acetaminophen, ibuprofen, diphenhydramine, and medication safety.

St. Louis Children’s Hospital Dosing Tables
Published pediatric dose tables for acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, and loratadine.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Safety guidance on over-the-counter cough and cold medicine use in young children.

Poison Control
For possible overdose, medication mistake, or accidental ingestion: 1-800-222-1222.