First, the only reason to treat fever (unless your child has a seizure disorder) is to relieve discomfort for the child. Fever does not harm anyone; it only makes them feel bad. The important thing is to know the cause of the fever. Sometimes this can be done over the phone and sometimes it requires a visit to the office. If your child has been evaluated and determined to have a cause for the fever that is not serious, then treating fever is just part of symptom management. When giving medications to your child for fever, “treat the child, not the number.” If your child is feeling fine or sleeping soundly and has fever, there is no reason to treat unless your doctor has told you otherwise. Moreover, there is no number at which fever becomes dangerous to a child. Yes, that includes over 105 degrees. You should contact us if your child has a fever that high, but it is not dangerous and does not automatically mean that you need to go to the emergency room.

When treating fever, a good strategy is to start with ibuprofen (if your child is over six months old). Ibuprofen tends to work better and last longer than acetaminophen. Wait one hour. If your child feels better, then you do not need to give anything more. If, however, he or she still feels bad, then give acetaminophen. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are different medications and do not have to be spaced apart from one another. But you must make sure that you do not give acetaminophen more than every four hours or ibuprofen more than every six hours.

 

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Note: New concentration for infants. In accordance with FDA recommendations, acetaminophen manufactures have changed the concentration of infant acetaminophen from 80mg/0.8ml to 160mg/5ml. Be aware that there may be both the old and new concentrations of infants’ acetaminophen products available in stores and in medicine cabinets. The pediatric acetaminophen products currently on the market can continue to be used as labeled. Be sure to check the label or contact our office should you have questions.

Do not exceed 5 doses in 24 hrs.

May Give Every

10-11 lbs.

12-17 lbs.

18-23 lbs.

24-35 lbs.

36-47 lbs.

48–59 lbs.

60–85 lbs.

Infant or Children’s (Suspension) 160 mg / 5 mL

4 Hours

2 mL

2.5 mL

4 mL

5 mL

7.5 mL

10 mL

12.5 mL (15 mL if over 72 lbs.)

Chewable or Meltaway Junior 160 mg

4 Hours

 

 

 

 

 

2 tab.

12.5 mL (15 mL if over 72 lbs.)

Chewable or Meltaway 80 mg Tablets

4 Hours

 

 

 

2 tab.

3 tab.

4 tab.

5 tab. (6 tab. if over 72 lbs.)

Suppository 120 mg

4 Hours

 

 

1 supp.

1 ½ supp.

 

 

 

Suppository 325 mg

4 Hours

 

 

 

1 ½ supp.

¾ supp.

1 supp.

 

Suppository 80 mg

4 Hours

 

1 supp.

1 ½ supp.

2 supp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

 

May Give Every

12-17 lbs.

18-23 lbs.

24-35 lbs.

36-47 lbs.

48–59 lbs.

60–85 lbs.

Chewable Tablets 100 mg

6 Hours

 

 

1 tab.

1 ½ tab.

2 tab.

2 ½ tab.

Chewable Tablets 50 mg

6 Hours

 

 

2 tab.

3 tab.

4 tab.

5 tab.

Drops 50 mg / 1.25 mL

6 Hours

1.25 mL

1.875 mL

2.5 mL

3.75 mL

 

 

Suspension 100 mg / 5 mL

6 Hours

½ tsp.

¾ tsp.

1 tsp.

1 ½ tsp.

2 tsp.

2 ½ tsp.

Tablets 200 mg

6 Hours

 

 

 

 

1 tab.

1 ½ tab.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zyrtec (Cetirizine)

 

6 months < 2-year-old

12 months – 23 months (may increase if needed)

2 years – 5 years old

+ 6 years old

Suspension 5 mg / 5 mL

2.5 mL daily

2.5 mL twice daily

2.5 mL daily – can increase to 5 mL daily if needed

5 – 10 mL daily

Tablet/Chewable Tablet 5 mg

 

½ tablet

1 tablet

1 – 2 tablets daily

Tablet/Chewable Tablet 10 mg

 

 

½ tablet

1 tablet daily