Acetaminophen & Ibuprofen Weight-Based Dosing

Important

• Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are equally effective in treating the symptoms of:
  • Fever
  • Pain
• Ibuprofen is not safe for children less than 6 months of age.
• Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) can be given every 4 hours.
• Ibuprofen (e.g. Motrin or Advil) can be given every 6 hours.
• Please read our fever guide to understand the basics of fever management, and when you should be concerned.
• Please read our guide to understand how fever in the first 90 days of life is different than for older babies and children.

Alternating Tylenol and Motrin

• Only if your child is older than 6 months old.
• You can alternate Tylenol and Motrin every 3 hours if you need to.
  • e.g. Motrin now, 3 hours later give Tylenol. 3 hours later give Motrin. 3 hours later give Tylenol, etc.
• If your child's fussiness and discomfort are returning before they are due for another dose of tylenol or motrin, you can give a dose of the other type of medicine.
  • e.g. My child received tylenol at 2:00 pm, but the fussiness and discomfort have already returned by 5:00 pm. They can't receive another dose of tylenol until 6:00 pm (4 hours after the last dose), but you can give a dose of motrin now.
• Never wake your child to give them a dose of fever medicine.

Weight-Based Dosing Table