As fevers are the body's most basic defense mechanism against infections, we only recommend treating the patient with medication IF the patient is uncomfortable. For example, if your child has a 104 fever and acting normal (feeding well, playful, interactive) then no medication is needed. If, however, your child is at 99 or 100 and has chills, aches, pains, and cannot get comfortable using parental soothing techniques, then medication would be advised to comfort the child. In other words, the medication is not necessarily used to treat the fever, it is used to treat discomfort. Our bodies NEED the high temperature to rid ourselves of whatever virus or bacteria is causing us to be sick.
That being said, below are the dosage schedules, if medication is needed.
Tylenol (liquid)
Given 4 - 6 hours
Weight Dosage
6-12 pounds 1.25 mL=40 mg
12-17.5 pounds 2.5 mL=80 mg
17.5-23 pounds 3.75 mL=120 mg
23-29 pounds 5.0 mL=160 mg
29-35 pounds 6.25 mL=200 mg
35-41 pounds 7.5 mL=240 mg
41-47 pounds 8.75 mL=280 mg
47-53 pounds 10 mL=320 mg
53-58.5 pounds 11.25 mL=360 mg
58.5-64.5 pounds 12.5 mL=400 mg
64.5-70.5 pounds 13.75 mL=440 mg
70.5-76 pounds 15 mL=480 mg
76-82 pounds 16.25 mL= 520 mg
82-88 pounds 17.5 mL=560 mg
88-94 pounds 18.75 mL=600 mg
>94 pounds 20 mL=640 mg
Advil/Motrin (liquid)
Given 6 - 8 hours
Weight Dosage
5.5-11 pounds 1.25 mL=25 mg
11-16.5 pounds 2.5 mL=50 mg
16.5-22 pounds 3.75 mL=75 mg
22-27.5 pounds 5.0 mL=100 mg
27.5-33 pounds 6.25 mL= 125 mg
33-38.5 pounds 7.5 mL=150 mg
38.5-44 pounds 8.75 mL=175 mg
44-49.5 pounds 10 mL=200 mg
49.5-55 pounds 11.25 mL=225 mg
55-60.5 pounds 12.5 mL=250 mg
60.5-66 pounds 13.75 mL=275 mg
66-71.5 pounds 15 mL=300 mg
71.5-76 pounds 16.25 mL=325 mg
76-81.5 pounds 17.5 mL=350 mg
81.5-87 pounds 18.75 mL=375 mg
>87 pounds 20 mL=400 mg
