Martin D Rudloff, MD.

Fever and its medications

Tylenol (acetaminophen, Tempra, Liquiprim) comes in the following preparations:

drops of 80 mg per 0.8 dropper

elixir and syrups of 160 mg per teaspoon (5cc)

chewable tablets of 80 mg AND 160 mg

jr. strength of 160 mg per tablet

regular adult of 325 mg

extra strength adult of 500 mg

The dose of acetaminophen is roughly 75 mg (one dropper) for every 11 pounds of body weight.

Ibuprofen = Advil = Motrin comes in the following preparations:

drops of 50 ml per dropper

syrup of 100 mg per teaspoon (5 cc)

chewables of 100 mg

pills and caplets of 200 mg

The dose of ibuprofen is 5 to 10 mg for every 22 pounds of body weight (over 6 months of age)

Suppositories are useful for kids who don't take medicine very well or are vomiting. They come in the following doses:

80 mg per suppository

120 mg per suppository

325 mg per suppository.

The dose is the same for the oral medicines

f the fever doesn't come down can I sponge my child to reduce the fever?

Remember that it takes up to 2 hours for fever meds to work. Remember also that fever is not harmful (see alsoFEVER).

You can sponge your child and this will lower the temperature but it is not necessary to do so. Sponging your child is kind of like coming home one winter day, finding your house too warm and deciding to open the doors and windows to cool it off. It will work but it is better to reset the thermostat with fever meds. Do it only if you think it will make your child more comfortable. DO NOT USE ALCOHOL. If you choose to sponge your child use tepid water and rub the skin to promote exchange of heat. Your child may not like this. If sponging makes your child more unhappy than the fever do not do so. Sponging works well only on young children.

Over the counter medications

The doses for over the counter medicines are usually given as adult doses which means for 12 years of age and older and six year old doses. In the past a general rule of thumb commonly used is listed below, however, it is much safer to base doses on a child's body weight. Still for general reference

An average size 12 year old can take an adult dose.

A six year old can take half of an adult dose.

Doses: cc = ml

one half (1/2) teaspoon = 2.5 ml =2.5 cc

three fourths (3/4) teaspoon = 3.5 ml = 3.5 cc

one tsp = 5 ml = 5 cc

one tablespoon = 3 teaspoons = 15 cc