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Sonja Brownlee, MD.
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Last Updated 1/2010

The information contained on this web site is not a substitute for direct examination and treatment by a physician. If any of this material is unclear or confusing, or if you have additional questions or concerns, please call the office at 778-6762. 

Disclaimer:Sonja Brownlee,M.D. cannot endorse all links presented on the website as they may link to unrelated third-party websites.

OTC Pain and Fever Medicine Guide

The following medications are currently discussed on this page:

Acetaminophen
Ibuprofen

For other types of medications click here.

Just because a medication can be obtained without a prescription - over the counter (OTC) - it is not without risk!  It may not be safe to use.  It may not do what the label claims it will do.  It may cause more harm than good!  Always consider which is worse – the medicine or the symptom.

Please use the medications according to the general advice given, and at the appropriate dose, and at the appropriate frequency.  If these directions are not clear to you, please do not give your child the medicine until you have called our office for clarification.

In order to keep track of the times and doses of medication you have given your child, you may want to keep a record.  Click here to view or print a Medicine Tracking Form. You will need Acrobat Reader to view and print this form.  If you do not have  Acrobat Reader you may download it by clicking here.

Generics are just as good to use as brand name, and usually about half the price. Just be sure to check and compare the small print or Active Ingredients list for the scientific names, milligram (mg) amounts, and alcohol content.

Medications containing alcohol are not recommended for children.

Also, compare concentrations and dosage recommendations. Do not use a medicine dropper from one medication for dosing a different medication!

 

Acetaminophen
(Tylenol, Tempra, Liquiprim, Panadol . . . . . )

• For fevers higher than 102 F (38.9 C) and preferably only if your child is also uncomfortable.

• At the correct dosage and frequency.  Do not exceed the maximum dose in 24 hours.

• During waking hours.  Do not awaken your child from sleep to give fever medications.

• Alternating acetaminophen with ibuprofen should only be done if instructed to do so by a physician.  There is usually no greater benefit and it can cause confusion, dosage errors, and increase the risk of poisoning.

• Do not use a dropper from one brand to give another brand.  Always check the mg (milligram) amount per dropper or ml. - ½ dropper usually means 0.4 ml or 40 mg.  A full dropper usually means 0.8 ml or 80 mg.

• Avoid aspirin.  It has been linked to Reye’s Syndrome (a severe encephalitis-like illness) when given to children with Chicken Pox or Influenza (any cold, cough, or sore throat symptoms).

Acetaminophen Dosage (For Fever and Pain)
(dosing by weight is more accurate than dosing by age)
Do not give to children younger than 2 months of age even if weight is >10 pounds.
May be given every 4-6 hours, but do not exceed 5 doses in a 24 hour period.

• The dosage is 5-7 mg/pound/dose (10-15 mg/kg/dose).
  
• Generic brands are fine and less expensive. Just be sure to check the concentrations and convert your dose accordingly. Do not use a medicine dropper from one brand for dosing another brand. They may be based on different concentrations of medicine.

Ibuprofen
(Motrin, Advil)

• For fevers higher than 102 F (38.9 C) and preferably only if your child is also uncomfortable.

• At the correct dosage and frequency.  Do not exceed the maximum dose in 24 hours.

• During waking hours.  Do not awaken your child from sleep to give fever medications.

• Alternating acetaminophen with ibuprofen should only be done if instructed to do so by a physician.  There is usually no greater benefit and it can cause confusion, dosage errors, and increase the risk of poisoning.

• Do not use a dropper from one brand to give another brand.  Always check the mg (milligram) amount per dropper or ml. - ½ dropper usually means 0.4 ml or 40 mg.  A full dropper usually means 0.8 ml or 80 mg.

• Avoid aspirin.  It has been linked to Reye’s Syndrome (a severe encephalitis-like illness) when given to children with Chicken Pox or Influenza (any cold, cough, or sore throat symptoms).

Ibuprofen Dosage (For Fever and Pain)
(dosing by weight is more accurate than dosing by age)
Do not give to children younger than 6 months of age even if weight is >14 pounds.*
May be given every 6-8 hours.

• The dosage is 3-5 mg/pound/dose (5-10 mg/kg/dose).
• Generic brands are fine and less expensive. Just be sure to check the concentrations and convert your dose accordingly. Do not use a medicine dropper from one brand for dosing another brand. They may be based on different concentrations of medicine.