Health & Wellness

OTC Medications Dosing

Acetaminophen: Every 4-6 Hours as needed

Weight (lbs) Weight (kg) Dose (mg) Liquid (160 ml/5 ml)
Dose (ml)
8-12 3.6-5.3 60 1.8
12-17 5.4-7.7 80 2.5
18-23 8.1-10.4 120 3.75
24-35 10.9-15.9 160 5
36-47 16.3-21.3 240 7.5
48-59 21.8-26.8 320 10
60-71 27.2-32.3 400 12.5
72-95 32.7-43.1 480 15
 100+
 50+
 One or two 500 mg tablets every 6 hours as needed not to exceed 8 tablets (4 grams) a day.


Ibuprofen: Every 6 Hours as needed

Weight (lbs) Weight (kg) Dose (mg) Liquid Dose
(100ml / 5ml)
18-23 8.1-10.4 75 3.75
24-35 10.9-15.9 100 5
36-47 16.3-21.3 150 7.5
48-59 21.8-26.8 200 10
60-71 27.2-32.3 250 12.5
72-95 32.7-43.1 300 15
 100+ 50+
 Two 200mg tablets every 6 hours —
Note: Ibuprofen should not be given routinely to infants under 6 months of age.


Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Dosage Table

Weight (lbs) Liquid 12.5 mg/ 5 mililiters (mL) Liquid 12.5 mg/ 1 teaspoon (tsp) Chewable 12.5 mg Tablets 25 mg Capsules 25 mg
20-24 4 3/4 -- -- --
25-37 5 1 1 1/2 --
38-49 7.5 1 1/2 1 1/2 1/2 --
50-99 10 2 2 1 1
100+ -- -- 4 2 2

Author: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D., FAAP.