INFANT ACETAMINOPHEN AND IBUPROFEN DOSAGE
CHANGE
Manufacturers are changing the amount
(concentration) of acetaminophen and ibuprofen in medicines for infants.
These new concentrations will have different dosage directions. During the
transition, you may find both concentrations on store shelves and in your
home.
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What you need to know
The medicine label for children under 2
years of age instructs you to call your doctor for dosing directions. At the
end of this page, you will find a link to dosage instructions page to guide
you in giving the correct dosage to your infant or child. Please read this
entire page before clicking on the link.
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How can I tell what concentration I have?
| Find the concentration for the medicine
on the front of the medicine bottle. Infant acetaminophen will be either 80mg/0.8mL (old infant drops) or
160mg/5mL (new infant drops).
Children's liquid acetaminophen will also be 160mg/5mL. Infant
ibuprofen will be either 50mg/1.25mL (old infant drops) or 100mg/5mL (new infant drops). Children's liquid ibuprofen will also be
100mg/5mL. Once you have found what concentration you have, you can
use the link to the dosage page to determine the proper dosage for your
child.
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Important
Information:
1. Give
dose based on your child's weight. If you don't
know the weight, you may call us and we will tell you your child's last weight
measurement.
2. Do
not give more medication than recommended.
3. If
you have questions about dosing or any other concern, please call us.
4. Keep
medicines out of the reach of children
5. Always
use a proper measuring device. For example:
1.
When giving infant drops, use
only the dosing device (dropper or syringe) enclosed in the package.
2.
When giving children's
suspension or liquid, use the dosage cup enclosed in the package (kitchen
spoons are not accurate measures).
6. We
generally recommend using a single medication for fever control. If you try
either medication and your child has not received adequate relief (remember
relief of discomfort is the primary reason for using either medication, not
fever reduction), then try the other medication when he is due for the next
dose. If neither medication is giving your child adequate relief, you may try
giving both medicines however this is generally not needed. If you do give both
medicines, you may alternate them at 3 hour intervals. Be aware that this
schedule increases the chance of stomach upset.
Giving the proper dose of medication to your child
Click
here: Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen Dosing
to determine the proper dose of medication for your child
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