Avertissement médical
This calculator is for informational purposes only and does NOT replace professional medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician before administering medications. Doses shown are general guidelines based on standard weight-based protocols.
Child Medication Dosage Calculator
Use your most recent accurate weight measurement. Toggle between pounds and kilograms.
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Age is used to check age-based restrictions (e.g. ibuprofen not for under 6 months).
Select the product you have at home. Liquid doses are shown in mL and teaspoons.
Enter how many hours ago you last gave this medication to see if another dose is safe.
Enter Your Child's Weight
Enter your child's weight and age, then select a medication to see the recommended dose in mL, teaspoons, and mg.
Comment Utiliser Ce Calculateur
Enter Your Child's Weight
Weigh your child on a scale and enter the value. Toggle between pounds and kilograms using the unit button. Use your most recent accurate weight — dosing accuracy depends on an up-to-date weight, especially for infants who gain weight rapidly.
Enter Age and Select Medication
Enter your child's age in years and months. Age is used to check age-based restrictions — for example, ibuprofen is not recommended under 6 months, and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is not recommended for children under 2 years. Then select the medication you want to give from the dropdown.
Choose the Formulation
Select the specific product form you have at home — Children's Liquid, Chewable Tablets, or Adult Tablets. The calculator automatically uses the correct concentration for each formulation. Children's liquid acetaminophen is 160 mg per 5 mL; children's liquid ibuprofen is 100 mg per 5 mL.
Read the Results and Print
Review the dose in mL and teaspoons (for liquids) or tablet count. Check the safety chart to confirm the dose is within the therapeutic range. Optionally enter how many hours ago the last dose was given to see when the next dose is safe. Use the Print Card button to save a printed reference for nighttime use.
Questions Fréquemment Posées
Can I give acetaminophen and ibuprofen at the same time?
No — you should not give them at exactly the same time, but many pediatricians recommend alternating them for high or persistent fevers. Because acetaminophen and ibuprofen work differently, alternating them can help keep fever under control longer than using just one. A common schedule is to give one medication, then the other 3 hours later, continuing to alternate every 3 hours. However, this approach should always be discussed with and confirmed by your pediatrician before trying it — it is not appropriate for all children, and you must track each dose carefully to avoid exceeding daily limits for either medication.
Why is ibuprofen not recommended for babies under 6 months?
The FDA restricts ibuprofen use to children 6 months and older because infants' kidneys are not mature enough to safely process NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen. In very young infants, ibuprofen can cause kidney injury and has not been established as safe. For fever management in infants under 6 months, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the recommended OTC option — but any fever in a baby under 3 months should prompt an immediate call to your doctor, as it may indicate a serious infection requiring medical evaluation.
Why should I use a syringe instead of a teaspoon?
Kitchen teaspoons vary widely in actual volume — anywhere from 3 mL to 7 mL depending on the spoon. The standard measurement teaspoon is 5 mL, but a typical kitchen spoon may hold significantly more or less. For liquid medications, even small measurement errors can mean under-dosing (ineffective) or over-dosing (potentially harmful). Always use the oral dosing syringe or calibrated cup that comes with the medication. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist for a free oral syringe — they are widely available. Oral syringes allow accurate measurement to the nearest 0.1 mL.
What should I do if I accidentally gave too much?
If you believe you have given too much of any medication to your child, contact Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222 (US), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — acetaminophen overdose, for example, may not show symptoms for 24 hours but can cause serious liver damage if not treated promptly. If your child is unconscious, having difficulty breathing, or having seizures, call 911 immediately. Keep the medication bottle handy when you call so you can report the exact product, concentration, and amount given.
Does Benadryl (diphenhydramine) help with colds in children?
No. Studies have consistently shown that diphenhydramine and other antihistamines do not reduce cold symptoms in children and are not recommended for colds in children under 4 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against using over-the-counter cold and cough medications in children under 4 years of age because they are ineffective and can cause side effects including sedation, paradoxical excitability, rapid heart rate, and difficulty urinating. Diphenhydramine is appropriate for allergic reactions and hives in children 2 years and older but should be used with caution and under a doctor's guidance.
What is the difference between Zyrtec and Claritin for kids?
Both cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin) are second-generation antihistamines used to treat seasonal allergies, hives, and runny nose in children 2 years and older. The main difference is that cetirizine may cause drowsiness in some children, while loratadine is considered non-drowsy for most children. Both are dosed once daily. For ages 2–5, cetirizine is 2.5 mg and loratadine is 5 mg. For ages 6–11, cetirizine is 5 mg and loratadine is 5 mg. Ages 12 and up receive 10 mg of either medication. Neither medication has approved weight-based dosing — they are dosed by age group. If your child's allergies are severe or not controlled by one antihistamine, consult your pediatrician for alternatives.