Tylenol and Motrin are two of the most commonly used medicines for children, and they can be a parent’s best friend when your kiddo is feeling under the weather.
But when fever, headache, sore throat or other aches and pains strike, it’s not always easy to know which medication to reach for – and even harder to know how much to give.
What can Tylenol and Motrin help with?
Tylenol is a brand name for acetaminophen, while Motrin and Advil are brand names for ibuprofen. Both medicines can reduce fever and relieve pain, including headaches, sore throats, muscle aches and pain from minor injuries.
They treat symptoms rather than the underlying illness. For example, if your child has a viral infection, these medications may help them feel more comfortable while their body fights the infection.
Ibuprofen is also an anti-inflammatory medication, which means it can help with inflammation as well as pain and fever.
Does my child really need medicine for a fever?
The short answer is…not necessarily.
A fever is one of the body’s ways of responding to an infection, and you don’t always need to treat it. If your child has a fever but is drinking fluids, acting normally and otherwise doing OK, they may not need fever-reducing medicine.
However, if your child is achy, uncomfortable, having trouble resting or sleeping, or isn’t drinking enough fluids because they feel lousy, Tylenol or Motrin may help them feel more comfortable.
The goal isn’t necessarily to get your child’s temperature back to normal. It’s to ease their symptoms while their body does the heavy lifting to fight the illness.
Fever check
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a baby under 3 months with a temperature of 100.4°F or higher should be seen by a health care provider right away. You should never give fever-reducing medicine to a baby under 3 months unless directed by their health care provider.
For older children, seek medical care if a fever is accompanied by concerning symptoms, lasts longer than expected or you’re simply worried about how your child is doing.
How much Tylenol or Motrin can my child take?
When it comes to kids’ medicine, the right dose depends on your child’s weight, the medication and its concentration. Because children the same age can weigh very different amounts, weight is generally a better guide than age alone.
Here are some general dosing guidelines:
- For Tylenol (acetaminophen), children younger than 12 may generally take a dose every four hours as needed, with no more than five doses in 24 hours.
- For Motrin (ibuprofen), dosing is also based on weight and can generally be given every six to eight hours as needed. Ibuprofen should not be given to children younger than 6 months unless their health care provider specifically recommends it.
Dose by weight. When possible, use your child’s current weight – not their age – to determine the right dose. Always check the medication’s Drug Facts label because concentrations and dosing instructions can vary.
Should I alternate between Tylenol and Motrin?
It’s best not to routinely alternate Tylenol and Motrin unless a health care provider recommends it. Using two medications on a schedule can make it easier to lose track of which medicine was given, when it was given and how much – increasing the risk of an accidental overdose.
Instead, use one medication at a time and follow the recommended dosing schedule. If a health care provider recommends alternating medications, ask for clear instructions on the dose and timing for each.
How can I give my child medicine safely?
Before giving your child Tylenol or Motrin – or any other medication – always:
- Check the label. Make sure you're using the correct medication, concentration and recommended dose.
- Use the right measuring device. For liquid medicine, use the syringe or dosing cup that comes with the product. Skip the kitchen spoon – it's not an accurate way to measure medicine.
- Keep track of doses. Write down the medication, amount and time it's given, especially if more than one caregiver is giving medicine.
- Watch for duplicate ingredients. Some cold and flu medicines also contain acetaminophen or other pain relievers. Check the active ingredients before giving your child another medication.
- Keep medications out of reach. Store medicines in a secure location where children cannot access them.
- Know when to get help. If your child develops a rash, swelling, trouble breathing or another concerning reaction after taking either medication, seek medical care right away.
If you think your child may have received too much medicine, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance.
How can I make medicine time less of a struggle?
Getting medicine down the hatch isn’t always easy. These tips may help:
- Use an oral syringe for liquid medicine and aim the syringe toward the inside of the cheek rather than squirting it straight toward the back of the throat.
- Give your child some control when possible. For instance, let them choose whether to take the medicine before or after a drink of water.
- For older children, explain what the medicine is for in simple, age-appropriate terms.
- Ask your pharmacist or health care provider whether the medication can safely be mixed with a small amount of food or liquid. Don't mix medication into a full bottle or cup in case your child doesn't finish it.
- Ask whether a different formulation, such as a chewable tablet, may be appropriate for your child's age.
- Stay calm, focused and matter-of-fact. Children can pick up on a parent's anxiety around medication.
If your child repeatedly refuses medication or vomits after taking a dose, ask a health care provider or pharmacist what to do rather than automatically giving another dose.
Can urgent care help me figure out the right dose?
When the medicine cabinet leaves you with more questions than answers, Indigo Urgent Care can help take the guesswork out of what to give, how much to give and whether your child needs to be seen.
One of our clinicians can evaluate your child’s symptoms and answer any questions about symptom relief and medication dosage.
When a trip to the clinic isn’t necessary, Indigo Virtual Care lets you meet face-to-face with a board-certified clinician from the comfort of home.
Whether you meet in person or virtually, care is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, including holidays and weekends. Walk in to one of our convenient locations or book a same-day or next-day appointment online.
If your child is experiencing a medical emergency – such as trouble breathing, severe lethargy, a seizure or another life-threatening symptom – always call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department rather than urgent care.
