Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Preparations

There is a risk of accidental overdose when using ibuprofen or acetaminophen containing products due to different concentrations of infant drops and infant liquid for both preparations. The most common ibuprofen containing products are Advil and Motrin. This risk is due to the availability of different concentrations of liquid ibuprofen. This is similar to the risk of accidental overdose for acetaminophen products that contain different concentrations of acetaminophen.

We suggest parents only use ibuprofen liquid products that contain a concentration of 100mg ibuprofen/ 5ml of liquid. This concentration on the label is listed as 100mg/5ml. Discard liquid formulations that contain an infant’s concentration 50mg/1.25ml.

We suggest you only use acetaminophen liquid products that contain a concentration of 160mg/5ml of liquid. This concentration is listed on the label as 160mg/5ml. Discard liquid formulations that contain an infant concentration (drops) of 80mg/ 0.8ml

Here is a summary of ibuprofen medications you might find on a shelf:

Infant drops: 50 mg (1.25 ml) per dropper / 1.875 ml (50 mg) per syringe (shake well before using). Note: The drops come with either a dropper or a syringe, depending on the brand. DISCARD!

Children’s liquid: 100 mg (5 ml) per teaspoon (shake well before using)

Children’s chewables: 50 mg each

Junior-strength chewables or caplets: 100 mg each

Adult regular-strength tablets: 200 mg each

For acetaminophen products we suggest only using the new infant liquid and old children’s liquid concentration of 160mg/5ml. Discard liquid formulations that contain an infant’s concentration of 80mg/0.8ml. These were the old infant drops.

Here is a summary of acetaminophen medications you might find on a shelf:

Infant drops: 80 mg/0.8 ml per dropper (shake well before using). DISCARD!

New infant liquid: 160 mg/5 ml per included syringe (shake well before using)

Children’s liquid: 160 mg/5 ml per teaspoon (shake well before using)

Children’s chews or meltaways: 80 mg each

Junior-strength chews or meltaways: 160 mg each

Adult regular-strength tablets: 325 mg each

We suggest you discard the old infant drops that contain 80mg/0.8ml so you do not make a mistake with the liquid preparation