Tylenol vs. Motrin: Which Pain and Fever Medicine Should You Use for Your Child?
Key takeaways:
Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen) are over-the-counter (OTC) medications that help lower fever and relieve pain in children. They’re similarly effective, and can also be used together if needed.
Both Tylenol and Motrin have dosing recommendations based on your child’s age and weight. Pay attention to the form of medication you’re using. Not all forms contain the same amount of medication, which may change the dose your child needs.
Both medications have side effects and interactions to be aware of. So it’s best to talk to your child’s healthcare provider about what OTC pain and fever medication is best for them.
Navigating the over-the-counter (OTC) aisles to choose a pain or fever medication for your sick child can be overwhelming. Sometimes, it may feel like there are too many options. And it’s hard to know which is best.
Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen) are two common brands of OTC medication that help relieve pain and lower fevers. But they contain different ingredients and both come in several different versions. Understanding how they’re different can help you make the best choice for your child.
What’s the difference between infant and children’s Tylenol?
There’s no difference between the infant and child version of liquid Tylenol. Older forms of infant Tylenol did have a different amount of medication in them (80 mg in 0.8 mL). These products have been discontinued and should be thrown away if you still have them on hand.
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Tylenol is available for children as an oral liquid, dissolvable powder, and chewable tablet. Infant Tylenol is only available as an oral liquid. All child and infant Tylenol products contain 160 mg of acetaminophen per dose. However, they do come with different measuring devices. Infant Tylenol comes with a dosing syringe, and children’s Tylenol comes with a dosing cup.
Good to know: Children’s and infants’ Tylenol contain the same amount of medication per dose. This means you can switch between products without changing the dose.
The recommended dosing guidelines are detailed in the chart below.
| Age | Weight (lbs) | Infants’ Tylenol 160 mg/5ml |
Children’s Tylenol 160 mg/5ml |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 24 months | Less than 24 lbs | Ask your child’s healthcare provider | |
| 2-3 years | 24-35 lbs | 5 mL | 5 mL |
| 4-5 years | 36-47 lbs | 7.5 mL* | 7.5 mL |
| 6-8 years | 48-59 lbs | 10 mL* | 10 mL |
| 9-10 years | 60-71 lbs | 12.5 mL* | 12.5 mL |
| 11 years | 72-95 lbs | 15 mL* | 15 mL |
*Doses not listed on packaging
What’s the difference between infants’ and children’s Motrin?
Infants’ Motrin has a higher concentration than children’s Motrin. A high concentration means there’s more ibuprofen in a smaller amount of liquid. This makes it easier for infants to swallow.
Children’s Motrin contains 100 mg of ibuprofen per 5 mL. Infants’ Motrin contains 200 mg per 5 mL — it’s twice as strong. So make sure you know which form you’re using in order to measure the right dose for your child.
Infants’ Motrin also comes with a special syringe to help with measuring the dose. It’s recommended only to use the syringe that comes with that product. A different type of syringe could result in giving too much or too little Motrin.
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Good to know: Because the medication concentration of infants’ and children’s Motrin differs, the recommended dose will vary for each product. You can’t switch between products without changing the dose. This also applies to infants’ and children’s Advil (another brand-name version of ibuprofen).
The different dosing guidelines for these two products are detailed in the chart below.
| Age | Weight (lbs) | Infants’ Motrin 200 mg/5 mL |
Children’s Motrin 100 mg/5 mL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6 months | Ask your child’s healthcare provider | ||
| 6 - 11 months | 12 - 17 lbs | 1.25 mL | — |
| 12 - 23 months | 18 - 23 lbs | 1.875 mL | — |
| 2 - 3 years | 24 - 35 lbs | 2.5 mL* | 5 mL |
| 4 - 5 years | 36 - 47 lbs | 3.75 mL* | 7.5 mL |
| 6 - 8 years | 48 - 59 lbs | 5 mL* | 10 mL |
| 9 - 10 years | 60 - 71 lbs | 6.25 mL* | 12.5 mL |
| 11 years | 72 - 95 lbs | 7.5 mL* | 15 mL |
*Doses not listed on packaging
Which is better — Tylenol or Motrin?
Both medications are similarly effective at reducing pain and lowering fever. But there are some differences between them. You can give Tylenol every 4 to 6 hours, with no more than 5 doses in 24 hours. You can give Motrin less often; giving doses every 6 to 8 hours, with no more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
Motrin may cause more stomach-related side effects than Tylenol. And too much Motrin can harm the kidneys, while too much Tylenol can damage the liver. They also both have drug interactions to be aware of. So if your child is taking other medications, talk to their healthcare provider about which is OK to take.
Can you alternate Tylenol and Motrin for your child’s fever or pain?
Yes. Since Tylenol and Motrin have different ingredients and work in different ways, you can take both. But it’s best not to give them at the same time. Instead, you can alternate between them.
Typically, you would only alternate between Tylenol and Motrin if your child’s pain or fever is not controlled with either one alone. And it’s always best to check with your child’s provider before doing so.
The general rule is to give a dose of each medication every 6 hours, separating the two medications by 3 hours. For instance, if you give a dose of Tylenol at 8 AM, you’d give a dose of Motrin at 11 AM (3 hours apart). The second Tylenol dose would be at 2 PM (6 hours from the first dose), followed by Motrin at 5 PM. But there are several ways to alternate between these two medications, so it's best to talk to your child’s provider first. They can help guide how often to give each medication based on your child’s specific needs.
How do I determine the dose for my child if they are under 2 or over 12 years of age?
Even though infants’ Motrin includes dosing instructions for ages 6 months to 2 years, it’s not always the best choice for your child. For children under 2, it is best to talk with your child’s provider for guidance first.
For most children ages 12 and older, you can follow the adult dosage. It’s fine for older children to use an adult product, such as tablets or gel caps. If a child has trouble swallowing pills, you can still give them a liquid product. Just know that the dose will be large, and you may go through the bottle quickly.
Can I give my child baby aspirin for fever or pain?
No. Even though it’s called baby aspirin, it’s not for babies. It’s a low dose aspirin that’s typically used for heart attack and stroke prevention in adults.
Children who receive aspirin can develop Reye's Syndrome, a serious and sometimes fatal side effect that causes swelling in the liver and brain.
Can I use a regular spoon to give my child their medicine?
No. You shouldn’t use household silverware to give your child their medicine. These spoons aren’t calibrated, which means they may not measure an accurate dose for your child.
Most liquid OTC products will come with their own measuring device. But you can also buy calibrated medical measuring spoons or cups at most pharmacies. You can even get dosing pacifiers, droppers, or syringes, which may make giving your child their medication easier.
If you’re having trouble finding a dosing spoon, talk to your pharmacist. They’ll often have extras behind the pharmacy counter or can help you find one that’s safe to use.
Can you give acetaminophen suppositories if your child is throwing up?
Yes. If your child can’t keep oral medication down, rectal suppositories are a helpful alternative. FeverAll is a common brand of OTC acetaminophen suppositories. Generic forms are also available. Ibuprofen suppositories, though, aren’t currently an option.
Talk to your child’s healthcare provider before using acetaminophen suppositories. They may want to see your child to be sure the vomiting isn’t a sign of something more serious. And if your child took oral Tylenol or Motrin before vomiting, let their provider know. They may want you to wait before starting the suppositories.
Acetaminophen suppositories may be kept behind the pharmacy counter. So ask your pharmacist if you’re having trouble finding them. They’re available in three doses, and the dose depends on your child’s age.
FeverAll Product | Age | Dose |
Infant | 6-36 months | 80 mg |
Children | 3-6 years | 120 mg |
Jr. Strength | 6-12 years | 325 mg |
When should I call my healthcare provider if my child has a fever?
Fevers are usually a sign that your child’s body is fighting off an infection. While most fevers go away with time, you should seek medical care right away if your child has:
A fever above 100.4°F and is less than 2 months old
A fever above 104°F, regardless of their age
Seizures
A fever that isn’t getting better after a day or two
Signs of confusion or are difficult to wake up
Signs of dehydration (crying with no tears, peeing less)
A stiff neck, headache, or rash
The bottom line
Tylenol and Motrin are two OTC medications for pain and fever in children. They work similarly well, and you can alternate between them if needed. Pay close attention to the dosing for the form of medication you have. The infant and child versions of the medication may not have the same amount of medication. And be sure to use the included dosing spoon to measure liquid medication. If you have questions about treating pain or fever for your child, speak with their healthcare provider or your pharmacist for guidance.
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References
Children’s Hospital of Orange County. (2023). Acetaminophen vs. ibuprofen: A guide for parents.
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (2023). Childrens motrin- ibuprofen suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (2023). Childrens tylenol- acetaminophen powder [package insert]. DailyMed.
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (2023). Childrens tylenol- acetaminophen suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (2023). Childrens tylenol- acetaminophen tablet, chewable [package insert]. DailyMed.
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (2023). Infants tylenol- acetaminophen suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (2023). Motrin infants- ibuprofen suspension/ drops [package insert]. DailyMed.
Paul, I. M., et al. (2021). Acetaminophen and ibuprofen in the treatment of pediatric fever: A narrative review. Current Medical Research and Opinion.
Pierce, C. A., et al. (2010). Efficacy and safety of ibuprofen and acetaminophen in children and adults: A meta-analysis and qualitative review. Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-assessed Reviews.
Taro Pharmaceuticals U. S. A., Inc. (2020). Feverall childrens- acetaminophen suppository [package insert].
Younas, E., et al. (2023). Correct administration aid for oral liquid medicines: Is a household spoon the right choice? Frontiers in Public Health.
