Fever · Schedule
Alternating Tylenol and Motrin: dose and schedule
Only alternate if your child’s doctor advises it. The usual plan gives acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin) each every 6 hours, 3 hours apart, so your child gets one or the other every 3 hours. That keeps each medicine within its 24-hour limit. Write every dose down, since mix-ups are the main risk.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report · St. Louis Children's Hospital
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What the AAP says
The AAP’s clinical report on fever finds little difference in safety or effectiveness between acetaminophen and ibuprofen. It notes some evidence that combining the two lowers fever more than either alone, but warns that combined treatment is more complicated and may contribute to unsafe use.
If one medicine keeps your child comfortable, you don’t need the second, even if the fever hasn’t fully come down.
Keep a written log
- Write the time, medicine and amount of every dose, and keep the list with the medicines.
- If more than one adult is giving medicine, use one shared log.
- Check cold and flu products for hidden acetaminophen or ibuprofen before giving them too.
Common questions
Can you give Tylenol and Motrin together?
The AAP notes some evidence that combining them lowers fever more than one medicine alone, but warns that it’s more complicated and may lead to unsafe use. Its main advice is to treat for comfort; you don’t need to get the temperature back to normal. Only combine or alternate them if your child’s doctor advises it.
How far apart should I alternate Tylenol and Motrin?
A common plan is to give one medicine, then the other 3 hours later, so each is repeated every 6 hours. That keeps Tylenol at 4 doses a day (limit 5) and Motrin at 4 doses a day (limit 4).
Can my baby have both?
Motrin (ibuprofen) isn’t for babies under 6 months, so alternating doesn’t apply. Under 12 weeks, call the doctor before giving any medicine for a fever.
Sources
- Fever and Antipyretic Use in Children (Sullivan, Farrar). American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report, Pediatrics 2011;127(3):580-587. Checked 2026-09-18.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Dose Table. St. Louis Children's Hospital (Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines). Checked 2026-09-18.
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) Dose Table. St. Louis Children's Hospital (Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines). Checked 2026-09-18.