How to Alternate Tylenol & Motrin for a Fever
Tylenol and Motrin can be very effective at reducing fever in infants, children and adults, but taking the two simultaneously is not advised 1. To achieve best results, the medications may be administered alternately. Directions must be followed carefully when alternating Tylenol and Motrin to prevent complications and/or overdose 1.
Instructions
Calculate desired dosage of Motrin according to patient’s age and weight, as indicated on bottle 2. Document correct dosage in notebook, for reference.
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Calculate desired dosage of Tylenol according to patient’s age and weight, as indicated on bottle 1. Document dosage in notebook, for reference.
Administer desired dose of Motrin to patient, and document the time given in notebook.
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Wait four hours after Motrin dose, then administer desired dose of Tylenol to patient, and document the time given in notebook 1.
Wait four hours after Tylenol dose, and then administer desired dose of Motrin to patient 1. Document the time in notebook.
Continue alternating Tylenol and Motrin every four hours, documenting the time of each dose, until fever is gone and temperature has returned to normal 1.
Tips
Monitor temperature every four hours when administering medication to check effectiveness of medication.
Warnings
Motrin may not be given more than four times within 24 hours. Tylenol may not be given more than six times within 24 hours. Check for interactions between Tylenol and Motrin and any other medications you may be taking with an interaction checker such as the one found on drugs.com.
- Calculate desired dosage of Motrin according to patient’s age and weight, as indicated on bottle 2.
- Wait four hours after Motrin dose, then administer desired dose of Tylenol to patient, and document the time given in notebook 1.
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References
Tips
- Monitor temperature every four hours when administering medication to check effectiveness of medication.
Warnings
- Motrin may not be given more than four times within 24 hours.
- Tylenol may not be given more than six times within 24 hours.
- Check for interactions between Tylenol and Motrin and any other medications you may be taking with an interaction checker such as the one found on drugs.com.
Writer Bio
Sarah Leslie Gagan is a registered nurse with more than 10 years experience as a freelance writer and medical communicator, and 20 years of nursing experience. Gagan is currently executive editor at Regeneration Publishing LLC in Bartlesville, Okla. She attended Oral Robers University in Tulsa, Okla. and received an associate degree in nursing from Regents College in Albany, N.Y.