Drug	Usual Dose for Adults and Children ≥50 kg Body Weight	Usual Dose for Adults and Children1 <50 kg Body Weight
Orally Administered Acetaminophen and Over-the-counter NSAIDs
acetaminophen2	650 mg q 4 h	10–15 mg/kg q 4 h
	975 mg q 6 h	15–20 mg/kg q 4 h (rectal)
aspirin3	650 mg q 4 h	10–15 mg/kg q 4 h
	975 mg q 6 h	15–20 mg/kg q 4 h (rectal)
ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)	400–600 mg q 6 h	5–10 mg/kg q 4–6 h
magnesium salicylate (Doan’s, Magan, Mobidin, others)	650 mg q 4 h
naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)	250–275 mg q 6–8 h	5 mg/kg q 8 h
naproxen sodium (Anaprox)	275 mg q 6–8 h
Prescription NSAIDs
carprofen (Rimadyl)	100 mg tid
choline magnesium trisalicylate4 (Trilisate)	1,000–1,500 mg q 6–8 h	25 mg/kg q 6–8 h
choline salicylate4 (Arthropan)	870 mg q 3–4 h
diflunisal5 (Dolobid)	500 mg q 12 h
etodolac (Lodine)	200–400 mg q 6–8 h
fenoprofen calcium (Nalfon)	300–600 mg q 6 h
ketoprofen (Orudis)	25–60 mg q 6–8 h
ketorolac tromethamine6 (Toradol)	10 mg q 4–6 h to a maximum of 40 mg/day
	IV administration should not exceed 5 days
meclofenamate sodium7 (Meclomen)	50–100 mg q 6 h
mefenamic acid (Ponstel)	250 mg q 6 h
sodium salicylate (Anacin, Bufferin)	325–650 mg q 3–4 h
Parenteral NSAIDs
ketorolac tromethamine6,8 (Toradol)	60 mg initially, then 30 mg q 6 h
	IV administration should not exceed 5 days

IV = intravenous; q = every.

1. Acetaminophen and NSAID dosages for adults weighing less than 50 kg should be adjusted for weight.

2. Acetaminophen lacks the peripheral anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet activities of the other NSAIDs.

3. The standard against which other NSAIDs are compared. May inhibit platelet aggregation for longer than 1 week and may cause bleeding. Aspirin is not recommended for pain in children.

4. May have minimal antiplatelet activity.

5. Administration with antacids may decrease absorption.

6. Use limited to 5 days or fewer.

7. Coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia has been associated with prolonged use.

8. Has the same gastrointestinal toxic effects as oral NSAIDs.

[Note: Only the above NSAIDs have FDA approval for use as simple analgesics, but clinical experience has been gained with other drugs as well.]