Dosing data for acetaminophen (APAP) and NSAIDs

Pain & HIV/AIDS

Drug Usual dose for adults
and children
> 50 kg body weight Usual dose for children[1]
and adults[2]
< 50 kg body weight

Acetaminophen and over-the-counter NSAIDs

Acetaminophen[3] 650 mg q 4 h
975 mg q 6 h 10-15 mg/kg q 4 h
15-20 mg/kg q 4 h (rectal)

Aspirin[4] 650 mg q 4 h
975 mg q 6 h 10-15 mg/kg q 4 h
15-20 mg/kg q 4 h (rectal)

Ibuprofen (Motrin, others) 400-600 mg q 6 h 10 mg/kg q 6-8 h5 [5]

Prescription NSAIDs

Carprofen (Rimadyl) 100 mg tid

Choline magnesium trisalicylate[6](Trilisate) 1,000-1,500 mg tid 25 mg/kg tid

Choline salicylate (Arthropan)[6] 870 mg q 3-4 h

Diflunisal (Dolobid)[7] 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 tromethamine[8] (Toradol) 10 mg q 4-6 h to a maximum of 40 mg/day

Magnesium salicylate (Doan's, Magan, Mobidin, others) 650 mg q 4 h

Meclofenamate sodium (Meclomen)[9] 50-100 mg q 6 h

Mefenamic acid (Ponstel) 250 mg q 6 h

Naproxen (Naprosyn) 250-275 mg q 6-8 h 5 mg/kg q 8 h

Naproxen sodium (Anaprox) 275 mg q 6-8 h

Sodium salicylate (Generic) 325-650 mg q 3-4 h

Parenteral NSAIDs

Ketorolac tromethamine[8,10] (Toradol) 60 mg initially, then 30 mg q 6 h Intramuscular dose not to exceed 5 days

Drug	Usual dose for adults and children > 50 kg body weight	Usual dose for children[1] and adults[2] < 50 kg body weight
Acetaminophen and over-the-counter NSAIDs
Acetaminophen[3]	650 mg q 4 h 975 mg q 6 h	10-15 mg/kg q 4 h 15-20 mg/kg q 4 h (rectal)
Aspirin[4]	650 mg q 4 h 975 mg q 6 h	10-15 mg/kg q 4 h 15-20 mg/kg q 4 h (rectal)
Ibuprofen (Motrin, others)	400-600 mg q 6 h	10 mg/kg q 6-8 h5 [5]
Prescription NSAIDs
Carprofen (Rimadyl)	100 mg tid
Choline magnesium trisalicylate[6](Trilisate)	1,000-1,500 mg tid	25 mg/kg tid
Choline salicylate (Arthropan)[6]	870 mg q 3-4 h
Diflunisal (Dolobid)[7]	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 tromethamine[8] (Toradol)	10 mg q 4-6 h to a maximum of 40 mg/day
Magnesium salicylate (Doan's, Magan, Mobidin, others)	650 mg q 4 h
Meclofenamate sodium (Meclomen)[9]	50-100 mg q 6 h
Mefenamic acid (Ponstel)	250 mg q 6 h
Naproxen (Naprosyn)	250-275 mg q 6-8 h	5 mg/kg q 8 h
Naproxen sodium (Anaprox)	275 mg q 6-8 h
Sodium salicylate (Generic)	325-650 mg q 3-4 h
Parenteral NSAIDs
Ketorolac tromethamine[8,10] (Toradol)	60 mg initially, then 30 mg q 6 h Intramuscular dose not to exceed 5 days

References:
1. Only drugs that are FDA approved as an analgesic for use in children are included.
2. Acetaminophen and NSAID dosages for adults weighing less than 50 kg should be adjusted for weight.
3. antiplatelet activities of the other NSAIDs.
4. The standard against which other NSAIDs are compared. May inhibit platelet aggregation for >e; 1 week and may cause bleeding. Aspirin is contraindicated in children with fever or other viral disease because of its association with Reye's syndrome.
5. Not FDA approved for use in children as an over-the-counter drug; has FDA approval for us in children as a prescription drug for fever. However, clinicians have experience in prescribing ibuprofen for pain in children.
6. May have minimal antiplatelet activity.
7. Administration with antacids may decrease absorption.
8. For short-term use only.
9. Coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia has been associated with prolonged use.
10. Has the same GI toxicities 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.

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