As fears of a tripledemic are realized and cases of RSV, flu, and COVID-19 soar across the country, many parents are reporting trouble finding children’s Tylenol, Motrin, and other fever-reducing medications in stores and online. Amazon has limited stock, while Walgreens’ and CVS’ websites are continuously out of stock.
But is there a shortage of Children’s Tylenol, Motrin, and similar medications? If you’re having difficulty finding children’s over-the-counter fever reducers, you’re not alone. But, as far as a shortage is concerned, the answer is actually a little complicated. Here’s what you need to know.
Is there a shortage of Children’s Tylenol and Motrin?
It depends on who you ask. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shares information online about drug shortages that have been reported to the agency. Currently, the FDA is not reporting any shortages of Children’s Tylenol or its generic name of acetaminophen, and there are also no reports of shortages of Children’s Motrin or its generic name ibuprofen.
But the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), which analyzes information from manufacturers and other sources, notes that some forms of oral ibuprofen are in shortage. The organization also lists acetaminophen suppositories as being in shortage but, it’s important to note, most children take the medication orally.
“ASHP tends to be slightly ahead of the FDA reporting on shortages,” says Stephanie Field, M.B.A., director of pharmacy business operations at Corewell Health West. “If ASHP shares it, then it will soon be on the FDA list.”
Doctors have witnessed the shortage as well. “Ibuprofen liquid and chewable tablets have been difficult to obtain,” says Joanna Young, Pharm.D., clinical pharmacy specialist at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. “Acetaminophen suppositories and liquid have also been difficult to obtain.”
Michael Bauer, M.D., medical director and pediatrician at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, agrees. “Despite no official shortage of these medications, there are some local shortages of these medications reported by our clinicians and families seeking them,” he says.
As a result, Young says, “we have taken several measures to try to ensure we can still supply to all of our patients. For example, we have recommended that providers use chewable tablets when able to reserve the liquid for patients that are not able to use tablets, such as infants.”
Why is it hard to find Children’s Tylenol and Motrin right now?
Since there’s no official shortage, it’s hard to know for sure. However, there are a few theories. “Tylenol is used regularly to treat fevers in pediatrics and there is an increase in pediatric illness as we have seen with RSV,” Field says.
People may also be buying more of these medications to be prepared in case their child becomes sick, says Danelle Fisher, M.D., a pediatrician and chair of pediatrics at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. “People are buying it because they’re nervous and seeing more respiratory illness in other kids,” she says. “When there are times when you know things could get bad, people tend to stock up.”
Is it OK to use adult Tylenol and Motrin for kids?
Experts advise against this. “Adult medications should not be used as an alternative,” Field says. Why? The dosage is different and it’s easy to get it wrong when shifting from an adult dose to a pediatric dose, Dr. Fisher points out. “This makes me nervous because there can be an overdosage of acetaminophen, which can affect the liver,” she says. “You want to be very careful with what you’re doing.”
Dr. Fisher also notes this: “When we talk about adult doses, it’s not necessarily one-to-one with children’s medications.”
What should you do if you can’t find Children’s Tylenol or Motrin?
Dr. Fisher stresses that, if your child has a fever, you don’t necessarily need to give them medication. “Fever is not a bad thing—it’s a good thing,” Dr. Fisher says. “It’s an adaptive way of the body getting rid of whatever germs it has.”
Instead, she recommends that you “treat discomfort,” like if your child has a headache or feels achy, tied to a fever. “That is worth treating,” Dr. Fisher says. “But if your child is happy, eating well, and drinking well, I don’t care what the number is on the thermometer—you don’t have to treat it.”
It’s important to note that not all doctors share this outlook, and not every child’s health is the same. Be sure to consult your physician before making treatment decisions.
Still, there are a few other options for medication. King suggests looking into pediatric chewable and oral dissolving tablets, provided your child is old enough for these. (Usually, these are recommended for children ages two and up.)
Suppositories are also typically an option, Dr. Fisher says, but some acetaminophen suppositories are currently in shortage, per the ASHP. “It’s also possible to crush chewable tablets and give them in pudding, apple juice, or applesauce,” says Jamie Alan, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. (She just recommends that you consult your pediatrician before going this route.)
Dr. Fisher recommends considering generic versions of your go-to medications as well, if they’re available. “You do not have to have brand names—you can have generic,” she says. “It’s exactly the same active ingredients.”
And, if larger stores around you don’t have the medication you need, Dr. Fisher recommends visiting smaller shops in your area. “Sometimes the neighborhood stores don’t have the shortages that the bigger stores do,” she says.
Finally, you can talk to your pediatrician or local pharmacist for advice, Field says—they may be able to direct you to a store that has your medication in stock.
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
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