Health Encyclopedia

Acetaminophen dosing for children

Description

Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol and other brands) can help children with colds and fever feel better. As with all drugs, it is important to give children the correct dose. Acetaminophen is safe when taken as directed. But, taking too much of this medicine can be harmful.

Alternative Names

Tylenol

How Acetaminophen Can Help Your Child

Acetaminophen is used to help:

• Reduce aches, pain, sore throat, and fever in children with a cold or the flu
• Relieve pain from a headache or toothache

Proper Dosing of Liquids and Tablets

Children's acetaminophen can be taken as liquid or chewable tablet.

If your child is under age 2 years, check with your health care provider before giving your child acetaminophen.

To give the correct dose, you will need to know your child's weight.

You also need to know how much acetaminophen is in a tablet, teaspoon (tsp), or 5 milliliters (mL) of the product you are using. You can read the label to find out.

• For chewable tablets, the label will tell you how many milligrams (mg) are found in each tablet, such as 80 mg per tablet.
• For liquids, the label will tell you how many mgs are found in 1 tsp or in 5 mL, such as 160 mg/1 tsp or 160 mg/5 mL.

For syrups, you will need some type of dosing syringe. It may come with the medicine, or you can ask your pharmacist. Make sure to clean it out after each use.

If your child weighs 24 to 35 lbs (10.9 to 15.9 kilograms):

• For syrup that says 160 mg/5 mL on the label: Give a dose: 5 mL
• For syrup that says 160 mg/1 tsp on the label: Give a dose: 1 tsp
• For chewable tablets that say 80 mg on the label: Give a dose: 2 tablets

If your child weighs 36 to 47 lbs (16 to 21 kilograms):

• For syrup that says 160 mg/5 mL on the label: Give a dose: 7.5 mL
• For syrup that says 160 mg/1 tsp on the label: Give a dose: 1 ½ tsp
• For chewable tablets that say 80 mg on the label: Give a dose: 3 tablets

If your child weighs 48 to 59 lbs (21.5 to 26.5 kilograms):

• For syrup that says 160 mg/5 mL on the label: Give a dose: 10 mL
• For syrup that says 160 mg/1 tsp on the label: Give a dose: 2 tsp
• For chewable tablets that say 80 mg on the label: Give a dose: 4 tablets

If your child weighs 60 to 71 lbs (27 to 32 kilograms):

• For syrup that says 160 mg/5 mL on the label: Give a dose: 12.5 mL
• For syrup that says 160 mg/1 tsp on the label: Give a dose: 2 ½ tsp
• For chewable tablets that say 80 mg on the label: Give a dose: 5 tablets
• For chewable tablets that say 160 mg on the label: Give a dose: 2 ½ tablets

If your child weighs 72 to 95 lbs (32.6 to 43 kilograms):

• For syrup that says 160 mg/5 mL on the label: Give a dose: 15 mL
• For syrup that says 160 mg/1 tsp on the label: Give a dose: 3 tsp
• For chewable tablets that say 80 mg on the label: Give a dose: 6 tablets
• For chewable tablets that say 160 mg on the label: Give a dose: 3 tablets

If your child weighs 96 lbs (43.5 kilograms) or more:

• For syrup that says 160 mg/5 mL on the label: Give a dose: 20 mL
• For syrup that says 160 mg/1 tsp on the label: Give a dose: 4 tsp
• For chewable tablets that say 80 mg on the label: Give a dose: 8 tablets
• For chewable tablets that say 160 mg on the label: Give a dose: 4 tablets

You may repeat the dose every 4 to 6 hours as needed. DO NOT give your child more than 5 doses in 24 hours.

If you are not sure how much to give your child, call your provider.

Proper Dosing of Suppositories

If your child is vomiting or will not take oral medicine, you can use suppositories. Suppositories are placed in the anus to deliver medicine.

You can use suppositories in children older than 6 months. Always check with your provider before giving any medicine to children under 2 years old.

This medicine is given every 4 to 6 hours.

If your child is 6 to 11 months:

• For infant suppositories that read 80 milligrams (mg) on the label: Give a dose: 1 suppository every 6 hours
• Maximum dose: 4 doses in 24 hours

If your child is 12 to 36 months:

• For infant suppositories that read 80 mg on the label: Give a dose: 1 suppository every 4 to 6 hours
• Maximum dose: 5 doses in 24 hours

If your child is 3 to 6 years:

• For children's suppositories that read 120 mg on the label: Give a dose: 1 suppository every 4 to 6 hours
• Maximum dose: 5 doses in 24 hours

If your child is 6 to 12 years:

• For junior-strength suppositories that read 325 mg on the label: Give a dose: 1 suppository every 4 to 6 hours
• Maximum dose: 5 doses in 24 hours

If your child is 12 years and over:

• For junior-strength suppositories that read 325 mg on the label: Give a dose: 2 suppositories every 4 to 6 hours
• Maximum dose: 6 doses in 24 hours

Giving Medicine to Children

Make sure you do not give your child more than one medicine that contains acetaminophen as an ingredient. For example, acetaminophen can be found in many cold remedies. Read the label before giving any medicine to children. You should not give medicine with more than one active ingredient to children under age 6 years.

When giving medicine to children, also be sure to follow important child medicine safety tips.

If Your Child Takes Too Much

Be sure to post the number for the poison control center by your phone. If you think your child has taken too much medicine, call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. It is open 24 hours a day. Signs may include nausea, vomiting, tiredness, and abdominal pain.

Go to the nearest emergency room. Your child may need:

• To get activated charcoal. Charcoal stops the body from absorbing the medicine. It has to be given within an hour, and it does not work for every medicine.
• To be admitted to the hospital so they can be watched closely.
• Blood tests to see what the medicine is doing.
• To have their heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure monitored.

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your provider if:

• You are not sure about the dose of medicine to give your infant or child.
• You are having trouble getting your child to take medicine.
• Your child's symptoms do not go away when you would expect them to go away.
• Your child is an infant and has signs of illness, such as fever.

References

Healthychildren.org website. American Academy of Pediatrics. Acetaminophen dosage table for fever and pain. www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/Pages/Acetaminophen-for-Fever-and-Pain.aspx. Updated October 21, 2021. Accessed February 7, 2023.

Nield LS, Kamat D. Fever. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 201.

Theobald JL, Kostic MA. Poisoning. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 77.

Review Date:10/22/2022
Reviewed By:Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.