Correct Dosing of Acetaminophen (Tylenol™) for Children

Notes:

1.     Know the weight of your child. Medicine doses are determined by weight in children.

2.     Choose the appropriate type of acetaminophen for your child’s weight. There are several different options when choosing acetaminophen and these options may have different concentrations of the medicine, meaning that 0.5 cc of one bottle may have a different amount of acetaminophen than 0.5 cc of another bottle.

3.     Record the time and amount of each dose that you give. Acetaminophen may be given every 4-6 hours with a maximum of 5 doses within 24 hours.

4.     Do NOT give acetaminophen if your child is not uncomfortable from his/her fever. A fever is actually beneficial to your child’s body and will also encourage your child to slow down, another helpful tactic.

5.     Do NOT give acetaminophen in children under 3 months of age. An infant 3 months or younger with a fever needs to be evaluated by a physician.

Measurement Facts:

1.     ml=mL=cc

2.     5 cc= 1 tsp

Acetaminophen Products:

1.     Infant concentrated drops (80 mg/0.8 ml)- comes with a dropper attached to the top. Appropriate for an infant 6-11 lbs.

2.     Children’s suspension liquid and elixir (160 mg/5 ml)- measured with a teaspoon or a plastic measuring cup that comes with the bottle. May need to use measuring syringe if used for infants.

3.     Suppositories (80, 120, 325 and 650 mg)- may be cut in half to get desired dose. Acetaminophen suppositories must be kept in the refrigerator.

4.     Children’s soft chews chewable tablets (80 mg each)- child must be able to chew without choking. Tablets can be broken in half to give 40 mg.

5.     Junior strength chewable tablets (160 mg each)- be sure to note the difference in strength between the children’s chewable and the junior chewable.

6.     Adult strength tablets/caplets (325 mg or 500 mg each)- do not give in a child younger than 12 years of age.

7.     Adult strength tablets/caplets extended release (650 mg each)- do not give in any child as these are 8 hour extended- release.

Table adapted from SelfCare.Net

May repeat every 4-6 hours if needed. Do NOT give more than 5 times a day. Remember: if your child is NOT uncomfortable with a fever, do NOT give acetaminophen.