Acetaminophen
How to give the right amount of ACETAMINOPHEN (also known as Tylenol) is different depending on which medicine you plan to give.
Dose: For products labeled for children and infants, DO NOT GIVE MORE THAN 5 DOSES IN 24 HOURS. For children over 12 years, extra strength tablets/gelcaps can be given every 6 hours. DO NOT GIVE MORE THAN 6 EXTRA STRENGTH TABLETS/GELCAPS IN 24 HOURS. Acetaminophen should not be given to children under two years of age without the guidance of a doctor.
Dose: For products labeled for children and infants, DO NOT GIVE MORE THAN 5 DOSES IN 24 HOURS. For children over 12 years, extra strength tablets/gelcaps can be given every 6 hours. DO NOT GIVE MORE THAN 6 EXTRA STRENGTH TABLETS/GELCAPS IN 24 HOURS. Acetaminophen should not be given to children under two years of age without the guidance of a doctor.
| Weight → | 6 to 11 lb (3–5 kg) |
12 to 17 lb (5–7 kg) |
18 to 23 lb (8–10 kg) |
24 to 35 lb (11–15 kg) |
36 to 47 lb (16–21 kg) |
48 to 59 lb (22–26 kg) |
60 to 71 lb (27–32 kg) |
72 to 95 lb (33–43 kg) |
96 lb or more (44+ kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age → | 0–3 mo | 4–11 mo | 12–23 mo | 2–3 yr | 4–5 yr | 6–8 yr | 9–10 yr | 11 yr | 12+ yr |
| Infants' Acetaminophen (160 mg / 5 mL) | 1.25 mL | 2.5 mL | 3.75 mL | 5 mL | — | — | — | — | — |
| Children's Acetaminophen (160 mg / 5 mL) | — | — | — | 5 mL | 7.5 mL | 10 mL | 12.5 mL | 15 mL | — |
| Children's Acetaminophen Chewables (160 mg) | — | — | — | 1 tablet | 1½ tablets | 2 tablets | 2½ tablets | 3 tablets | — |
| Children's Acetaminophen Dissolvable Packets (160 mg / powder pack) | — | — | — | — | — | 2 packets | 2 packets | 3 packets | — |
| Adults' Acetaminophen Tablets (325 mg; regular strength) | — | — | — | — | — | 1 tablet | 1 tablet | 1 tablet | 2 tablets |
| Adults' Acetaminophen Tablets (500 mg; extra strength) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 tablets |
*Table notes:
- Standardized dosing: In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended liquid, chewable, and tablet forms of acetaminophen be made in just one strength. Since that time, the companies that make pediatric acetaminophen have voluntarily worked to change the amount of acetaminophen in these medicines to one standard amount (160 milligrams [mg]). Liquid syrup acetaminophen is available as 160mg/5mL. Dissolvable powder packs are available for children ages 6–11 years old and 48–95 pounds. Pediatric acetaminophen products on store shelves should be used as labeled and with the dosing syringe that came with the medicine.
- Acetaminophen should not be given to children under 2 years of age without the guidance of a doctor. Fever in the first 12 weeks may signal a serious infection and needs immediate medical attention; your baby will need to be checked in a health care setting to see what tests are needed. For children under 2 years, it's generally recommended to check with your doctor before giving acetaminophen to ensure correct dosing and safety. (Note: Fever may happen after a vaccine. If this occurs, talk to your child's doctor.)
- Medicines with more than 1 ingredient (also called combination products): It is best not to give medicines with more than one ingredient to children less than 6 years of age.
- Measuring the dose for liquid medicines (should be in "mL" or metric units): It is easier to give the right amount of liquid medicine when using a syringe. (Never use a kitchen teaspoon or tablespoon.) Use the dosing syringe that comes with the medicine. If the medicine does not come with a dosing syringe, ask your pharmacist for one.
- How often to give the medicine (frequency): For children under 12 years, give every 4 hours while symptoms last. Do not give more than 5 doses in 24 hours. For children over 12 years, extra strength acetaminophen can be given every 6 hours. Do not give more than 6 extra strength tablets/gelcaps in 24 hours.
- Disintegrating tablets and suppositories are not recommended for use in children (unless directed by a doctor).
- Extra strength: Do not give 500 mg oral extra strength products to children under 12 years of age.
- Extended-release: Do not give 650 mg oral extended-release products to children under 18 years of age.
| Weight → | 6 to 11 lb (3–5 kg) |
12 to 17 lb (5–7 kg) |
18 to 23 lb (8–10 kg) |
24 to 35 lb (11–15 kg) |
36 to 47 lb (16–21 kg) |
48 to 59 lb (22–26 kg) |
60 to 71 lb (27–32 kg) |
72 to 95 lb (33–43 kg) |
96 lb or more (44+ kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age → | 0–3 mo | 4–11 mo | 12–23 mo | 2–3 yr | 4–5 yr | 6–8 yr | 9–10 yr | 11 yr | 12+ yr |
| Infants' Acetaminophen (160 mg / 5 mL) | 1.25 mL | 2.5 mL | 3.75 mL | 5 mL | — | — | — | — | — |
| Children's Acetaminophen (160 mg / 5 mL) | — | — | — | 5 mL | 7.5 mL | 10 mL | 12.5 mL | 15 mL | — |
| Children's Acetaminophen Chewables (160 mg) | — | — | — | 1 tablet | 1½ tablets | 2 tablets | 2½ tablets | 3 tablets | — |
| Children's Acetaminophen Dissolvable Packets (160 mg / powder pack) | — | — | — | — | — | 2 packets | 2 packets | 3 packets | — |
| Adults' Acetaminophen Tablets (325 mg; regular strength) | — | — | — | — | — | 1 tablet | 1 tablet | 1 tablet | 2 tablets |
| Adults' Acetaminophen Tablets (500 mg; extra strength) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 tablets |
*Table notes:
- Standardized dosing: In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended liquid, chewable, and tablet forms of acetaminophen be made in just one strength. Since that time, the companies that make pediatric acetaminophen have voluntarily worked to change the amount of acetaminophen in these medicines to one standard amount (160 milligrams [mg]). Liquid syrup acetaminophen is available as 160mg/5mL. Dissolvable powder packs are available for children ages 6–11 years old and 48–95 pounds. Pediatric acetaminophen products on store shelves should be used as labeled and with the dosing syringe that came with the medicine.
- Acetaminophen should not be given to children under 2 years of age without the guidance of a doctor. Fever in the first 12 weeks may signal a serious infection and needs immediate medical attention; your baby will need to be checked in a health care setting to see what tests are needed. For children under 2 years, it's generally recommended to check with your doctor before giving acetaminophen to ensure correct dosing and safety. (Note: Fever may happen after a vaccine. If this occurs, talk to your child's doctor.)
- Medicines with more than 1 ingredient (also called combination products): It is best not to give medicines with more than one ingredient to children less than 6 years of age.
- Measuring the dose for liquid medicines (should be in "mL" or metric units): It is easier to give the right amount of liquid medicine when using a syringe. (Never use a kitchen teaspoon or tablespoon.) Use the dosing syringe that comes with the medicine. If the medicine does not come with a dosing syringe, ask your pharmacist for one.
- How often to give the medicine (frequency): For children under 12 years, give every 4 hours while symptoms last. Do not give more than 5 doses in 24 hours. For children over 12 years, extra strength acetaminophen can be given every 6 hours. Do not give more than 6 extra strength tablets/gelcaps in 24 hours.
- Disintegrating tablets and suppositories are not recommended for use in children (unless directed by a doctor).
- Extra strength: Do not give 500 mg oral extra strength products to children under 12 years of age.
- Extended-release: Do not give 650 mg oral extended-release products to children under 18 years of age.
