Taking too much acetaminophen can cause serious medical problems. Your child's level of acetaminophen in the blood was checked and it is not at a dangerous level. Here's how to care for your child at home. This is a good time to review how to store and give medicines safely.

Home Care

• Your child can have a normal diet and return to normal activities.
• Don't give acetaminophen again until your health care provider says it's OK.
• If your child took too much acetaminophen on purpose, follow up with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor as recommended by your health care provider.

Preventing Medicine Overdose

• Give medicines safely:
  • Follow the package directions for how much medicine to give and how often.
  • If the medicine comes with a dropper or cup, use that to give the medicine.
  • For medicines you will give more than once, or when giving more than one medicine, write down or note on your phone the name and dosage of the medicine and the time you gave it.
  • When you give more than one medicine, be sure they don't contain the same ingredients. For example, some cold and pain medicines contain acetaminophen, so giving your child more acetaminophen along with them can be dangerous. 
  • Don't call medicine "candy" when trying to get your child to take it.
• Store medicines safely:
  • Keep all medicines (even those you can buy without a prescription) in a locked cabinet, out of the reach of children. 
  • Put medicines away after giving a dose.
  • Keep purses and handbags that might contain medicines away from kids.
  • Make sure the lids to all medicines are tightly closed.
  • Always keep medicines in their original containers.
  • Keep track of how much medicine is left in a bottle. You can write the date on the label and the number of pills or draw a line at the level of liquid medicine.
  • Know about the medicines you have in your home. Get rid of those you no longer need. If you're not sure how to get rid of medicines, talk to your health care provider or visit fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines.

• You have questions about what dosage of medicine your child needs or if a medicine is safe for your child.
• Your child:
  • has nausea (feeling sick to the stomach), vomiting, or belly pain
  • is sweatier, paler, or more tired than usual

You know your child best. If you see symptoms that worry you, call your health care provider right away.

Call 911 if your child passes out, is confused, has a change in their breathing, can't be awakened, or has a seizure (uncontrolled jerking body movements).

What products contain acetaminophen? Acetaminophen medicines are available as:

• a single medicine (such as Tylenol^® or a store brand) you can buy without a prescription
• part of a combination medicine for cough and colds (like DayQuil™ and Dimetapp^® Cold & Flu) you can buy without a prescription
• part of a combination prescription opiate medicine for pain (Percocet^® and Vicodin^®)

What can happen if someone takes too much acetaminophen? Taking too much acetaminophen can lead to nausea, vomiting, and belly pain; liver and kidney problems; and even death.

How does acetaminophen overdose usually happen? In young children, it often happens because a parent or caregiver gives too much. They may be confused about the dosage, give more than one medicine that contains acetaminophen, or give more than the recommended dosage because they think it will help with the child's symptoms. Overdose may also happen when a young child finds the medicine and takes it out of curiosity. Sometimes, kids or teens might take too much acetaminophen on purpose.

What should I do if I think my child got too much of any medicine? Call Poison Control right away for advice (800-222-1222). Keep the number posted in your home (for example, on the refrigerator) and put it in your phone contacts.