Acetaminophen

Giving Your Child Acetaminophen Safely

ACETAMINOPHEN DOSAGES (Liquid, Chewable, Tablet)

It is best to give children acetaminophen using their weight instead of age when figuring out how much medicine to give. But if you don't know your child's weight, use their age to figure out the dose.

Weight (lbs kgs)	Age	Dosage (mg)	Liquid Volume (ml) (Strength = 160 mg/5 mL)	Chewable tablet 80 mg	Chewable tablet 160 mg	Tablet 325 mg (if able to swallow a pill)
6–11 lbs 2.7-4.9 kgs	0–3 months	40 mg	1.25 mL (¼ teaspoon)	DO NOT USE	DO NOT USE	DO NOT USE
12–17 lbs 5.4-7.7 kgs	4–11 months	80 mg	2.5 mL (½ teaspoon)	DO NOT USE	DO NOT USE	DO NOT USE
18–23 lbs 8.1-10.4 kgs	1–2 years	120 mg	3.75 mL (¾ teaspoon)	DO NOT USE	DO NOT USE	DO NOT USE
24–35 lbs 10.8-15.8 kgs	2–3 years	160 mg	5 mL (1 teaspoon)	2	1	DO NOT USE
36–47 lbs 16.3-21.3 kgs	4–5 years	240 mg	7.5 mL (1½ teaspoons)	3	1½	DO NOT USE
48–59 lbs 21.7-26.7 kgs	6–8 years	320 mg	10 mL (2 teaspoons)	4	2	1
60–71 lbs 27.2-32.2 kgs	9–10 years	400 mg	12.5 mL (2½ teaspoons)	5	2½	1
72–95 lbs 32.6-43.0 kgs	11 years	480 mg	15 mL (3 teaspoons)	6	3	1½
Over 95 lbs 43.0 kgs	Over 11 years	640 mg	20 mL (4 teaspoons)	8	4	2

Abbreviations: mg = milligram; mL or ml = milliliter; lbs = pounds; kgs = kilograms / Note: 5 mL = 1 teaspoon; Do not use a kitchen spoon to measure any liquid medicine. Use the measuring tool that came with the medicine.

The Basics

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever often used for kids (brand names include Tylenol® and others). It also helps bring down fevers. Acetaminophen comes in different forms, including:

liquid (also called a suspension)
chewable tablet
pill
suppository

When you give your child medicine, always check the strength listed on the label:

For a liquid medicine, strength means how many milligrams (mg) of medicine are in a certain amount of liquid (liquid medicines are measured in milliliters [mL]). For example:
- The liquid (suspension) label should say "160 mg per 5 mL."
For a tablet, pill, or suppository, strength means how many milligrams are in each. For example:
- Chewable tablet labels should say "80 mg each" or "160 mg each."
- Pill labels should say "325 mg each."
- Suppository labels should say "80 mg each," "120 mg each," or "325 mg each."

Instructions

Give medicine exactly as directed. Do not give medicine more often than is recommended, and do not give a larger dose than is recommended.
Do not give acetaminophen more than 5 times in 24 hours. Giving too much acetaminophen or giving it too often can cause problems with the liver.
Do not give any other medicines that also contain acetaminophen, such as cough, cold, or allergy medicines and some prescription pain medicines. Using two medicines that contain acetaminophen could cause your child to get too much.
Know your child's weight so that you can give the correct dose.
Make sure you and all caregivers write down the time that you give each dose of acetaminophen so that extra doses are not given by mistake.

Call Your Health Care Provider if...

You have any questions.
Your child's pain or fever is not getting better after you give the acetaminophen.
You accidentally gave your child more than the recommended dose.
Your child is getting worse or not improving.
Your child develops new symptoms.

Go to the ER if...

Your child has severe pain.