How to Safely Give Acetaminophen

Also called: Tylenol, paracetamol, Panadol, FeverAll, Tempra

What Is Acetaminophen?

Acetaminophen (uh-see-tuh-MI-nuh-fen) is a medicine you can buy without a prescription to relieve fever and pain. It's a safe drug for many problems when used correctly.

But too high a dose can make a child very sick. Getting too much can lead to liver damage and, in rare cases, even death. So it's important to know how to safely give acetaminophen.

If you have any questions about giving acetaminophen to your child, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Never give this or any other kind of medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without getting a doctor's OK first.

Acetaminophen is the generic name of this drug. In some countries, it's called paracetamol. The most common brand name for this medicine is Tylenol®, but it is also sold under the names Panadol®, FeverAll®, and Tempra®. Generic or store brands of acetaminophen also are available.

What Types of Acetaminophen Are Available?

Many types of acetaminophen are available in different strengths, such as oral suspensions (liquid form) and drops, chewable tablets, and pills to swallow. Chewable tablets are best for children 6 years of age and older. Chewables are not recommended for children younger than 2 years old due to the risk of choking.

Rectal suppositories (FeverAll® or Tempra®) are available for children who have trouble taking medicine by mouth or can't keep medicines down due to vomiting. If your health care provider recommends that you give your child an acetaminophen rectal suppository, ask what dose is right for your child.

Tylenol® and other brands that make infant drops used to offer them in a more concentrated formula, which was 80 mg/0.8 ml per dose. These drops were taken off the market because babies were getting sick after parents mistakenly gave too much medicine while using kitchen teaspoons or measuring cups from Children's Tylenol®. If you have Infants' Tylenol® or a similar product in the 80 mg strength, throw it away and do not give it to your child. The new infant drops have the same concentration as Children's Tylenol® (160 mg/5 ml per dose).

Acetaminophen Dosages By Weight

Doctors recommend using a child's weight instead of age when figuring out how much medicine to give. Before giving your child a dose, check the label to make sure the recommended dosage and concentration match the numbers below.

This table is based on recommendations from doctors and the products' makers. It's not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. If your child is 2 years old or younger, get the OK from your health care provider before giving the medicine. And always call if you have any questions or concerns about giving medicine.

What Else Should I Know About Giving Acetaminophen?

Other things to keep in mind when giving acetaminophen to your child:

• Check the expiration date to make sure it's not expired. If it is, throw the medicine away and buy a new product. The best way to dispose of medicines is through a medicine disposal site. Visit the DEA website to find a disposal site near you. You also can remove the medicine from its original container and place it in something that kids or animals wouldn't be tempted to eat, like coffee grounds or kitty litter. Then, put it in a sealed bag inside a garbage can.
• Make sure your child isn't already taking medicines with acetaminophen in them. Acetaminophen is a very common ingredient in cough, cold, and allergy medicines. If your child is taking one, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before giving your child more acetaminophen. Getting too much can damage a child's liver.
• Check the concentration and recommended dosage. Give your child a dose from the dropper, syringe, or cup that came with the product. This will help make sure that your child gets the right amount of milliliters, or ml (also called cc, or cubic centimeters), and doesn't get too much. Never use a measuring spoon from the kitchen or a cup or dropper from a different product.
• When giving for a fever, consider the child's temperature and age. If you have an infant 3 months or younger with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, call your doctor or go to the ER right away. If your child is between 3 months and 3 years old and has a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher, call your doctor to find out if they need to see your child.
• If your child spits up or vomits up a dose of acetaminophen within the first 20 minutes, it's usually safe to give them another dose (check with a doctor if you're unsure). If your child holds the first dose down for longer than 20 minutes before spitting up, wait 4 hours or more before giving them another dose.
• Give acetaminophen every 4–6 hours as needed, but never give your child more than 5 doses in 24 hours.
• If your child doesn't like the flavor, you can try a product with a different flavoring.
• If your child is sensitive to dyes, use a dye-free type of acetaminophen.