Acetaminophen dosing for children
Description
Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol and other brands) can help children with colds and fever feel better. As with all drugs, it is important to give children the correct dose. Acetaminophen is safe when taken as directed. But, taking too much of this medicine can be harmful.
Alternative Names
Tylenol
How Acetaminophen Can Help Your Child
Acetaminophen is used to help:
- Reduce aches, pain, sore throat, and fever in children with a cold or the flu
- Relieve pain from a headache or toothache
Proper Dosing of Liquids and Tablets
Children's acetaminophen can be taken as liquid or chewable tablet.
If your child is under age 2 years, check with your health care provider before giving your child acetaminophen.
To give the correct dose, you will need to know your child's weight.
You also need to know how much acetaminophen is in the product you are using. You can read the label to find out.
- For chewable tablets, the label will tell you how many milligrams (mg) are found in each tablet, such as 160 mg per tablet.
- For liquids, the label will tell you how many mgs are found in 5 mL, such as 160 mg/5 mL.
For syrups, you will need some type of dosing syringe. It may come with the medicine, or you can ask your pharmacist. Make sure to clean it out after each use.
If your child weighs 24 to 35 lbs (10.9 to 15.9 kilograms):
- For children's acetaminophen syrup that says 160 mg/5 mL on the label: Give a dose: 5 mL
- For children's acetaminophen chewable tablets that say 160 mg on the label: Give a dose: 1 tablet
If your child weighs 36 to 47 lbs (16 to 21 kilograms):
- For children's acetaminophen syrup that says 160 mg/5 mL on the label: Give a dose: 7.5 mL
- For children's acetaminophen chewable tablets that say 160 mg on the label: Give a dose: 1½ tablets
If your child weighs 48 to 59 lbs (21.5 to 26.5 kilograms):
- For children's acetaminophen syrup that says 160 mg/5 mL on the label: Give a dose: 10 mL
- For children's acetaminophen chewable tablets that say 160 mg on the label: Give a dose: 2 tablets
- For children's acetaminophen dissolvable packets that say 160 mg/powder pack on the label: 2 packets
- For adult's acetaminophen tablets that say 325 mg on the label: 1 tablet
If your child weighs 60 to 71 lbs (27 to 32 kilograms):
- For children's acetaminophen syrup that says 160 mg/5 mL on the label: Give a dose: 12.5 mL
- For children's acetaminophen chewable tablets that say 160 mg on the label: Give a dose: 2½ tablets
- For children's acetaminophen dissolvable packets that say 160 mg/powder pack on the label: 2 packets
- For adult's acetaminophen tablets that say 325 mg on the label: 1 tablet
If your child weighs 72 to 95 lbs (32.6 to 43 kilograms):
- For children's acetaminophen syrup that says 160 mg/5 mL on the label: Give a dose: 15 mL
- For children's acetaminophen chewable tablets that say 160 mg on the label: Give a dose: 3 tablets
- For children's acetaminophen dissolvable packets that say 160 mg/powder pack on the label: 3 packets
- For adult's acetaminophen tablets that say 325 mg on the label: 1½ tablets
- For adult's acetaminophen tablets that say 500 mg on the label: 1 tablet
If your child weighs 96 lbs (43.5 kilograms) or more:
- For children's acetaminophen syrup that says 160 mg/5 mL on the label: Give a dose: 20 mL
- For children's acetaminophen chewable tablets that say 160 mg on the label: Give a dose: 4 tablets
- For adult's acetaminophen tablets that say 325 mg on the label: 2 tablets
- For adult's acetaminophen tablets that say 500 mg on the label: 1 tablet
You may repeat the dose every 4 to 6 hours as needed. DO NOT give your child more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
If you are not sure how much to give your child, contact your provider.
Proper Dosing of Suppositories
If your child is vomiting or will not take oral medicine, you can use suppositories. Suppositories are placed in the anus to deliver medicine.
You can use suppositories in children older than 6 months. Always check with your provider before giving any medicine to children under 2 years old.
This medicine is given every 4 to 6 hours.
If your child is 6 to 11 months:
- For infant suppositories that read 80 milligrams (mg) on the label: Give a dose: 1 suppository every 6 hours
- Maximum dose: 4 doses in 24 hours
If your child is 12 to 36 months:
- For infant suppositories that read 80 mg on the label: Give a dose: 1 suppository every 4 to 6 hours
- Maximum dose: 5 doses in 24 hours
If your child is 3 to 6 years:
- For children's suppositories that read 120 mg on the label: Give a dose: 1 suppository every 4 to 6 hours
- Maximum dose: 5 doses in 24 hours
If your child is 6 to 12 years:
- For junior-strength suppositories that read 325 mg on the label: Give a dose: 1 suppository every 4 to 6 hours
- Maximum dose: 5 doses in 24 hours
Giving Medicine to Children
Make sure you do not give your child more than one medicine that contains acetaminophen as an ingredient. For example, acetaminophen can be found in many cold remedies. Read the label before giving any medicine to children. You should not give medicine with more than one active ingredient to children under age 6 years.
When giving medicine to children, also be sure to follow important child medicine safety tips.
If Your Child Takes Too Much
Be sure to post the number for the poison control center by your phone. If you think your child has taken too much medicine, call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. It is open 24 hours a day. Signs may include nausea, vomiting, tiredness, and abdominal pain.
Go to the nearest emergency room. Your child may need:
- To get activated charcoal. Charcoal stops the body from absorbing the medicine. It has to be given within an hour, and it does not work for every medicine.
- To be admitted to the hospital so they can be watched closely.
- Blood tests to see what the medicine is doing.
- To have their heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure monitored.
When to Call the Doctor
Contact your provider if:
- You are not sure about the dose of medicine to give your infant or child.
- You are having trouble getting your child to take medicine.
- Your child's symptoms do not go away when you would expect them to go away.
- Your child is an infant and has signs of illness, such as fever.
References
Healthychildren.org website. American Academy of Pediatrics. Acetaminophen dosage table for fever and pain. www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/Pages/Acetaminophen-for-Fever-and-Pain.aspx. Updated October 21, 2021. Accessed June 21, 2024.
Nield LS, Kamat D. Fever. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 219.
Theobald JL, Corcoran JN. Poisoning. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 94.
Reviewed By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 06/24/2024.
