Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Dose Table

Child's Weight (pounds)6-1112-1718-2324-3536-4748-5960-7172-9596+lbs
Liquid 160 mg/ 5 milliliters (mL)1.252.53.7557.51012.51520mL
Liquid 160 mg/ 1 teaspoon (tsp)-1/23/411 1/222 1/234tsp
Chewable 80 mg tablets--1 1/2234568tabs
Chewable 160 mg tablets---11 1/222 1/234tabs
Adult 325 mg tablets-----111 1/22tabs
Adult 500 mg tablets-------11tab

When to Use: treatment of significant fever and pain

Caution: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is also included in many medicines (prescription and over-the-counter). Read the labels carefully to make sure your child is not getting actetaminophen (Tylenol) from 2 or more products, which could lead to overdosing. If you have questions, call your child’s doctor.

Always check the concentration on the label before using this dose table.

Important:

  • Age Limits: Don’t use under 12 weeks of age unless told by child’s doctor.
  • Reason: fever in the first 8 weeks of life is an urgent medical matter, requiring a medical evaluation.
  • Exceptions: Fever starting within 24 hours of vaccines if child is 8 weeks of age or older. If under 6 years old, don’t give products with more than one active ingredient in them (FDA recommendation 2008).

Instructions:

  • Dose: Find the child’s weight in the top row of the dose table. Look below the correct weight for the dose based on the product you have.
  • Measure the Dose: Always use syringes and droppers for liquid medication (teaspoons vary too much, and could lead to incorrect dosing). If possible, use the syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine. If not, you can get a med syringe at a drug store. If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. Reason: regular spoons are not reliable. Keep in mind 1 level teaspoon equals 5 mL and that ½ teaspoon equals 2.5 mL.
  • How Often: Repeat every 4-6 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 5 times a day.
  • Brand Names: Tylenol, Feverall (suppositories), generic acetaminophen
  • Meltaways: Tabs that dissolve, and come in 80 mg and 160 mg (jr. strength)
  • Suppositories (Feverall): Available in 80, 120, 325 and 650 mg. The rectal dose is the same as the dose given by mouth.
  • Extended-Release. Do not use 650 mg oral products in children. Reason: they are every 8-hour extended-release.
  • Use in Countries Outside the U.S.: Dose tables are based on U.S. products. Concentrations may vary in countries outside the U.S.
Disclaimer:  This web site is meant to provide reliable information consistent with the standard of care at the time of publication. It is not designed to be all inclusive nor is it intended to substitute for the individual advice and decision-making provided by your pediatrician. Andrew Elliston MD, and Elliston Pediatrics, therefore, takes no responsibility for the all inclusive accuracy and content of these pages or that of links from these pages.

This website and all its content is being provided for information and education purposes only. No doctor/patient relationship has been established by the use of this site, nor is any diagnosis or treatment being provided hereby. The information contained herein is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should only be used in consultation with a pediatrician.  Consequently, neither Andrew Elliston MD or Elliston Pediatrics take any responsibility for the accuracy and content of these pages or for web sites hyperlinked to this site and such hyper-linking does not imply any relationship or endorsement to the linked sites.  Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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