Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Dosage
Click on your child's weight on the top
Then click on the type of medicine you have in the left column
| Child's Weight (pounds) | 6-11 | 12-17 | 18-23 | 24-35 | 36-47 | 48-59 | 60-71 | 72-95 | 96+ | lbs |
| Liquid 160 mg / 5 milliliters (mL) | 1.25 | 2.5 | 3.75 | 5 | 7.5 | 10 | 12.5 | 15 | 20 | mL |
| Chewable 80 mg tablets | - | - | 1 1/2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | tabs |
| Chewable 160 mg tablets | - | - | - | 1 | 1 1/2 | 2 | 2 1/2 | 3 | 4 | tabs |
| Adult 325 mg tablets | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 1/2 | 2 | tabs |
| Adult 500 mg tablets | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | tab |
Your pediatrician may give you different dosing instructions.
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.
