Acetaminophen information and dosing in children

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, store brands) is a fever reducer and pain reliever. It is commonly used to treat fever and to relieve pain from a variety of causes including immunizations, teething, earache, wounds and injuries, sunburn, headache, etc.

Dosing

As with other medications in children, the dose (amount of drug given) is based on body weight, and since it comes in different strengths (amount of drug per mL or tsp or tablet), the amount to give your child will depend on both his/her weight and the strength of the medication you are using.

The dosage of acetaminophen is 15 mg per kg of body weight, which is about 7 mg per pound. The medication can be given every 4 hours.

Dosing Chart

Weight (pounds) Dose (mg) INFANT SUSPENSION OR Children’s liquid160 mg per tsp (5 ml) Children’s soft chews 80 mg per tablet Junior strength chewable tabs 160 mg per tablet
6-8 40 mg 1/4 tsp (1.25 ml)
9-11 60 mg 1/3 tsp (1.8 ml)
12-17 80 mg 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml)
18-23 120 mg 3/4 tsp (3.75 ml)
24-29 160 mg 1 tsp (5 ml) 2 tablets 1 tablet
30-35 200 mg 1 1/4 tsp (6.25 ml) 2 1/2 tablets 1 tablet
36-40 240 mg 1 1/2 tsp (7.5 ml) 3 tablets 1 1/2 tablets
41-46 280 mg 1 3/4 tsp (8.75 ml) 3 1/2 tablets 1 1/2 tablets
47-58 320 mg 2 tsp (10 ml) 4 tablets 2 tablets
59-69 400 mg 2 1/2 tsp (12.5 ml) 5 tablets 2 1/2 tablets
70-82 480 mg 3 tsp (15 ml) 6 tablets 3 tablets
83-94 560 mg 3 1/2 tsp (17.5 ml) 7 tablets 3 1/2 tablets
95 and over 640 mg 4 tsp (20 ml) 8 tablets 4 tablets
adult dose see bottle

For more information

MedlinePlus