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Use of Acetaminophen in Young Children

Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, helps reduce fever and relieve pain. It does not reduce swelling, as do nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen, but it also is less likely to cause stomach upset and other side effects.

Be sure to follow these medicine precautions.

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Follow all instructions on the label. If you give medicine to your baby, follow your doctor’s advice about what amount to give. Do not use acetaminophen if your child is allergic to it.
Talk to your doctor before you give medicine to reduce a fever in a baby who is 3 months of age or younger. This is to make sure a young baby's fever is not a sign of a serious illness. The exception is if your baby has just had an immunization. Fevers sometimes occur as a reaction to immunizations. After immunizations, you can give your baby medicine to reduce a fever.
Acetaminophen products include chewable tablets, syrup, and rectal suppositories. The correct dose and timing of the dose are important for the medicine to work well. Always read the label so that you give the right dose based on your child's age and/or weight. Infants usually need a different dose than children do.
Do not alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen because of the possible risk of overdose. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are different products with different dosing recommendations. Studies have not shown any more benefit from alternating these medicines.
If you are giving your child acetaminophen for fever or pain, don't also give your child a cold or flu medicine that contains acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Your child could get too much medicine.

Dosage: Give acetaminophen every 4 hours as needed. Do not give more than 5 doses in a 24-hour period. Dosages are based on the child's weight regardless of whether oral or rectal products are used.

**Acetaminophen dose for child's weight**
Child's weight in pounds (lb)	Child's weight in kilograms (kg)	Dosage
Less than 24 lbs	Less than 11 kg	Ask a doctor
24.0-30.0	11.0-13.5	160 mg-200 mg
31.0-36.0	14.0-16.5	200 mg-240 mg
37.0-42.0	16.5-19.0	240 mg-280 mg
43.0-47.0	19.5-21.0	280 mg-320 mg
48.0-55.0	21.5-25.0	320 mg-380 mg
56.0-75.0	25.5-34.0	380 mg-500 mg
76.0-89.0	34.5-40.5	500 mg-600 mg
More than 90.0	More than 40.5	650 mg (adult dose)

Side effects of acetaminophen are rare.

Nausea and rash are the most common.
High doses of acetaminophen can contribute to liver damage.

Do not give your child acetaminophen if he or she has:

Kidney disease.
Liver disease.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised	May 24, 2011

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: 4/, 011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.