Acetaminophen 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.
In 2011, the dosing for infants is changing. The concentrated infant drops, which have 80 mg per 0.8 ml, are being taken off the market. They are being replaced by infant suspension, with 160 mg per tsp (5 ml), the same as the children's liquid. However, for a time BOTH products will be available in stores. YOU MUST MAKE SURE YOU ARE GIVING THE RIGHT DOSE FOR THE PRODUCT YOU ARE USING. CHECK THE CONCENTRATION.
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) |
Concentrated Infant Drops |
INFANT SUSPENSION OR Children's liquid |
Children's soft chews |
Junior strength chewable tabs 160 mg per tablet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-8 | 40 mg | 1/2 dropper (0.4 ml) | 1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) | ||
| 9-11 | 60 mg | 3/4 dropper (0.6 ml) | 1/3 tsp (1.8 ml) | ||
| 12-17 | 80 mg | 1 dropper (0.8 ml) | 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) | ||
| 18-23 | 120 mg | 1 1/2 dropper (1.2 ml) | 3/4 tsp (3.75 ml) | ||
| 24-29 | 160 mg | 2 droppers (1.6 ml) | 1 tsp (5 ml) | 2 tablets | 1 tablet |
| 30-35 | 200 mg | 2 1/2 droppers (2 ml) | 1 1/4 tsp (6.25 ml) | 2 1/2 tablets | 1 tablet |
| 36-40 | 240 mg | 3 droppers (2.4 ml) | 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 |
