Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Dosage for Children
Uses: Acetaminophen is used to treat fever and pain in children.
Refer to the table below to determine the correct acetaminophen dosage for your child.
How to determine dosage: Find your child’s weight on the top row and the specific acetaminophen formula/concentration you’re using in the left column. Where they intersect will determine the correct amount of medication to give your child.
| Child’s weight | 6 – 11 lbs. | 12 – 17 lbs. | 18 – 23 lbs. | 24 – 35 lbs. | 36 – 47 lbs. | 48 – 59 lbs. | 60 – 71 lbs. | 72 – 95 lbs. | Over 96 lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syrup (Oral Suspension): 160 mg/5 milliliters (ml) |
1.25 | 2.5 | 3.75 | 5 | 7.5 | 10 | 12.5 | 15 | – |
| Chewable 80 mg tablets | – | – | 1½ | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Chewable 160 mg tablets | – | – | – | 1 | 1½ | 2 | 2½ | 3 | 4 |
| Adult 325 mg tablets | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | 1½ | 2 |
| Adult 500 mg tablets | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 |
Medication Notes
Brands: Tylenol (infants’ and children’s liquid formulas and chewable tablets), generic acetaminophen, acetaminophen suppositories (brand name Feverall)
Formulation: The infants’ and children’s formulas of Tylenol contain the same concentration of acetaminophen (160 mg/5 ml). The only difference is the measuring device that comes with the medication (an oral syringe for infants and a measuring cup for children.) The formulas can be used interchangeably if you carefully measure and give the correct dosage for your child’s weight.
Age: Acetaminophen should not be used in children under 3 months unless directed by their doctor. Fevers in children under 3 months should be evaluated by a physician unless it begins within 24 hours of an immunization given to a child 8 weeks or older. Products containing multiple active ingredients should not be given to children younger than 6 years old.
Measuring: Syringes, droppers and measuring cups are more accurate than teaspoons. If possible, use the measuring device that comes with the medicine, or you can get one from any local pharmacy. If you need to use a teaspoon, make sure it is a measuring spoon because regular spoons may not be accurate. One level teaspoon is equal to 5 ml of liquid medication.
Frequency: A dose may be given every four to six hours as needed. Do not give more than five doses in a day.