Acetaminophen safety tips
- Don't give acetaminophen to a baby under 12 weeks old without a doctor's approval. A baby this young should be seen by their doctor if they have a fever.
- Shake liquid medicine well before measuring.
- Use the measuring device that comes with the medicine and don't give more than recommended. If you lose the device, get a replacement from the pharmacy or use a standard measuring teaspoon (the kind used for baking).
- Don't give acetaminophen to a child who's taking other medicine that contains acetaminophen unless a doctor advises it.
- Don't give 650 mg extended-release products to children.
- Infants' and children's liquid acetaminophen have the same concentration: 160 mg per 5 ml. (They are both labeled "oral suspension.") The only difference is that the infant version comes with a syringe and the children's version comes with a cup.
- Check the strength of the product. To help avoid confusion, manufacturers standardized the strength of liquid, chewable, and tablet children's acetaminophen to 160 milligrams (mg). But it's still a good idea to check the label to confirm the strength. Products sold outside the U.S. may be formulated in different strengths. (Infants' drops may be sold in more concentrated strengths, for example.) Suppositories are also sold in different strengths (80 mg, 120 mg, 325 mg, and 650 mg), so check those amounts carefully.
- Call the poison control center (1-800-222-1222) if you think your child has taken too much medicine.
Tylenol dosage chart for babies and kids
The correct dose for your child is based on weight, not age. If you don't know how much your child weighs and they're too young to stand on a scale, weigh yourself while holding your child and then weigh yourself alone. Subtract your weight from the combined weight to get your child's weight.
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You can repeat the dose every four to six hours. Don't give more than five doses in 24 hours.
If you're unsure about the dosage to give your child, call their provider. Also, ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) is another common drug given to children to relieve pain and fever – for more information, see our ibuprofen dosage chart.
Acetaminophen dose for a baby 6 to 11 pounds
Dose: 40 mg
Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 1.25 ml or 1/4 teaspoon
Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 1.25 ml or 1/4 teaspoon
Suppository (80 mg): 1/2 suppository
Acetaminophen dose for a baby 12 to 17 pounds
Dose: 80 mg
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Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5 mL): 2.5 ml or 1/2 teaspoon
Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5 mL)): 2.5 ml or 1/2 teaspoon
Suppository (80 mg): 1 suppository
Acetaminophen dose for a child 18 to 23 pounds
Dose: 120 mg
Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5 mL): 3.75 ml or 3/4 teaspoon
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Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5mL)): 3.75 ml or 3/4 teaspoon
Suppository (120 mg): 1 suppository
Acetaminophen dose for a child 24 to 35 pounds
Dose: 160 mg
Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5 mL): 5 ml or 1 teaspoon
Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 5 ml or 1 teaspoon
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Children's chewables (160 mg): 1 tablet
Suppository (325 mg): 1/2 suppository
Acetaminophen dose for a child 36 to 47 pounds
Dose: 240 mg
Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 7.5 ml or 1 1/2 teaspoons
Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 7.5 ml or 1 1/2 teaspoons
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Children's chewables (160 mg): 1 1/2 tablets
Suppository (120 mg): 2 suppositories
Acetaminophen dose for a child 48 to 59 pounds
Dose: 320 mg
Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 10 ml or 2 teaspoons
Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 10 ml or 2 teaspoons
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Children's chewables or meltaways (160 mg): 2 tablets
Children's dissolvable packets (160 mg per pack): 2 packets
Adult regular-strength tablets (325 mg): 1 tablet
Suppository (325 mg): 1 suppository
Acetaminophen dose for a child 60 to 71 pounds
Dose: 400 mg
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Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5 mL): 12.5 ml or 2 1/2 teaspoons
Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 12.5 ml or 2 1/2 teaspoons
Children's chewables or meltaways (160 mg): 2 1/2 tablets
Children's dissolvable packets (160 mg per pack): 2 packets
Adult regular-strength tablets (325 mg): 1 tablet
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Suppository (325 mg): 1 suppository
Acetaminophen dose for a child 72 to 95 pounds
Dose: 480 mg
Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 15 ml or 3 teaspoons
Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5 mL): 15 ml or 3 teaspoons
Children's chewables or meltaways (160 mg): 3 tablets
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Children's dissolvable packets (160 mg per pack): 3 packets
Adult regular-strength tablets (325 mg): 1 1/2 tablets
Adult extra-strength tablets (500 mg): 1 tablet
Suppository (325 mg): 1 1/2 suppository
Acetaminophen dose for a child 96+ pounds
Dose: 640 mg
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Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 20 ml or 4 teaspoons
Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 20 ml or 4 teaspoons
Children's chewables or meltaways (160 mg): 4 tablets
Adult regular-strength tablets (325 mg): 2 tablets
Adult extra-strength tablets (500 mg): 1 tablet
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Suppository (650 mg): 1 suppository
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