Acetaminophen
Topic Overview
Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) reduces fever and relieves pain. It does not reduce inflammation, as do nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, but it is less likely to cause stomach upset and other side effects.
Be sure to follow the nonprescription medicine precautions.
Dosage
- Adults: The usual dose is 325 mg to 650 mg. Take every 4 to 6 hours, as needed, up to 4 times in a 24-hour period. The maximum dose may vary from 3,000 mg to 4,000 mg, but do not take more than 4,000 mg in a 24-hour period. Follow all instructions on the label.
-
Children: Check with your child's doctor or a pharmacist if your child is less than 2 years old or less than 24 pounds. 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. There are different acetaminophen products for infants and children.
- Acetaminophen can be found in many forms and comes in different doses.
- Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- Do not give your child more than the maximum dose recommended on the label.
- Be careful when giving your child over-the-counter cold or flu medicines and acetaminophen (Tylenol) at the same time. Many of these medicines already contain acetaminophen. Too much acetaminophen can be harmful.
- If you give medicine to your baby, follow your doctor's or pharmacist's advice about what amount to give. Do not use acetaminophen if your child is allergic to it.
- Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are different products with different dosing recommendations. Talk to your child's doctor or a pharmacist before switching back and forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine. Studies have not shown any added benefit from alternating these medicines.
- Talk to your doctor or a pharmacist 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.
Caution: Do not use this dose table with any other concentration of this medicine. Use only with the concentration of 160 mg in 5 mL. Check the label on your medicine to find the concentration.
Child's weight in pounds |
Child's weight in kilograms |
Dose in milligrams |
Dose in milliliters |
---|---|---|---|
less than 11.0 |
less than 5.4 |
Ask a doctor or a pharmacist |
Ask a doctor or a pharmacist |
12.0-17.0 |
5.5-7.9 |
80 mg |
2.5 mL |
18.0-23.0 |
8.0-10.9 |
120 mg |
3.75 mL |
24.0-35.0 |
11.0-15.9 |
160 mg |
5 mL |
36.0-47.0 |
16.0-21.9 |
240 mg |
7.5 mL |
48.0-59.0 |
22.0-26.9 |
320 mg |
10 mL |
60.0-71.0 |
27.0-31.9 |
400 mg |
12.5 mL |
72.0-95.0 |
32.0-43.9 |
480 mg |
15 mL |
Side effects of acetaminophen are rare if it is taken in correct doses.
- Nausea and rash are the most common.
- High doses of acetaminophen can cause liver and kidney damage.
Reasons not to take acetaminophen
Do not take acetaminophen if you:
- Have liver disease.
- Drink alcohol heavily (3 or more drinks a day for men and 2 or more drinks a day for women).
Related Information
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
John Pope, MD, MPH - Pediatrics
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer David Messenger, BSc, MD, FRCPC, FCCP - Emergency Medicine, Critical Care Medicine
Current as ofNovember 20, 2017
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Current as of: November 20, 2017
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & John Pope, MD, MPH - Pediatrics & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & David Messenger, BSc, MD, FRCPC, FCCP - Emergency Medicine, Critical Care Medicine