Acetaminophen dosage for children

Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol, Tempra) is a drug that is used to treat fever and pain. Below is a dosage chart for children. It is better to use the child's weight instead of age, and to use a dosing device rather than a spoon. Be careful, there are several products with different acetaminophen concentrations.

To determine the right dosage for your child, follow these steps:

• Find the line that corresponds to the child's weight (in pounds or kilograms).
• Identify the proper dose based on the product you have in hand.
• Administer the dose every 4 to 6 hours for a maximum of 5 doses within a 24-hour period.

Acetaminophen dosage for children older than 3 months

Weight		Age (use as a guide)	Dose	oral drops 80 mg/mL	oral suspension 160 mg/5 mL	chewable tablets 80 mg	chewable tablets 160 mg
12 - 17 lbs	6 - 7 kg	4 - 11 months	80 mg	1 mL	2.5 mL	1	-
18 - 23 lbs	8 - 10 kg	12 - 23 months	120 mg	1.5 mL	3.75 mL	1 1/2	-
24 - 35 lbs	11 - 15 kg	2 - 3 years	160 mg	2 mL	5 mL	2	1
36 - 47 lbs	16 - 21 kg	4 - 5 years	240 mg	3 mL	7.5 mL	3	1 1/2
48 - 59 lbs	22 - 26 kg	6 - 8 years	320 mg	4 mL	10 mL	4	2
60 - 71 lbs	27 - 31 kg	9 - 10 years	400 mg	5 mL	12.5 mL	5	2 1/2
72 - 95 lbs	32 - 43 kg	11 years	480 mg	6 mL	15 mL	6	3

  A medical consultation is required for children 3 months of age and younger who have a fever.