Children's Acetaminophen Dosage: An Introduction
- Your child's age and weight
- Other medications your child may be taking
- Other medical conditions your child may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust the dose of children's
acetaminophen unless your child's healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Children's Acetaminophen Dosing Chart
Refer to the following chart for information for the recommend acetaminophen dose in children:
|
Age (years)
|
Weight (pounds)
|
Dose in milligrams (mg)
|
Acetaminophen chewable tablets (or orally disintegrating tablets) -- 80 mg per tablet
|
Children's acetaminophen suspension (or generic suspension) -- 160 mg per teaspoonful
|
Junior acetaminophen (or generic junior strength chewable tablets) -- 160 mg per tablet
|
|
Under 2
|
Under 24
|
|
|
2 to 3
|
24 to 35
|
160 mg
|
2 tablets
|
1 teaspoonful (5 mL)
|
Do not use
|
|
4 to 5
|
36 to 47
|
240 mg
|
3 tablets
|
1 ½ teaspoonfuls (7.5 mL)
|
Do not use
|
|
6 to 8
|
48 to 59
|
320 mg
|
4 tablets
|
2 teaspoonfuls (10 mL)
|
2 tablets
|
|
9 to 10
|
60 to 71
|
400 mg
|
5 tablets
|
2 ½ teaspoonfuls (12.5 mL)
|
2 ½ tablets
|
|
11 to 12
|
72 to 95
|
480 mg
|
6 tablets
|
3 teaspoonfuls (15 mL)
|
3 tablets
|
A dose can be given every four hours, but do not exceed more than five doses in 24 hours. If you accurately know your child's weight, it is best to base the dosing on weight, rather than age.
