Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Acetaminophen

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: December 2001
Last Revision Date: April 2002

• What is acetaminophen?
• What are some brand names?
• What can I use it for?
• How should I use it?
• What is proper dosage?
• What are possible side effects?
• Where should I store it?
• When should I call the doctor?

What is acetaminophen?

• Acetaminophen is a pain and fever-reducing medication.
• It is available in liquid drops, oral liquid (by mouth), chewable tablets, and rectal suppositories.

What are some brand names?

Form	Brand Names	Concentration
Drops	Liquiprin, Mapap, Panadol, Tylenol	80 mg/ .8 ml
Elixir (liquid)	Aceta, Genapap, Panadol, Tylenol	160 mg/ 5 ml
Chewable Tablets	Aceta Panadol, Tempra, Tylenol	80 mg/ 1 tablet
Tablets	Depacin, Panadol, Tapanol, Tylenol	325, 500 650 mg
Suppositories	Acephen, Feverall, Neopap, Uniserts	80, 160, 325, 650 mg

What can I use it for?

• To reduce fever.
• To ease pain from shots.
• To ease pain from small surgeries.
• Headaches.
• Muscle aches.
• Backaches.
• Toothaches.
• Minor arthritis pain.
• To relieve cold symptoms.
• Menstrual cramps.

How should I use it?

• Acetaminophen is a very safe medicine.
• If you experience problems, see "When should I call the doctor?" below.
• Do not take more than is recommended.
• Do not take with alcohol if you are taking more than 1 or 2 doses. It could cause liver damage.
• Take only as needed.
• Read and follow instructions on the label unless your doctor has given you different instructions.

What is proper dosage?

• Follow your doctor's orders for dosage even if the directions on the label are different. Follow the directions on the container if you don't have special instructions from a doctor.
• Children should not take it more than 5 times a day.
• The following table is the recommended dosage for acetaminophen. Notice that dosage is based on your child's weight as well as her age.
• Make sure you use the dropper or medicine cup that came with the medicine. Don't use a kitchen spoon. Spoons are different sizes and are not a good measuring tool.
• Do not use the dropper for liquid elixir medicine. You may not give your child enough.
• If you lose the original dropper or medicine cup, use a medicine syringe bought at the drug store. The pharmacist can show you how to use it.
• If you still aren't sure of the dose, talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

mg= milligram

tsp= teaspoon

ml= milliliter

Acetaminophen Dosage: Given every 4-6 hours

Age	Weight	Drops 80 mg/ .8 ml	Elixir 160 mg/ 5 ml	Chewable Tablets 80mb/tab	Tablets	Suppositories
0-3 months	6-11 lbs.	0.4 ml or 1/2 dropperful	X	X	X	X
4-11 months	12-17 lbs.	0.8 ml or 1 dropperful	1/2 tsp.	X	X	X
12-23 months	18-23 lbs.	0.8 + 0.4 ml or 1 1/2 dropperful	3/4 tsp.	X	X	X
2-3 years	24-35 lbs.	0.8 + 0.8 ml or 2 dropperfuls	1 tsp	2 tablets	X	120-160 mg
4-5 years	36-47 lbs.	X	1 1/2 tsp	3 tablets	240 mg	240 mg
6-8 years	48-59 lbasl	X	2 tsp	4 tablets	320 mg	320 mg
9-10 years	60-71 lbsl	X	2 1/2 tsp	5 tablets	400 mg	400 mg
11 years	72-95 lbs.	X	3 tsp	6 tablets	480 mg	480 mg
12 years and older (including adults)	Over 96 lbs.	X			325-1000 mg	325-650 mg

What are possible side effects?

• Acetaminophen has very few side effects.
• Few people are allergic to it. Allergic symptoms could include rash, hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing.
• Children with other medical conditions could have a problem taking acetaminophen. Talk to your doctor.
• Before taking acetaminophen, tell your doctor if your child has kidney disease, hepatitis or another liver disease, or if there are problems with alcohol abuse.

Where should I store it?

• Keep all medicine out of children's reach. Keep the safety cap on.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store near the sink or in places that could be damp.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep medicine if it is expired. Dispose of it in a place out of children's reach.

When should I call the doctor?

• Call your doctor at once if someone has taken too much acetaminophen (an overdose). It could cause liver damage. Symptoms of an overdose could include sweating, feeling very tired, diarrhea, pain (especially around the stomach), feeling sick, and vomiting.
• Call the doctor if your child has bloody stools, cloudy urine, sores on her skin or mouth, or if she is very weak.
• Call the doctor if your child has pain for more than 5 days, a fever for more than 3 days, or throat pain for more than 2 days.
• Call the doctor if your child has an allergic reaction to acetaminophen.
• Call the doctor if a painful area gets red and swollen or if your child has a rash.
• Call the doctor if your child has new symptoms or if symptoms get worse.
• Call the doctor before taking acetaminophen if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Quick Answers

• Acetaminophen is a pain and fever-reducing medication.
• Some brand names are Feverall, Liquiprin, Panadol, Tapanol, Tempra, and Tylenol.
• It can be used for headaches, muscle aches, backaches, toothaches, minor arthritis pain, to relieve cold symptoms, menstrual cramps, and to reduce fever.
• Call the doctor if your child has pain for more than 5 days, a fever for more than 3 days, or throat pain for more than 2 days.
• Follow the directions on the container for dosage. If you have special dosage instructions from a doctor, follow them and ignore the label.
• Acetaminophen has very few side effects. Few people are allergic to it.
• Keep all medicine out of children's reach.
• Call the doctor if your child has an allergic reaction to acetaminophen or if pain or fever does not get better.

References

• Health Square. Brand Name: Tylenol. (cited 2001 October 5). URL: http://www.healthsquare.com/pdrfg/pd/monos/tylenol.htm
• Pediatrics. Fever Management. Virtual Children's Hospital. 1992-2001 (cited 2001 September 7). URL: http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Peds/General/FeverMgmt.html
• MedlinePlus. Acetaminophen (Systemic). 2000 August 17 (cited 2001 October 5). URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/acetaminophensystemic202001.html
• Physician's Desk Reference. (Nonprescription Drug Information, Children's Tylenol Dosing Chart) Medical Economics Company, Inc. Montvale, NJ; 2001: (660-662).
• University of Iowa. Acetaminophen. (cited 2001 October 12). URL: http://adultpain.nursing.uiowa.edu/Costs/Acetamnt.htm

See related Patient Topics About Your Medicines, Child and Teen Health, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Procedures and Therapies or Teen Health.

See related Provider Topics About Your Medicines, Child and Teen Health, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Procedures and Therapies or Teen Health.

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