Tylenol (acetaminophen) is widely used in infants and children and is available in different formulations. Proper dosing is required to optimize care and prevent toxicity.
Dosing by weight is preferred but dosing by age can be used if the weight is not known.
NOTE: The infant formula is concentrated relative to the children's formula. Administering the infant formula in a children's dose can cause toxicity.
|
Weight |
Age |
80 mg infants' drops |
160 mg liquid |
80 mg tablets |
160 mg tablets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 - 11 lbs |
0 - 3 mo. |
0.5 dropper |
NA |
NA |
NA |
|
12 - 17 lbs |
4 - 11 mo. |
1.0 dropper |
0.5 TSP |
NA |
NA |
|
18 - 23 lbs |
12 - 23 mo |
1.5 dropper |
0.75 TSP |
NA |
NA |
|
24 - 35 lbs |
2 - 3 years |
2.0 dropper |
1.0 TSP |
2 tablets |
NA |
|
36 - 47 lbs |
4 - 5 years |
NA |
1.5 TSP |
3 tablets |
NA |
|
48 - 59 lbs |
6 - 8 years |
NA |
2.0 TSP |
4 tablets |
2 tablets |
|
60 - 71 lbs |
9 - 10 years |
NA |
2.5 TSP |
5 tablets |
2.5 tablets |
|
72 - 95 lbs |
11 years |
NA |
3.0 TSP |
6 tablets |
3 tablets |
|
>= 96 lbs |
12 years |
NA |
NA |
NA |
4 tablets |
where:
• 1 dropper of infant formula = 0.8 mL
• 1 TSP = 5 mL
• Looking at the table above, 1.6 mL of infant formula is the same as 5 mL of the children's.
Doses can be given every 4 hours up to the maximum dose (except Tylenol Flu, which can be given every 6-8 hours).
|
|
Maximum Number of Doses Per Day |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Formulation |
Without Additives |
With Additives |
|
80 mg infant drops |
5 |
4 |
|
160 mg liquid |
5 |
4 |
|
80 mg tablets |
5 |
4 |
|
160 mg tablets |
5 |
NA |
Additives are found in the Plus Cold, Plus Flu, Plus Cold & Cough and Plus Allergy products and may include:
(1) chlorpheniramine
(2) pseudoephedrine
(3) dextromethorphan
Specialty: Pharmacology, clinical
ICD-10: ,
