Infants' Tylenol Dosage: How Much, When, And How Often

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat to know about dosage guidelines for infant Tylenol

Medically reviewed by Mia Armstrong, MD — Written by Zawn Villines — Updated on June 6, 2024

Dosage chart
Uses
Is infant Tylenol safe?
Side effects
Seeing a doctor
Summary

How much Tylenol a person can give a child and how often will depend on their size, weight, and age.

The producers of Tylenol state that children should not receive more than five doses within 24 hours. However, the American Association of Pediatricians advises that a child should not receive more than four doses per 24 hours.

The manufacturers of Tylenol also recommend consulting a pediatrician before giving this drug to children under 24 months or weighing less than 24 pounds (lb).

The active ingredient, acetaminophen, also comes in a generic form. A generic contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.

Tylenol can harm the liver, and the difference between a safe dose and a potentially dangerous one is relatively small.

Follow the instructions on labels and a doctor’s advice carefully. If the first dose does not work, do not give a child more Tylenol.

Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting until an infant is 6 months or older before giving them nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin). Tylenol may be a safe alternative to these drugs in younger infants, but it is important to check first with a healthcare professional.

Below, we investigate how much Tylenol is safe for infants and older children. We also describe the drug’s uses and side effects.

Infants’ Tylenol dosage chart

A woman administering an oral medication to a young child — filadendron/Getty Images

The right dosage of this medication depends on the formulation. Infants’ Tylenol and Children’s Tylenol come in the same strength: 160 milligrams (mg) per 5 milliliters (ml).

However, other medications, such as Motrin, come in different concentrations, so it is essential to read all dosing charts and labels carefully before any administration.

The AAP suggests the following dosages of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, for infants and children by age and weight. We list their weight in pounds (lb) and kilograms (kg).

First, the APP notes it is essential that:

Children and infants must not have more than four doses in 24 hours.
They must not have any other medication that contains acetaminophen at the same time.
Various forms of acetaminophen are available, and not all are safe for each age group. Check first with a pharmacist or doctor.

For children aged 3 years and under, the AAP recommends:

Weight	6–11 lb(3–5 kg)	12–17 lb(5–7 kg)	18–23 lb(8-10 kg)	24–35 lb (11–15 kg)
Age	0–3 months	4–11 months	12–23 months	2–3 years
Infants’ acetaminophen (160 mg/5 ml)	1.25 ml	2.5 ml	3.75 ml	not recommended
Children’s acetaminophen (160 mg/5 ml)	not recommended	not recommended	not recommended	5 ml

For children aged 4 years and over, the AAP recommends these dosages:

Weight	36–47 lb (16–21 kg)	48–59 lb (22–26 kg)	60–71 lb (27–32 kg)	72–95 lb (33–43 kg)	96 lb and above (from 44 kg)
Age	4–5 years	6–8 years	9–10 years	11 years	12 years and over
Children’s acetaminophen (160 mg/5 ml)	7.5 ml	10 ml	12.5 ml	15 ml	20 ml
Children’s acetaminophen chewable tablets (160 mg)	1.5 tablets	2 tablets	2.5 tablets	3 tablets	4 tablets
Children’s acetaminophen dissolvable packs (160 mg)	Not suitable	2 packs	2 packs	3 packs	Not suitable
Adult acetaminophen tablets (325 mg)	Not suitable	1 tablet	1 tablet	1.5 tablets	2 tablets
Adult acetaminophen tablets (500 mg)	Not suitable	Not suitable	Not suitable	1 tablet	1 tablet

A discontinued form of Tylenol comes in a formula of 80 mg per 0.8 ml. Manufacturers no longer sell this, and it is too old to use, so dispose of it safely and replace it.

Below are some strategies to ensure that an infant gets the right dosage:

Before administering a dose, have more than one responsible adult verify the correct dosage on labeling, then verify that this amount is in the syringe.
Make a note of each dose and the time the baby had it.
Weigh the baby before giving the medication.

If weighing the baby is not possible, base the dosage on their last known weight. It is not safe to assume that they have moved into the next weight range.

Uses of Tylenol in infants

In babies who are at least 3 months old, Tylenol can safely reduce various symptoms, including:

a fever
pain, including teething pain
muscle aches
chills
pain-related nursing difficulties

Tylenol does not treat or cure the illnesses that cause these symptoms; it only eases them.The drug cannot cure a tooth infection, ear infection, or any other illness. It is crucial to treat the underlying issue, rather than relying only on Tylenol.

Doctors do not fully understand how the drug works, though it may block chemicals that help the body produce pain signals.

Safety

Infants’ Tylenol is usually safe in these situations:

for reducing a fever
for temporary relief of minor aches and pains due to conditions such as the common cold, the flu, a headache, a sore throat, or a toothache
in doses measured according to the infant’s weight and age
after checking with a healthcare professional about when, how, and how much to administer, then following these guidelines carefully

However, there are some possible side effects and other risks. The next section looks at these in more detail.

Side effects and risks

Some potential side effects of Tylenol include:

a headache
nausea and vomiting
bruising
bleeding
trouble urinating

If a baby has any of these side effects, immediately contact a doctor. Tylenol is generally safe if people use it correctly. However, there are other risks, such as:

Allergic reactions

Any drug can cause an allergic reaction, and these can range from very mild to life threatening. If a baby develops a rash, itchy skin, or other symptoms while taking Tylenol, contact a healthcare professional immediately.

If an infant develops red spots or any other type of rash while taking Tylenol, stop giving them the drug and contact a doctor right away.

If the baby has trouble breathing or the rash spreads quickly, call 911 or otherwise seek emergency medical care.

Overdose

It can be easier to overdose on Tylenol than on some other drugs. People should never give or take more than the recommended dosage. Also, it is important not to use Tylenol for longer than necessary. Taking too much Tylenol can cause serious and even fatal liver damage. It is crucial to never take Tylenol and another drug that contains acetaminophen.

When to see a doctor

Call a doctor immediately if a baby develops side effects of Tylenol, including:

nausea or vomiting
trouble urinating
unusual bruising

Also, consult a doctor if:

Tylenol does not ease a fever or relieve pain.
Any symptoms have not improved within a few days.
An infant younger than 3 months shows fever, or any signs of illness.

Call 911 or go to an emergency room if a baby:

develops a widespread rash after taking Tylenol
has trouble breathing after taking the drug
takes significantly more than the recommended dosage
has a yellow or green tinge to their skin or the whites of their eyes

Summary

Tylenol can relieve some symptoms of common illnesses, including pain and a fever.

It is usually safe to use Tylenol with prescription drugs as long as these do not contain acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. Taking Tylenol may make a baby more comfortable while the prescription medication treats the underlying issue.

If a person has any questions about using Infants’ Tylenol, they should contact a healthcare professional. Never give a baby or older child more than the recommended dosage, and always keep medications out of the reach of children.

Pediatrics / Children's Health
Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Parenthood

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Acetaminophen. (2016).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548162/
Acetaminophen dosing tables for fever and pain in children. (2021).https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/Pages/Acetaminophen-for-Fever-and-Pain.aspx
Infants Tylenol — acetaminophen suspension. (2020).https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=997b9551-c222-4a9c-8ba1-09a5f97495fa
O'Malley GF, et al. (2022). Acetaminophen poisoning.https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/poisoning/acetaminophen-poisoning
Questions and answers: FDA warns of rare but serious skin reactions with the pain reliever/fever reducer acetaminophen. (2015).https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/questions-and-answers-fda-warns-rare-serious-skin-reactions-pain-relieverfever-reducer-acetaminophen
Sullivan, J. E., et al. (2011). Fever and antipyretic use in children.https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/127/3/580/65016/Fever-and-Antipyretic-Use-in-Children
You need to know: Infant’s & children’s acetaminophen medicine changes. (n.d.).https://www.poisoncontrol.org/you-need-to-know-infants-childrens-acetaminophen-medicine-changes/

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Medically reviewed by Mia Armstrong, MD — Written by Zawn Villines — Updated on June 6, 2024

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