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
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
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