Posted by Dr. Monica Wonnacott | January 24, 2017

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Dosing

I get a lot of questions about what are appropriate doses for Tylenol and Motrin (see Motrin dosing article) in kids. Here’s the info. Feel free to bookmark this page, print it (and hang in your medicine cabinet) or pass it along.

Medication: Tylenol is the trade name. Acetaminophen is the generic name. Both work equally well. Generally, the trade name medication (Tylenol) is more expensive.

Age Limit: Do NOT give to infants less than 2 months of age unless specifically directed by your pediatrician to do so. The medication may mask fever which can be a sign of serious infection in young infants.

Use: Treat fever or pain.

Interval: Every 4 hours

Dose: Based on your child’s weight (age dosing is based on averages and not as accurate as weight dosing). For the mathematically minded, the dose is 10-15 mg/kg/dose (which I’ve calculated out below).

Forms: Infant and Children’s Tylenol are the same concentration (160 mg/5 mL).The difference is in the packaging. The infant form comes with a syringe. The children’s form comes with a cup. Scientifically speaking, using a syringe to measure is most accurate (so no matter which form you use, measure with a syringe). Generally, you get more product for the same cost when you buy the children’s form (I’m all about getting more bang for my buck-so long as you have extra syringes on hand).

Tylenol (acetaminophen: 160 mg in each 5 mL)

Weight | estimated age | Dose

6-11 lbs | 0-3 months | 1.25 mL

12-17 lbs. | 4-11 months | 2.5 mL

18-23 lbs. | 12-23 months | 3.75 mL

24-35 lbs. | 2-3 years | 5 mL

36-47 lbs. | 4-5 years | 7.5 mL

48-59 lbs. | 6-8 years | 10 mL

60-71 lbs. | 9-10 years | 12.5 mL

72-95 lbs. | 11 years | 15 mL