Changes to Acetaminophen

In response to the FDA's recent efforts to help parents give the right amount of medication to their children, there has been an industry-wide change in concentration for all OTC infant acetaminophen products. With this transition, infants’ acetaminophen products will now be the same concentration as children’s acetaminophen products. The old concentration of 80mg/0.8mL for infants’ acetaminophen will be replaced by the new concentration of 160mg/5mL. In addition, all infant acetaminophen manufacturers will include a syringe that will help to ensure more accurate dosing.

While infants' TYLENOL is not currently on store shelves, it will begin to be available for consumers in the new concentration within the next several months. During the transition period where both concentrations are available for purchase or in medicine cabinets, products can continue to be used as labeled.

The following is a good guide for dosing these products.

DOSAGE

7 mg per pound every 4 hours. The dosage we use is 7 milligrams per pound of bodyweight (for metric users, that's 15mg per kilogram). For example: a 22-pound child would get 154 mg (22x7=154). This is about one-teaspoon of children's liquid. Don't worry about giving 160mg instead of 154mg - the difference is minimal. This dose can be given every four hours, or realistically, five times a day.

• Acetaminophen starts taking effect within 45 to 60 minutes and should last four hours.
• 1 tsp (5ml) of children's liquid contains 160 mg of acetaminophen.
• Feverall suppositories are a good alternative if the child is vomiting, or is very resistant to take medicine by mouth. The suppositories can be cut-up to get the proper dose.

SAFETY/SIDE EFFECTS

Acetaminophen has been safely used in children for many years. There are minimal side- effect concerns in a healthy child. It has a high safety margin, i.e. it takes about seven times the regular dose to be harmful. If given at the proper doses, it is safe to use "around the clock" for several days.

INTERACTIONS

Acetaminophen can be used along with any antibiotic, cold or cough remedy (providing Acetaminophen is not one of the ingredients).

HOW SUPPLIED

(see dosing chart below)

• Children's liquid 160mg/5ml
• Chewable tablets 80mg or 160mg
• Junior strength caplets 160mg
• Rectal suppository (Feverall brand) 80mg, 120mg, 325mg (may be cut for proper dose)

ACETAMINOPHEN DOSING CHART

Dose is every 4-6 hours. When treating fever or pain, I like to use a "strong but safe" dose so your child will feel better sooner. I have designed this chart with narrow weight ranges so you can give the best dose. Dosing chart for suppositories is below regular chart.