Acetaminophen Dosing Chart
Dose is every 4-6 hours. For young infants, please call with any fever (defined as a temperature of 100.4 F or higher). Please remember that the goal is comfort, not elimination of fever. Fever is a symptom, not a disease. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen do not eliminate fever, they reduce fever. Fevers under 102 degrees F do not need treatment if your child is comfortable.
| Acetaminophen Dosing Chart | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Milligram Dosage | Children’s liquid and Infants Suspension – 160mg/5ml | Children’s soft chews 80mg each | Junior strength Caps or chews 160mg each | |
| 6-11 lbs | 40mg | ¼ tsp (1.25ml) | N/A | N/A | |
| 12-17 lbs | 80mg | ½ tsp (2.5ml) | N/A | N/A | |
| 18-23 lbs | 120mg | ¾ tsp (3.75ml) | N/A | N/A | |
| 24-35 lbs | 160mg | 1 tsp (5ml) | 2 tablets | 1 tablet | |
| 36-47 lbs | 240mg | 1 ½ tsp (7.5ml) | 3 tablets | 1 ½ tablets | |
| 48-59 lbs | 325mg | 2 tsp (10ml) | 4 tablets | 2 tablets | |
| 60-71 lbs | 400mg | 2 ½ tsp (12.5ml) | 5 tablets | 2 ½ tablet | |
| 72-95 lbs | 480mg | 3 tsp (15ml) | 6 tablets | 3 tablets | |
| 96+ lbs | 650 mg | 4 tsp (20ml) | 8 tablets | 4 tablets | |
Dosing for Acetaminophen tablets. With a pill cutter, you can use adult acetaminophen tablets. Crush the tablet between two spoons and place in applesauce. Look at the table above to determine the milligram dose then use the following:
80 mg = 1/4 of 325 mg tablet (cut in 1/2, then cut in 1/2 again)
120 mg = 1/4 of 500 mg tablet (cut in 1/2, then cut in 1/2 again)
160 mg = 1/2 of 325 mg tablet (cut in 1/2)
240 mg = 1/2 of 500 mg tablet (cut in 1/2)
325 mg = 1 whole 325 mg tablet
Dosing chart for Acetaminophen suppositories. You will notice the package doses tend to be a little higher than if given orally. This is safe for two reasons:
- Suppositories are absorbed less consistently than an oral dose.
- Suppositories are meant for short-term use (just while your child can’t tolerate oral intake) and giving a little higher dose for one day will not be harmful.
Doses are every 4-6 hours – we still generally recommend the doses above. Suppositories come in 80 mg, 120 mg, 325 mg and 650 mg
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