Acetaminophen is often used to treat infants and children who develop a fever or pain due to a medical problem. This versatile drug is also used by adults, and can lower fevers and relieve the pain of common conditions such as headaches, muscle pains, backaches, sore throat and joint pain. However, too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage, notes Drugs.com, so it's very important to use the right dosage in relation to body weight.
Age Plus Weight
Some acetaminophen dosing instructions incorporate both age and weight, notes RxList. For example, infants from birth through 3 months of age and weighing 6 to 11 lbs. should receive 40 mg of acetaminophen in one dose; for 4 to 11 months or 12 to 17 lbs., the recommended dose is 80 mg; for ages 12 through 23 months and 18 to 23 lbs., the recommended dose is 120 mg; for 2 to 3 years of age and 24 to 35 lbs., the dose is 160 mg; for 4- to 5-year-olds and weights of 36 to 47 lbs., it goes up to 240 mg; 6- to 8-year-olds weighing between 48 and 59 lbs. should be given 320 mg; and 9- to 10-year-olds weighing 60 to 71 lbs. need 400 mg. Eleven-year-olds typically weigh between 72 and 95 lbs., and their recommended dose is 480 mg. Once youngsters reach 12 years of age, they qualify for the adult dosage that is no longer weight-based.
Weight-Based Calculatiions
A second dosage method uses a calculation of 10 to 15 mg of acetaminophen per 1 kg, or 2.2 lbs., of the child's body weight. To make it easier for parents and caregivers, companies that make acetaminophen for children typically publish a weight-based table on the label of their over-the-counter acetaminophen products that reflects this calculation. These formulations use the standard 80 mg dosage unit common to acetaminophen products. For example, a toddler weighing between 24 and 35 lbs. needs 160 mg of acetaminophen, which can be delivered by 1.6 ml of infant acetaminophen drops that come in 80 mg/0.8 ml, or by 5 ml of acetaminophen suspensions that contain 160 mg of acetaminophen in 5 ml.
Types
Acetaminophen for children comes in several forms: infant drops, children's liquid, chewable tablets, regular tablets and rectal suppositories. Parents should select the product that allows them to deliver an accurate dose in the smallest volume of liquid or number of tablets.
Considerations
Acetaminophen is commonly found in over-the-counter medications for the relief of cough, cold, sleep problems and allergy symptoms. It's important to read medication labels closely to avoid double-dosing children by giving both plain acetaminophen and a combination product containing the same drug, says Drugs.com.
Warnings
Never use regular tableware, like a teaspoon, to measure liquid medications for infants, toddlers or older children. Always use the dropper, syringe or liquid medication cup provided with the acetaminophen to avoid a drug overdose.
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