When your little one is sick, nothing is more important than knowing how to treat them with care. The makers of pediatric liquid acetaminophen, the most commonly used medicine to treat pain and fever in children, have made certain changes to help parents ensure proper dosing. There used to be two concentrations: one for infants 0 – 3 years of age and one for children 2 – 12 years of age. Now both infants’ and children’s liquid acetaminophen are made in the same strength to make it easier for parents and caregivers to avoid common dosing errors.

1. Safe Dosing for Pediatric Liquid
Acetaminophen
When your little one is sick, nothing is more
important than knowing how to treat them
with care. The makers of pediatric liquid
acetaminophen, the most commonly used
medicine to treat pain and fever in children,
have made certain changes to help parents
ensure proper dosing. There used to be two
concentrations: one for infants 0 – 3 years of
age and one for children 2 – 12 years of age.
Now both infants’ and children’s liquid
acetaminophen are made in the same
strength to make it easier for parents and
caregivers to avoid common dosing errors.
By TJ Gold, MD

2. Previous Strength and Dosing Device
Infants’ liquid acetaminophen used to
come in concentrated drops — 80
milligrams of acetaminophen per 0.8
mL (80mg/0.8mL) or 80 milligrams per
1.0 mL (80mg/1.0mL) — and was
administered by mouth via a dropper.

3. Changes to Liquid Acetaminophen
Now, all pediatric liquid acetaminophen
– infants’ and children’s – is one
consistent strength (160 mg/5mL) and
includes new dosing instructions and
age-appropriate dosing devices:
• A plastic oral syringe for infants
• A plastic measuring cup for children

4. Infants’ Dosing Device
The new, lower concentration infants’
liquid acetaminophen includes a plastic
oral syringe, rather than a dropper, for
age-appropriate dosing. The syringe is
for use with the new concentration (160
mg/5 mL) and should be administered
by mouth.

5. Children’s Dosing Device
All children’s single-ingredient liquid
acetaminophen products include a
small plastic measuring cup for children
ages 2 – 12.

6. Use the Proper Dosing Device
In order to correctly measure the right
amount of liquid acetaminophen,
always use the dosing device provided
with the purchased product. Using
household objects like spoons or
measuring devices from other medicine
packages could result in dosing errors.

7. When to Consult Your Doctor
While the new dosing devices and
strength of infants’ liquid
acetaminophen help prevent possible
dosing errors, if your child is under 2
years of age, always consult your
pediatrician for proper dosing
instructions. The Drug Facts label on the
packaging of infants’ acetaminophen
doesn’t include dosing instructions for
this age group. Your pediatrician can
provide you with your child’s age and
weight appropriate dose.

8. Proper Dosing
Weight
Infants’
Acetaminophen
Children’s
Acetaminophen
Concentration Via
Plastic Oral Syringe
(160 mg/5 mL)
Concentration Via
Plastic Measuring Cup
(160 mg/5 mL)
6-11 lbs.
1.25 mL
12-17 lbs.
2.5 mL
2.5 mL
18-23 lbs.
3.75 mL
3.75 mL
24-35 lbs.
5 mL
5 mL
36-47 lbs.
7.5 mL
48-59 lbs.
10 mL
60-71 lbs.
12.5 mL
72-95 lbs.
15 mL
96+ lbs.
20 mL
Proper dosing for both children’s and
infants’ single ingredient liquid
acetaminophen is based on the child’s
age and weight. Always consult your
healthcare provider if you have any
questions regarding dosing instructions.

9. Other Safety Precautions
While the transition into the lower
concentration of infants’ liquid
acetaminophen began a couple of years
ago, parents should still be on the
lookout for old versions on store shelves
or stowed away in household medicine
cabinets. Always carefully read and
follow the Drug Facts Label to ensure
proper dosing and remember to store all
medicines up and away and out of sight
after each use.