Acetaminophen dosage chart
Acetaminophen is one of the hardest drugs to give correctly, because it's sold in many forms. This chart can help you give your child the right amount.
Acetaminophen safety tips
The correct dose for your child is based on weight, not age. If you don't know how much your child weighs and he's too young to stand on a scale, weigh yourself while holding him and then weigh yourself alone. Subtract your weight from the combined weight to get your child's weight.
Don't give acetaminophen to a baby under 3 months without a doctor’s approval.
Shake well before measuring.
Use the measuring device that comes with the medicine and do not give more than recommended. If you lose the device, get a replacement from the pharmacy or use a standard measuring teaspoon (the kind used for baking), not a regular spoon used for eating.
Never give acetaminophen to a child who's taking other medicine that contains acetaminophen unless a doctor advises it.
Acetaminophen infants' drops have the same concentration as the children's liquid. The only difference is that the infant version comes with a syringe and the children's liquid comes with a cup.
You can repeat the dose every four hours. Don't give more than five doses in 24 hours.
Acetaminophen dose for an infant 6 to 11 pounds
Dose: 40 mg
Infants' drops (shake well): 1.25 ml
Children's liquid (shake well): 1.25 ml
Acetaminophen dose for an infant 12 to 17 pounds
Dose: 80 mg
Infants' drops (shake well): 2.5 ml
Children's liquid (shake well): 2.5 ml or ½ teaspoon
Acetaminophen dose for a child 18 to 23 pounds
Dose: 120 mg
Infants' drops (shake well): 3.75 ml
Children's liquid (shake well): 3.75 ml or ¾ teaspoon
Children's chewables or meltaways (80 mg): 1 ½
Acetaminophen dose for a child 24 to 35 pounds
Dose: 160 mg
Infants' drops (shake well): 5 ml
Children's liquid (shake well): 5 ml or 1 teaspoon
Children's chewables or meltaways (80 mg): 2
Junior-strength chewables or meltaways (160 mg): 1
Acetaminophen dose for a child 36 to 47 pounds
Dose: 240 mg
Infants' drops (shake well): 7.5 ml
Children's liquid (shake well): 7.5 ml or 1 ½ teaspoons
Children's chewables or meltaways (80 mg): 3
Junior-strength chewables or meltaways (160 mg): 1 ½
Acetaminophen dose for a child 48 to 59 pounds
Dose: 320 mg
Infants' drops (shake well): 10 ml
Children's liquid (shake well): 10 ml or 2 teaspoons
Children's chewables or meltaways (80 mg): 4
Junior-strength chewables or meltaways (160 mg): 2
Adult regular-strength tablets (325 mg): 1
Acetaminophen dose for a child 60 to 71 pounds
Dose: 400 mg
Infants' drops (shake well): 12.5 ml
Children's liquid (shake well): 12.5 ml or 2 ½ teaspoons
Children's chewables or meltaways (80 mg): 5
Junior-strength chewables or meltaways (160 mg): 2 ½
Adult regular-strength tablets (325 mg): 1
Acetaminophen dose for a child 72 to 95 pounds
Dose: 480 mg
Infants' drops (shake well): 15 ml
Children's liquid (shake well): 15 ml or 3 teaspoons
Children's chewables or meltaways (80 mg): 6
Junior-strength chewables or meltaways (160 mg): 3
Adult regular-strength tablets (325 mg): 1 ½
Adult extra-strength tablets (500 mg): 1
Acetaminophen dose for a child 96+ pounds
Dose: 640 mg
Infants' drops (shake well): 20 ml
Children's liquid (shake well): 20 ml or 4 teaspoons
Children's chewables or meltaways (80 mg): 8
Junior-strength chewables or meltaways (160 mg): 4
Adult regular-strength tablets (325 mg): 2
Adult extra-strength tablets (500 mg): 1
