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Acetaminophen and children: Why dosage matters
An acetaminophen overdose is serious — and it can happen easier than you might think. Here's how to protect your child, and when to seek emergency care.
By Mayo Clinic staffAcetaminophen (Tylenol, others) has long been a standard remedy for fever and pain in children. It's effective and readily available without a prescription. In excess, however, even good things can be harmful. Here's what you need to know about acetaminophen overdoses and children.
How does an acetaminophen overdose occur?
An acetaminophen overdose is serious, and it can occur all too easily. Consider these scenarios:
- You're in a hurry. You might unwittingly give your child too much acetaminophen if you don't take the time to carefully measure the medication — or if you don't realize that another caregiver has already given your child a dose of medication.
- You combine medications. If your child has various cold symptoms, you might combine acetaminophen with a cold remedy. But this can be dangerous because many cold medications already contain acetaminophen.
- You use the wrong formulation. You might cause an overdose if you give your child adult acetaminophen tablets instead of the children's formulation. Even the children's versions of acetaminophen come in many different formulations, and the dosage varies for each one. For example, infant drops are more concentrated than is the liquid acetaminophen typically given to toddlers. If you assume that both liquids contain the same amount of medicine, substituting infant drops for syrup could lead to an acetaminophen overdose.
- You decide that more is better. If you're not satisfied with the performance of the recommended dosage of acetaminophen, you might increase the dosage and cause an accidental overdose.
- Your child mistakes the medication for candy or juice. Overdoses often occur when a child mistakes acetaminophen for something safe to eat or drink. Sometimes this happens when an adult leaves the bottle open or accessible after taking his or her own medication.
How much acetaminophen is too much?
If you give your child acetaminophen, read the product label carefully to determine the correct dosage based on your child's age and weight. Too much acetaminophen overloads the liver's ability to process the drug safely. An acetaminophen overdose can lead to life-threatening liver problems.
How much acetaminophen is too much varies depending on the child's age and weight. Consider these guidelines from the American Association of Poison Control Centers:
- Age 5 and younger. Seek emergency care if your child age 5 or younger swallows 91 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen per pound of his or her weight (200 mg per kilogram, or kg) in 24 hours.
- Age 6 and older. Seek emergency care if your child age 6 or older swallows 91 mg of acetaminophen per pound of his or her weight (200 mg per kg) or at least 10,000 mg of acetaminophen — whichever is less.
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- Brok J, et al. Interventions for paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006:CD003328.
- Mahadevan SK, et al. Paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity. Archives of Disease in Childhood. 2006;91:598.
- Acetaminophen - Hennepin Regional Poison Center treatment guidelines. Minneapolis, Minn.: Hennepin County Medical Center. Accessed April 16, 2009.
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- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 7, 2009.
