
General
Pediatric Acetaminophen (Tylenol® or Tempra®) Dosing Using Tablets
Acetaminophen tablets may be split, then crushed, and mixed with apple sauce or pudding. Use split and mixed doses immediately. These calculations use a dose of 15 mg/kg. Doses can be repeated after 4 hours or longer. Do not give more than 5 doses in 24 hours.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) comes in 325mg and 500mg tablets. Please note the strength of the tablets. Acetaminophen also comes in different shapes. It is best to use round tablets if you need ¼ of a pill. Pharmacies sell pill cutters if cutting tablets is difficult.
Note: Acetaminophen is not the same as ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) or ASA (Aspirin®). Please verify which medicine you are using. Avoid using ASA or aspirin in children.
Child’s weight ______
Using acetaminophen (Tylenol®) regular strength 325 mg tablets
Child’s Weight | Proportion of tablet | Acetaminophen dose |
5.5-8.3 kg (12-17.9 lbs) | 1⁄4 of a 325 mg tablet | 81 mg |
8.4-10.9 kg (18-23.9 lbs) | See table below | |
11-16.9 kg (24-36.9 lbs) | 1⁄2 of a 325 mg tablet | 162.5 mg |
17-21.9 kg (37-47.9 lbs) | See table below | |
22 kg-32.9 kg (48-71.9 lb) | Full 325 mg tablet | 325 mg |
33 kg (72 lbs) and above | See table below |
Using acetaminophen (Tylenol®) 500 mg tablets
Child’s Weight | Proportion of tablet | Acetaminophen dose |
5.5-8.3 kg (12-17.9 lbs) | See table above | |
8.4-10.9 kg (18-23.9 lbs) | 1⁄4 of a 500 mg tablet | 125 mg |
11-16.9 kg (24-36.9 lbs) | See table above | |
17-21.9 kg (37-47.9 lbs) | 1⁄2 of a 500 mg tablet | 250 mg |
22 kg-32.9 kg (48-71.9 lb) | See table above | |
33 kg (72 lbs) and above | Full 500 mg tablet | 500 mg |
For more information about fever, click here for advice from Sick Kids Hospital.