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.