Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)

Acetaminophen is a medicine used to reduce fever and treat pain. The brand name is Tylenol®. Other names for this medicine are Tempra® and Feverall®. Many grocery stores and pharmacies have their own brands. After giving a dose, symptoms should improve within 30 to 60 minutes.

You can get acetaminophen as a liquid, chewable tablets, dissolvable packets, regular tablets or capsules, and suppositories. It comes in different strengths and does not need a prescription.

Acetaminophen Dosing Chart:  English,  Arabic,  Nepali,  Somali,  Spanish

How to Give

  • Liquid – Shake the medicine before using.
  • Chewable tablets – Chew, dissolve in liquid, or swallow tablets whole.
  • Dissolvable packets – Tear the packet open and pour the powder onto your child’s tongue.
  • Suppositories – Moisten with water or Vaseline® before inserting into your child’s bottom (rectum). These are mostly used when a child can’t take medicine by mouth. Ask your child’s doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist for more information.
DO  DO NOT
  • Give the exact dose of medicine as told by your doctor or health care provider.
  • Ask the doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist before crushing any medicine.
  • Stay with your child until they have swallowed the full dose of medicine.
  • Use a pediatric measuring device, like a dosing syringe or medicine cup.
  • Read the label carefully and make sure you're giving your child the right amount.
  • DO NOT give for more than 3 days without asking the doctor or health care provider.
  • DO NOT give more than 5 doses of this medicine within 24 hours unless the doctor or health care provider says it's okay.
  • DO NOT measure liquid medicines with spoons you eat with.
  • DO NOT give medicine in the dark. Always turn on a light to see the amount you're giving.

 

Warning

  • Do not give your child more than 4 grams (g) [4,000 milligrams (mg)] in 24 hours.
  • Let your child's doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist know if they:
    • Are allergic to acetaminophen. 
    • Have liver or kidney disease.
    • Have a condition called G6PD deficiency.
    • Have a condition called phenylketonuria (PKU).

If a Dose Is Vomited

  • Tablet, capsule, and chewable – if your child vomits or spits out the whole pill, let them calm down for 15 to 30 minutes. Then, give the same amount one more time.
  • Liquid or dissolved powder in a drink – if your child swallowed this medicine and then vomited, do not repeat the dose. Some medicine may still be in their stomach. Wait until it’s time for the next dose.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects are rare but do include a skin rash or bruising. If side effects happen, stop giving the medicine and call your child’s doctor or health care provider (see next section).

When to Call the Doctor

Call your child's doctor or health care provider if they have any of the following:

  • Fever of 103° Fahrenheit (F) [39.4° Celsius (C)] or higher
  • Fever gets higher after giving the medicine
  • Fever lasts more than 3 days
  • They get a new skin rash
  • Pain is not better or gone after taking this medicine
  • They don't look well
  • Signs of liver damage: dark pee (urine), light colored poop, easy bruising, nausea and vomiting, bleeds easily, skin or whites of eyes turns yellow, or belly pain on the right side.

When to call 911

Call 911 for emergency help if your child has any of the following after taking a medicine:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Swelling of the tongue
  • Swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles

Drug and Food Interactions

Your child should not take acetaminophen with the following:

  • Alcohol – can cause liver damage when taken with acetaminophen.
  • Some prescription medicines – can cause liver damage when taken with acetaminophen. Always tell the doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider if your child is taking other medicines. Some medicines that your child should not take with acetaminophen include: lamotrigine (Lamictal®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), isoniazid (INH®), and warfarin (Coumadin®). 
  • Prescription pain medicines with acetaminophen – Some pain medicines have acetaminophen in them. Taking these pain medicines at the same time as regular acetaminophen may cause your child to overdose on acetaminophen. Some examples of these pain medicines include:
    • Acetaminophen with codeine (Tylenol® with codeine)
    • Hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Vicodin®, Lortab®, Norco®)
    • Oxycodone with acetaminophen (Percocet®)
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines with acetaminophen – Many OTC medicines for cough and cold, allergies, pain, and problems sleeping contain acetaminophen. Taking these medicines at the same time as regular acetaminophen may cause your child to overdose on acetaminophen. Read the label or check with your child’s doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist before giving these products to your child.
  • Vitamins and supplements – Ask your child’s health care provider if it is alright to give these with acetaminophen.

Medicine Storage

  • Store all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep medicine in the original bottle or packaging from the pharmacy.
  • Keep this medicine away from heat and direct sunlight.
  • Do not use this medicine after the expiration date printed on the container.
Liquid, Tablet, or Capsule Suppository
  • Keep the bottle tightly closed and store it in a dark, dry place. Light and moisture make the medicine not work as well.
  • Do not keep this medicine in the refrigerator. Store at room temperature.
  • Do not keep it in the bathroom or above the kitchen sink.
  • Store suppositories in a cool, dark place. They may melt if stored in excessive heat.
  • Suppositories can be stored in the refrigerator.

 

Medicine Safety

  • This medicine is prescribed for your child only. Do not give it to anyone else.
  • If your child takes too much medicine, or if someone else takes your child’s medicine, first call the Central Ohio Poison Center at 1 (800) 222-1222 [TTY (614) 228-2272]. They will tell you what to do.
  • Tell your child’s doctor or health care provider and pharmacist if they have a strange or allergic reaction to any medicine.
  • Do not use this medicine if the package has been opened.
  • Keep all medicine in the childproof bottle. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Tell your child’s teacher, school nurse, coach, babysitter, and others that they’re taking this medicine and what side effects to watch for.
  • Ask your pharmacist for 2 labeled bottles if daycare or school will be giving this medicine.
  • Bring all your child’s medicines with you in the original bottles whenever they see a doctor, go to an emergency room, or are admitted to the hospital.
  • Always keep a current list of your child’s medicines with you. It should include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, herbal and natural products, and supplements.
  • Learn the name, spelling, and dose of the medicines. Also, teach your child if they are old enough. You will need to know this information when you call the doctor or pharmacist.
  • Mix any leftover medicine with an unwanted material like coffee grounds or kitty litter. Place it into a container or a bag that will not leak. Then, throw it in the trash where children and pets cannot reach it. You may also bring old medicines to any Nationwide Children’s Hospital pharmacy location during normal pharmacy business hours

 

Helping Hands™ Patient Education Materials

Helping Hands™ are easy-to-read guides about different illnesses, therapies, surgeries, and more. They’re created by the Patient Education team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and are reviewed and approved by clinical staff, like nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and psychologists. Nationwide Children's Hospital is not responsible for misuse of information in patient education materials, including Helping Hands.

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