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Common brands: Tylenol, Tempra, Pediatrix, and Panadol

What it's used for

Acetaminophen is used to treat mild pain (like headaches, sprains, general aches, and pains) and to bring down a fever.

What to tell your healthcare provider before giving your child this medicine

Tell the doctor or pharmacist if your child:

has liver problems
takes a blood “thinner”
is allergic to acetaminophen
is being treated for TB (tuberculosis)
has an autoimmune condition (like lupus)

Tell the doctor or dentist what other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medicine your child takes.

What you need to know when giving your child this medicine

Make sure to follow the directions on the package or that the doctor/pharmacist gives you. Giving more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen can hurt the liver.
Acetaminophen is found in other pain and fever medicine and also in cough and cold medicine. Make sure you read the label before giving your child any other medicine.
If your baby is younger than 3 months and has a fever, contact your doctor to make sure the fever isn’t caused by a serious health problem.
For pain: It works best if you give the medicine to your child when the pain starts or before it gets too bad. Give it to your child for no more than 5 days, unless a doctor says you can.
For fever: Give it to your child for no more than 3 days, unless a doctor says you can.

Let your healthcare provider know if they have pain or fever that lasts more than 5 days.

What you need to know about different forms of this medicine

Acetaminophen comes in many forms. It comes as a pill, liquid, and a suppository (a form that is put in the rectum and may be used if your child can’t swallow medicine or keep it down). Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about these forms of acetaminophen.

What you need to know about how often to give this medicine

You can give acetaminophen every 4-6 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 5 doses in 24 hours. Your child’s dose depends on their weight. You can find the right dose for your child on the package or ask your doctor or pharmacist.

When to get help

Call 911 if your child has trouble breathing or the face, tongue, or throat start to swell.

Call your doctor or Health Link right away if your child:

is unusually tired
is dizzy
has yellow eyes or skin
has a red, itchy rash or swelling
feels sick to the stomach or is throwing up
has pain in their belly
has sores in mouth, nose, throat, or eyes
has dark urine

Contact your doctor if your child isn’t getting better or seems to be getting worse.

If you have any questions or concerns about this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

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If you think your child may have been given too much of this medicine, call the poison control centre (PADIS) 24/7 at 1-800-332-1414 or go to an emergency department.

Current as of:

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This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.