Dosage for Infants' Tylenol

To help reduce confusion and medication errors, a standardized concentration of Tylenol (acetaminophen) was introduced in June 2011.

As of June 2011, Tylenol—Infants' Tylenol Oral Suspension comes in a concentration of 160 mg per 5 ml, just like the concentration of Children's Tylenol Oral Suspension.

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Dosage for Infants' Tylenol

Baby playing with syrup bottle and spoon
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Infants' Tylenol Oral Suspension (160 mg/5 ml) replaces the older, more concentrated Infants' Concentrated Tylenol Drops, which was available at 80 mg per 0.8 ml and 80 mg per 1ml. The benefit of these concentrated drops was that younger infants and toddlers got to take less medicine. On the downside, it was easy to overdose your child if you gave the concentrated drops, but were using the dosage guidelines for the less concentrated Tylenol suspension. That would get your child over three times the recommended amount of Tylenol.

Unfortunately, these concentrations of acetaminophen were on the store shelves in 2011 and might still be squirreled away in your medicine cabinet at home. The older versions which might include Tylenol and other versions of acetaminophen include:

  • CVS Infants' Pain Relief Suspension Drops
  • Infants' Tylenol Oral Suspension
  • Infants' Concentrated Tylenol Drops
  • Little Fevers Infant Fever/Pain Reliever
  • PediaCare Infants Fever Reducer Pain Reliever
  • Triaminic Infants' Syrup Fever Reducer Pain Reliever
  • Walgreens Infants' Pain & Fever Acetaminophen Oral Suspension
  • Equate Infants' Concentrated Acetaminophen Suspension Drops
  • Equate Infants' Acetaminophen Suspension Liquid

To help reduce the chance of medication errors with acetaminophen, the FDA recommends that parents read the Drug Facts label to identify the concentration of acetaminophen in their product. Except for the youngest infants and toddlers, the Drug Facts label will also reveal the correct dosage and directions for use.

If you still need the dosage for Infants' Tylenol, go to:

  • Dosage for Infants' Tylenol Oral Suspension if the Drug Facts label says "160 mg per 5 ml" or "160 mg (in each 5 ml)"

Don't rely on seeing 'drops' or 'suspension' in the name to know what concentration of acetaminophen you have. For example, it is hard to know the concentration of the CVS Infants' Pain Relief Suspension Drops by just looking at the name.

Check the expiration date on the product and toss any products that are beyond that date. This will help ensure only current Tylenol formulations are in your home.

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Dosage for Infants' Tylenol Oral Suspension

Asian mother giving medicine to baby
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Tylenol or acetaminophen is commonly used as a fever reducer or pain reliever in children.

While safe and effective and designed to reduce medication errors, even the newer Infants' Tylenol Oral Suspension doesn't include a dosage for infants and toddlers under age two years.

To give your child a safe dose of medicine, you should:

  • Use a recent weight for your child
  • Check the Drug Facts label to confirm that it says "160 mg per 5 ml" or "160 mg (in each 5 ml)"
  • Get a dose below
  • Use the oral syringe that came with your medication to give the dose to your child
  • Write down the time you gave the dose so that you don't give another dose of the same medication too quickly

In addition to talking to your pediatrician about the reason you are giving your child a pain reliever or fever reducer, be sure to confirm the dose of acetaminophen with your pediatrician.

Dosage for Infants' Tylenol Oral Suspension

The dosage of Infants' Tylenol Oral Suspension will depend on your child's weight and age and includes:

  • 6-11 pounds (0-3 months) - 1.25ml
  • 12-17 pounds (4-11 months) - 2.5ml
  • 18-23 pounds (12-23 months) - 3.75ml
  • 24-35 pounds (2-3 years) - 5ml

Similar medications are available from many nationwide pharmacies, including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart (Equate), and Rite Aid, etc., plus other brands are available from:

  • PediaCare
  • Little Fevers
  • Triaminic

Tylenol dosages for older children are also available.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I give my 6-week-old Tylenol for a fever?

    No, it is not safe for children under three months of age to use Tylenol. If your infant has a fever (a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher), call the pediatrician for guidance. The doctor may want you to bring the baby into the office.

  • Is Infants' Tylenol stronger than Children's Tylenol?

    No, but it used to be. Before 2011, Infants' Tylenol came in a concentrated formula, so tiny mouths only needed a smaller amount of medicine. However, this created potential confusion for parents and caregivers.

    Infant Tylenol came in 80 mg/0.8 mL and 80 mg/mL concentrations, while Children’s Tylenol came in 160 mg/5 mL concentration. Today, both the children's and infants' varieties of Tylenol contain 160 mg/5 mL.

  • What is the difference between Infant's Tylenol and Children's Tylenol?

    The packaging is the only difference between Infants' Tylenol Oral Suspension and Children's Tylenol. Both varieties contain the same strength of acetaminophen—160 mg per 5mL. Infants Tylenol comes with an eyedropper for measuring smaller amounts, while Children's Tylenol comes with a medicine cup for larger doses.

4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. FDA. FDA drug safety communication: addition of another concentration of liquid acetaminophen marketed for infants.

  2. Drugs.com. Children's tylenol suspension.

  3. Tylenol. Acetaminophen dosage for infants and children.

  4. St. Louis Children's Hospital. Acetaminophen (tylenol) dose table.

By Vincent Iannelli, MD
 Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years.