Liquid acetaminophen for infants, children are the same concentration

All infants’ and children’s liquid acetaminophen products are available on store shelves in a single, uniform concentration - 160 mg/5 mL - for all children under 12 years of age. The industry-wide move will phase out the concentrated liquid drops for infants.

The new uniform formulation is the same one currently found in Children’s Tylenol Suspension and its generic equivalents.

The change is expected to help reduce dosing errors that can lead to accidental overdoses, with potential complications such as liver damage. More than 600 over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription products include acetaminophen.

For parents, especially those with young children of varying ages, the different concentrations and dosing devices for the two acetaminophen concentrations has been confusing. Some parents may not have known there was a difference.

As a result of the change, the 80 mg/0.8 mL concentration will be discontinued. Products in both formulations (the 80 mg/0.8 mL and the 160 mg/5mL) still may be found on store shelves - and in home medicine cabinets - during the transition period.

During the transition, health care professionals should remind parents to read product labels, paying special attention to the concentration in the product, and only use the dispensing device that accompanies the product. Health care personnel should verify with parents and caregivers their product’s concentration before advising on dosing directions.

Infants’ TYLENOL® will include SIMPLEMEASURE®, a new, enhanced bottle with a protective opening and push-in syringe designed to:
  • Provide even more accurate dosing and easier administration to infants
     
  • Allow for better control when dispensing with fewer spills
     
  • Further reduce the risk of children getting to the medicine in the bottle

The new, enhanced bottle with protective opening is available now in stores.

Dosage Change

Look for new dosing directions on Infants’ TYLENOL®.

  • To help minimize medication errors, Infants’ TYLENOL® will now have the same concentration of the active ingredient, acetaminophen, as Children’s TYLENOL®, which will standardize dosing across the products and age groups.