A few months ago, it was announced that there would be an industry-wide transition from the old infants’ acetaminophen (Tylenol) concentrated drops (80mg/0.8ml) to a new concentration of infants’ acetaminophen suspension (160mg/5ml).
In the past, there have always been two different concentrations of liquid Tylenol on the market -one for children and one for infants. Now, with the transition in place, there will be only one concentration (160mg/5ml) for all OTC pediatric single-ingredient liquid Tylenol products.
What’s the reason for the change? Simply to decrease the chances for medication errors as parents were at times getting confused between the two infants’ and childrens’ acetaminophen products.
The recommended dose of Tylenol will remain the same at 10-15mg/kg. The difference is the approriate Tylenol dose is being given in a larger volume of liquid. Definitely read the label on the box to get the correct amount of Tylenol needed to dose your child!
Be very aware there may be a point in time where both the old and new concentrations of infants’ Tylenol liquid products will be available on store shelves. Either product is fine to use, just make sure you know which one you have so you can dose your child correctly!
There will be no changes made to childrens’ Tylenol dosing.
Do not hesitate to stop in at your local pharmacy if you’re concerned about dosing issues related to infants’ tylenol products. Better safe than sorry, right?!
Have you seen these new packages? Do they come with a dropper? I can figure out the dosing, but how to get it into my child, that takes skills!
Hi Kari, Yes they should come with a dropper. However, if anything doesn’t have a dropper just go to the pharmacy and ask them for a dropper or syringe. They should give you it for free. Most pharmacies can actually put a little stopper in the bottle so that you can draw it up easily with a syringe -Target is good about this.