Tylenol is a pain reliever that adults use for a variety of discomforts. Tylenol also comes in a liquid formula for young children and babies. While the recommended dosages may help relieve pain and fever, giving your baby too much Tylenol can pose certain health risks. As with all medications, always follow the label instructions or your doctor’s directives.
Tylenol
Tylenol is a brand name for acetaminophen, a type of analgesic. Acetaminophen can relieve pain and lower fever. A liquid suspension is available for babies and children too young to swallow pills. The correct dose depends on your baby’s age and weight.
Uses
Tylenol works by blocking the productions of chemicals that cause pain. This painkiller also helps to reduce your baby’s fever by adjusting the body’s thermostat. FamilyDoctor.org recommends giving your baby acetaminophen when he runs a fever over 100.2 degrees Fahrenheit, feels achy, and acts fussy. These symptoms may occur during teething or common viral infections.
Dosage
Tylenol’s company website provided dosage recommendations when giving Tylenol Infant Drops to children between the ages of 2 and 3 years. For children this age that weigh between 24 and 35 lbs., give 1.6 ml every four hours, limiting the medication to no more than five doses in a 24-hour period. Use the dropper enclosed with the bottle of Tylenol Infant Drops to provide accurate measurements. Release the medication in the dropper into your child’s mouth near his inner cheek. Don’t give Tylenol Infant Drops to children under the age of 2 years, without first obtaining your doctor’s approval.
Precautions
Giving your child more than the recommended dose of Tylenol can overload his liver, the organ that helps filter medications. An overdose of Tylenol can result in life-threatening liver problems. Combining medications, such as cold medicine and Tylenol, can increase the amount of acetaminophen your child consumes, leading to a possible overdose. Keep your baby safe by reading the labels on over-the-counter medications and storing them out of the reach of your baby and older children. Don’t substitute aspirin in place of acetaminophen. While too much acetaminophen may cause liver problems, giving aspirin to babies can cause Reye’s syndrome, an illness serious enough to lead to death.
Considerations
While Tylenol may help reduce your baby’s discomfort and relieve some of his symptoms, certain conditions require medical intervention. Discontinue giving your baby Tylenol and take him to a pediatrician if he runs a fever longer than three days or has pain that lasts longer than five days. Seek medical advice if your baby has redness, swelling, and a skin rash or experiences an ongoing headache.
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