Acetaminophen Safety Q&A
At Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, we are committed to providing the most up-to-date information about pediatric health care. James Heubi, MD, gastroenterologist at Cincinnati Children's answers some commom questions parents have about the safety of acetaminophen (Tylenol™).
- Why is the safety of Tylenol™ (acetaminophen) being questioned now, when it has long been regarded as one of the safest drugs on the market for kids?
The safety of acetaminophen has actually been studied by the medical community for some time. While it is generally safe, acetaminophen overdose is the most common cause of liver failure in adults and thus it has been studied extensively. Luckily, the problem in children seems to be less than adults, but accidental or non-intentional overdose is a common cause of liver failure in children and adolescents as well.
- Should I stop giving my kids Tylenol™?
There is no evidence that acetaminophen is dangerous to children when given as directed.
- Do you have any advice to help parents understand labels so they don't accidentally give kids too much?
Parents should carefully read dosing instructions and never exceed recommended dosing for age. If a child is small for their age, parents should always choose the next smaller dose.
Parents should also be aware that there are currently two different strengths of liquid Tylenol™ on the market. They must make sure to read the directions every time and not just assume they know the dosage because it can be a different strength than what they had previously.
Parents also need to be aware that combination drugs (cough/cold medications) can contain acetaminophen and must be included when calculating how much a child has had in a 24 hour period.
- If a child has consistently been prescribed a drug containing acetaminophen, should parents look for signs of liver damage, and if so, what would those signs be?
If the medication has been given in standard weight or age-based doses, there should be minimal risk of liver damage.
The most typical signs of overdose are nausea and vomiting. More severe symptoms might include lethargy, disorientation, coma, jaundice or bleeding problems, but these are rare.
- If parents want to avoid Tylenol™, what can they give kids instead?
Acetaminophen remains the safest analgesic/fever reducer on the market. Alternatives would be non-steroidal drugs such as ibuprofen but this drug can cause stomach and kidney injury and may not be as safe as acetaminophen.
