Others confuse acetaminophen with aspirin or believe that it is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like aspirin (salicylate), Aleve (naproxen), or Advil (ibuprofen). Confusion like this can sometimes lead to the inappropriate use of Tylenol in both children and adults.
Acetaminophen 101
Tylenol (acetaminophen) gained popularity in the 1980s as parents became increasingly aware of the link between aspirin and a potentially deadly inflammatory disorder known as Reye’s syndrome.
Acetaminophen is commonly used as a fever reducer (antipyretic) and pain reliever (analgesic). Unlike NSAIDs, however, acetaminophen does not reduce inflammation. As such, it is the wrong choice if you’re looking for relief from muscle aches or joint pains.
On the flip side, acetaminophen does not cause stomach upset like NSAIDs and, unlike naproxen and ibuprofen, can be used in people with heart problems or high blood pressure.
Acetaminophen is available in different formulations including pills, chewable tablets, syrups, suppositories, and even intravenous (IV) solutions.
Children’s Medications Containing Acetaminophen
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, more than 600 medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, contain acetaminophen as the active ingredient. These include children’s and infant’s formulations.
Increasingly, drug manufacturers have begun to print “acetaminophen” bold on the front label to help parents know exactly what they’re giving their kids. Some of the more popular children’s formulations containing acetaminophen include:
Infants’ Tylenol Oral SuspensionChildren’s Tylenol Oral SuspensionChildren’s Tylenol Meltaway Chewable TabletsJr. Tylenol Chewable TabletsLittle Fevers Infant Fever/Pain RelieverPediaCare Infants Fever Reducer Pain RelieverPediaCare Children Acetaminophen Oral SuspensionPediaCare Children Cough and Sore Throat Plus AcetaminophenPediaCare Children Multi-Symptom Cold Plus AcetaminophenPediaCare Children Cough and Runny Nose Plus AcetaminophenPediaCare Children Flu plus AcetaminophenTriaminic Infants’ Syrup Fever Reducer Pain RelieverTriaminic Fever Reducer Pain RelieverTriaminic Multi-Symptom FeverTriaminic Cough & Sore ThroatFeverAll Acetaminophen SuppositoriesChildren’s Mucinex Multi-Symptom Cold & Fever LiquidWalgreens Infants’ Pain & Fever Acetaminophen Oral SuspensionNyQuil Cold/Flu ReliefRobitussin Severe Multi-Symptom Cough, Cold + Flu NighttimeTheraflu Day & Nighttime Severe Cold & Cough Relief Tea PacketsExcedrinLortab
Considerations for Children
When choosing a cold, flu, or multi-symptom drug for your child, always read the ingredient label. If it contains acetaminophen, do not give the child a separate Tylenol.
An acetaminophen overdose is always a concern since it can lead to possible liver damage or failure. Early symptoms in children may include nausea, fatigue, vomiting, heaving sweating, and pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen.
In fact, overdose and liver toxicity can occur if a child is given a single dose greater than 150 milligrams per kilogram. (Pounds are converted to kilograms by dividing by the child’s weight in pounds by 2.205.)
To help decrease the risk in younger children, manufacturers have standardized acetaminophen dosages in oral suspensions so that one brand of syrup doesn’t have more or less the other.
Concerningly, some drug manufacturers still produce concentrated acetaminophen drops for infants, the product of which should be used with extreme caution (or avoided entirely). Other manufacturers have dropped the product from their lines altogether.
