$Unique_ID{BRK00120}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Recommending the Dosage of Acetaminophen for Children}
$Subject{fever acetaminophen child medicines Infection Infections Children
Dosage temperature fevers drug aspirin Reye's Reye syndrome syndromes Dose
dosages medicine blood temperatures drugs aspirins Doses}
$Volume{A-7,S-7}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Recommending the Dosage of Acetaminophen for Children


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QUESTION:  When my two-year old had a temperature of 102 degrees, I gave him
the recommended dose (per the label) of one of the popular pediatric OTC
acetaminophen preparations, which did not seem to work.  Can you recommend
something else?

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ANSWER:  This is an all too common complaint--I hear it in my office at
midnight, when I meet a hapless parent there, who has been unable to get his
child's fever down and feels utterly helpless.  Acetaminophen is the drug of
choice in reducing fever in children, especially since we now know about the
ability of aspirin to cause Reye's syndrome for those under eighteen years of
age.  And it does work, but you must give the proper dosage.  Did you give it
every four hours, as indicated?  Did you clearly read the label and give the
dose recommended for your child's age, or did you under dose, as is the case
with so many parents?  If you followed the instructions exactly, call your
family doctor and speak with him or his nurse.  Dose is dependent on weight,
not on age.  If your child is heavier than the normal two-year-old, his dosage
should be increased.  Acetaminophen reduces fever, if we use it correctly.
Find out the proper dosage from your physician or his nurse.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.