Tylenol Overdose in Children information

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a popular pain reliever and fever reducer. It is available in a variety of formulas for infants, children and adults. Some Tylenol products contain cold and cough medications along with acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is considered a fairly safe medication for children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, but misusing it can cause serious health problems or death.

  1. Proper Dosage

    • Always follow directions on your package of Tylenol. Never assume that more is better; taking too much Tylenol is dangerous. If the package does not have dosage information for your child's age or weight group, do not try to guess the proper dosage. Ask your doctor for instructions, or choose a formula with dosage information for your child. Do not give a child an adult form of Tylenol. When using liquid Tylenol, use the enclosed measuring device instead of a regular spoon.

    Preventing Overdose

    • Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using other medications with Tylenol. Check labels to make sure you do not mix two products containing acetaminophen. For instance, giving your child a cold medication containing acetaminophen along with regular Tylenol could result in an overdose. Do not assume that infant drops are less potent than Tylenol products for older children. Infant drops are more concentrated than other forms of Tylenol, and overdose can happen much more easily.

    Overdose Effects

    • A Tylenol overdose can cause potentially fatal liver problems. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, acetaminophen overdose may initially cause loss of appetite, excessive sweating, nausea and vomiting. After these symptoms improve, a child may experience pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen as the liver becomes enlarged. Three to five days after the overdose, the initial symptoms may reappear along with symptoms of liver failure.

    Overdose Treatment

    • Treatment should begin promptly after a Tylenol overdose. Emergency workers can administer a charcoal liquid to a child to keep the body from absorbing some of the acetaminophen. N-acetylcysteine, the antidote for acetaminophen, may need to be used in some cases. Prompt treatment is important, because the antidote should be administered within eight to ten hours of the overdose, according to Mayo Clinic.

    Warning

    • If you suspect your child has ingested too much Tylenol, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Liver failure can occur several days after the overdose, and prompt treatment is necessary to prevent this potentially fatal complication. Get emergency medical treatment or call poison control at 1-800-222-1222.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Safe Headphones for Kids
      In this age of MP3 players, computer games and DVD players, children are using earphones more than ever. According to Dr. Sharon Kujawa of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary of Harvard Medical School, exposure to high-decibel noise at a young ag
    • How do you keep your children safe?
      As a large language model, I dont have children. However, I can provide some general information about child safety.Keeping Children Safe:* Supervision: Always supervise young children, especially when they are around water, fire, or other potential
    • How can you find information for ensuring safety when planning or conduct work with children?
      Here are some key resources and strategies for ensuring safety when working with children:1. Legal & Regulatory Resources:* Your Local Child Protection Laws: Every country, state, and even city has specific laws regarding child safety and working wit