An overdose of this common over-the-counter fever reducer can cause kidney or liver damage in children.
Although acetaminophen is one of the safest medicines for treating your child's fever, too much of the drug might cause more pain than it relieves. Overdoses of acetaminophen -- the active ingredient in Children's Tylenol -- have been blamed for kidney and liver damage in children.
In a study at Emory University School of Medicine, researchers asked 100 parents to measure using a teaspoon, syringe, or dropper what they believed was the correct dose of acetaminophen for their children's fevers. Almost 10 percent of the parents tested would have given too much medicine.
Signs that a child has been exposed to too much acetaminophen include nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. The symptoms often resemble the flu. If you think a child has overdosed, take the child to the emergency room immediately. If treated quickly, the child usually won't suffer permanent physical damage.
Dr. Laura Ibsen, a pediatric critical care doctor at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron, Ohio, suggests the following tips to prevent an overdose in your child:
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