Acetaminophen is a generic over-the-counter drug used to ease pain and reduce fever. The drug comes as oral tablets and oral capsules. It may be taken up to six times per day.
Acetaminophen oral tablets and capsules are used in adults and certain children to:
- ease minor aches and pains, such as muscle aches or headache
- reduce fever
Acetaminophen belongs to a group of drugs called analgesics. It’s a generic drug that’s also available as the brand-name drug Tylenol.
This article describes the dosages of acetaminophen, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about the drug, see this in-depth acetaminophen article.
Note: This article covers the oral tablet and oral capsule forms of acetaminophen. There are other over-the-counter oral forms available, such as a chewable tablet and an extended-release tablet. To learn more about these other forms, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The following table highlights the basics of acetaminophen’s dosage. All doses are listed in milligrams (mg).
| Age range | Recommended dosage | Maximum dosage in 24 hours |
|---|---|---|
| adults and children age 12 years and older | 650 mg (two tablets or capsules) every 4 to 6 hours as needed | 3,250 mg (10 tablets or capsules) |
| children ages 6 to 11 years | 325 mg (one tablet or capsule) every 4 to 6 hours as needed | 1,625 mg (five tablets or capsules) |
| children younger than age 6 years | talk with your child’s doctor | talk with your child’s doctor |
Keep reading for more details about acetaminophen’s dosage.
What are acetaminophen’s forms?
Acetaminophen is available as oral tablets and oral capsules.
What strength does acetaminophen come in?
Acetaminophen tablets and capsules each come in one strength of 325 mg.
What are the usual dosages of acetaminophen for adults?
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor recommends for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for minor aches and pains
The typical acetaminophen dosage for adults with minor aches and pains is 650 mg (two tablets or capsules) every 4 to 6 hours. You can take the drug as needed to ease your symptoms for up to 10 days.
If your aches and pains worsen or last for more than 10 days, contact your doctor. They can recommend ways to help manage your symptoms.
The maximum dosage of acetaminophen in 24 hours is 3,250 mg (10 tablets or capsules).
Dosage for fever
For adults with fever, the typical dosage of acetaminophen is 650 mg (two tablets or capsules) every 4 to 6 hours. You can take the drug as needed to reduce your fever for up to 3 days.
If your fever worsens or lasts for more than 3 days, contact your doctor. They may give you tests to check for infection or other possible causes of fever.
The maximum dosage of acetaminophen is 3,250 mg (10 tablets or capsules) in 24 hours.
What’s the dosage of acetaminophen for children?
Acetaminophen is used to ease minor aches and pains and reduce fever in children ages 6 years and older.
The acetaminophen dosage used in children ages 12 years and older is the same as the dosage for adults. To learn more, see the “What are the usual dosages of acetaminophen for adults?” section.
The typical acetaminophen dosage for children ages 6 to 11 years is 325 mg (one tablet or capsule) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. To ease pain, your child can take acetaminophen for up to 5 days. To reduce fever, they can take the drug for up to 3 days.
If your child’s pain or fever gets worse or lasts longer, contact their doctor. They can suggest ways to help manage your child’s symptoms. Or they may give your child tests to check for infection or other causes of fever.
For children ages 6 to 11 years, the maximum dosage of acetaminophen is 1,625 mg (five tablets or capsules) in 24 hours.
If your child has trouble swallowing capsules or tablets, talk with their doctor. Acetaminophen is also available in other forms that may be easier for your child to take, such as an oral liquid and a chewable tablet.
For more information about acetaminophen’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.
Is acetaminophen used long term?
No, you’ll usually take acetaminophen as a short-term treatment. Adults and children ages 12 years and older can take the drug for up to 3 days to reduce fever and up to 10 days to ease pain. Children ages 6 to 11 years can take it for up to 3 days to reduce fever and up to 5 days to ease pain.
Your doctor can provide more information on how long you can take acetaminophen.
Do not take more acetaminophen than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
What to do in case you take too much acetaminophen
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much acetaminophen. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.