Is acetaminophen (Tylenol) safe for a 4-month-old infant with teething pain?

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Last updated: February 10, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Research

Safety of Acetaminophen for Infants

  • The safety of acetaminophen for infants, particularly those with teething pain, is a topic of ongoing debate 1.
  • A systematic review found that while acetaminophen is widely believed to be safe for use in infants and children, there is limited evidence to support its safety for neurodevelopment 1.
  • The review noted that most studies on the safety of acetaminophen in infants had a short follow-up time and did not assess neurodevelopment 1.

Recommendations for Infant Teething Treatment

  • A study on pharmacists' recommendations for infant teething treatment found that many would inappropriately recommend benzocaine-containing products despite warnings about the risk of methemoglobinemia 2.
  • The study suggested that further education is needed to ensure that healthcare providers are aware of the potential harm of certain products for infant teething 2.
  • Another study discussed the pediatric dosing of acetaminophen, recommending single doses in the range of 10-15 mg/kg at 4-hour intervals 3.

Acetaminophen Use in Children

  • Acetaminophen is a commonly used medication in children for treating fever and pain, with its efficacy well accepted among clinicians 4.
  • A review of the available evidence on the use of acetaminophen in children provided a framework to guide clinicians on its rational use 4.
  • Another study reviewed the pharmacodynamics, indications, contraindications, and precautions for the use of intravenous acetaminophen in pediatrics 5.

References

Research

What are pharmacists recommending for infant teething treatment?

Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA, 2018

Research

Pediatric dosing of acetaminophen.

Pediatric pharmacology (New York, N.Y.), 1983

Research

The Three W's of Acetaminophen In Children: Who, Why, and Which Administration Mode.

The journal of pediatric pharmacology and therapeutics : JPPT : the official journal of PPAG, 2023

Research

Intravenous acetaminophen use in pediatrics.

Pediatric emergency care, 2015

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.