Recommended Acetaminophen Dosage for 75-pound 11-year-old
For a 75-pound (34 kg) 11-year-old child, the recommended acetaminophen dose is 10-15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours, which equals 340-510 mg per dose, not to exceed 5 doses (2550 mg) in 24 hours. 1
Dosage Calculation
- For children weighing 34 kg (75 pounds), the appropriate single dose range is:
- Standard dosing interval: Every 4-6 hours as needed 1
- Maximum daily doses: Do not exceed 5 doses in 24 hours 2, 1
Administration Guidelines
- Acetaminophen can be administered in various forms (liquid, chewable tablets, regular tablets) 1
- For children 11 years old, tablets or liquid formulations are appropriate based on the child's preference and ability to swallow pills 2
- When using 325 mg tablets, 1 tablet (325 mg) falls within the recommended dose range 2, 1
- When using 500 mg tablets, these would exceed the minimum recommended dose for this weight, so they should be avoided or split 2
Important Considerations
- Accurate weight-based dosing is critical to ensure both efficacy and safety 1
- Overdosing acetaminophen can lead to hepatotoxicity, which is a significant concern 3
- Parents should record all dose times carefully to avoid accidentally exceeding the maximum recommended daily dose 4
- Acetaminophen is considered one of the safest analgesics and antipyretics for children when used at appropriate doses 1, 5
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Using adult formulations without proper dose adjustment can lead to overdosing 2, 3
- Confusion may arise from different product labeling - always check the concentration of the specific acetaminophen product being used 3
- Exceeding the recommended frequency (giving doses too close together) increases risk of toxicity 3
- Administering multiple medications containing acetaminophen without realizing it (many combination cold/flu products contain acetaminophen) 3