Tylenol (acetaminophen) doesn't generally cause side effects at recommended doses. If too much is taken, it can cause liver damage. For most adults, the maximum daily dose of Tylenol is 4,000 mg. This amount might be lower depending on your past medical history.

How much Tylenol is safe to take per day depends on your age and medical conditions. If you are not sure what the safe max dose of Tylenol is to take in one day or how much you can take at once, consult your healthcare provider. Tylenol is available in many different dosage forms and in combination products found over the counter. Keep track of how much Tylenol you take each day by checking the product labels.

Infants

For infants, your child’s pediatrician can tell you the safe dose of Tylenol. Always check with them before giving Tylenol. Additional Tylenol dosage charts for infants can be found here.

Oral formulations

Over-the-counter oral Tylenol products do not have dosing information for children younger than 2 years old. Your child’s pediatrician can recommend the safest dose for your newborn or infant. The dose will depend on their body weight and age, and may be given every 4 to 6 hours. It is not recommended to give your child more than 4 doses in 24 hours.

Note: Infant’s Tylenol and Children’s Tylenol come in the same strength (160 mg/5 mL), but the Infant’s Tylenol usually comes with a dosing syringe and Children’s Tylenol comes with a dosing cup.

Age	0 to 3 months	4 to 11 months	12 to 23 months
Weight	3-5 kg (6-11 lbs)	5-7 kg (12-17 lbs)	8-10 kg (18-23 lbs)
Tylenol dose (160 mg/5 mL strength)	1.25 mL	2.5 mL	3.75 mL

Rectal formulations

The suppository form of Tylenol may be used by babies who are at least 6 months old. They can be found over the counter. As with the oral formulations, it is not recommended to give your child under 11 months old more than 4 doses in 24 hours. If your baby is under 6 months old, ask their pediatrician if they can use Tylenol suppositories.

Age	Dose (80 mg suppository)	Maximum dose in 24 hours
6 to 11 months	1 suppository every 6 hours as needed	4 doses
12 to 36 months	1 suppository every 4 to 6 hours	5 doses

Do not use Tylenol suppositories for more than 3 days without consulting with your child’s pediatrician first.

Children

Tylenol for children comes in a variety of dosage forms over the counter. Older children can take capsules and tablets, and for younger children there are liquids, chewable tablets, dissolvable powder packs, and rectal suppositories.

Different formulations may have different strengths, so it is important to read the product label carefully to find out the dose that is safe for your child. Dosing information is available on over-the-counter products for children 2 years and older. Children 12 years and older can use the adult dosing instructions for most products. Make sure to check the max dose per day.

Additional Tylenol dosage charts for children can be found here.

Oral formulations

Dosing for Tylenol oral formulations is based on your child’s age and weight. When possible, use your child’s weight first. Most products can be given every 4 to 6 hours, but check the label on your product for how often you can give it. It is not recommended to give more than 5 doses in a 24-hour period regardless of your child’s age or weight.

Age	2 to 3 years	4-5 years	6-8 years	9-10 years	11 years
Weight	11-15 kg (24-35 lbs)	16-21 kg (36-47 lbs)	22-26 kg (48-59 lbs)	27-32 kg (60-71 lbs)	33-43 kg (72-95 lbs)
Tylenol liquid dose (160 mg/5 mL strength)	5 mL	7.5 mL	10 mL	12.5 mL	15 mL
Tylenol chewable tablets (160 mg)	1 tablet	1 and ½ tablets	2 tablets	2 and ½ tablets	3 tablets
Tylenol powder packs (160 mg)	N/A	N/A	2 packets	2 packets	3 packets
Tylenol regular strength tablets (325 mg)	N/A	N/A	1 tablet	1 tablet	1 tablet
Max doses in 24 hours	5 doses	5 doses	5 doses	5 doses	5 doses

Rectal formulations

The dose of Tylenol rectal suppositories is higher in the children’s versions than the dose found in the infant’s version. The children's suppositories can be used over the counter by children 3 years and older. It is not recommended to give your child more than 5 doses in a 24-hour period.

Age	Dose	Maximum dose in 24 hours
3 to 6 years	One 120 mg suppository every 4 to 6 hours	5 doses
6 to 12 years	One 325 mg suppository every 4 to 6 hours	5 doses
12 years and older	Two 235 mg suppositories every 4 to 6 hours	6 doses

Do not use Tylenol suppositories for more than 3 days without consulting with your child’s pediatrician first.

Related questions

• Acetaminophen vs paracetamol: What do you need to know?
• What's the best medicine for sore throat?
• Can you take Advil & Tylenol together? Safe Dosing Guide

Adults

How many Tylenol tablets or capsules adults can take depends on the strength and your health conditions. In general, adults may take up to 4,000 mg per day total. This includes all medications you might be taking that contain acetaminophen. In 2011, the maker of Tylenol reduced the maximum recommended dose to 3,250 mg per day for the 325 mg formulations and 3,000 mg for the 500 mg formulations based on suggestions from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Your product or healthcare provider might recommend a different maximum daily dose. Adults with a history of liver problems should consult their healthcare provider before taking Tylenol. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends people with liver disease should limit their daily maximum of Tylenol to 2,000 mg per day, or less with more severe disease.

Tylenol products are usually found in 325 mg (regular strength), 500 mg (extra strength), and 650 mg (8-hour) strengths. The typical dose is 2 tablets or capsules by mouth every 4-8 hours, depending on the product.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum dose of Tylenol in 24 hours?

The maximum recommended dose of Tylenol (acetaminophen) for a healthy adult is 4,000 mg in 24 hours. Exceeding this can increase the risk of liver damage. For some people—including older adults, those with liver disease, or people who drink alcohol regularly—a lower maximum may be safe.

How much Tylenol can I take at once?

Most adults can take 650 mg to 1,000 mg per dose, spaced at least every 4 to 6 hours. Never take more than the suggested amount on the packaging, as higher dosages raise the risk of side effects, especially to the liver.

Is it safe to take 2,000 mg of Tylenol daily?

Taking 2,000 mg of Tylenol per day is generally considered below the maximum limit for most healthy adults, but those with chronic conditions, liver concerns, or who use alcohol may need to take less. Always check with a healthcare provider if you have concerns about daily dosing.

How many Tylenol 500mg can I take in a day?

Adults should not take more than eight 500mg tablets in 24 hours (equal to 4,000 mg). Take one to two 500mg tablets every 4–6 hours as needed, but do not exceed this limit. If you have health issues or take other medications, confirm the right dose with your doctor.

What should I do if I accidentally take too much Tylenol?

If you exceed the maximum dose or think you have taken too much acetaminophen, seek medical help immediately—even if you feel well. Early treatment is critical if overdose occurs because symptoms of liver damage can take hours to appear.

Can I take Tylenol every day?

Tylenol can be safely used for occasional pain or fever. If you need to take acetaminophen every day for more than a few days, check with your healthcare provider to avoid unintentional overdose or liver stress.

Special Considerations and Populations

Certain individuals may be advised to take a lower amount of Tylenol, or avoid it altogether. Below are special considerations for taking Tylenol.

Liver Disease, Alcohol Use, and Age

• People with liver disease: Should not exceed 2,000 mg per day, and in many cases, should avoid acetaminophen unless cleared by their doctor.
• Heavy alcohol users (more than three drinks a day): The safe maximum may be considerably less, or Tylenol may not recommended at all by a healthcare provider.
• Older adults (65+): May be at higher risk for liver injury and should consider reduced dosing.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Kidney Issues

• Pregnant or breastfeeding: Acetaminophen is commonly used as first-choice pain relief when necessary. Always confirm with your healthcare provider before frequent use.
• Kidney disease: Standard doses are generally safe for mild kidney disease, but those with significant impairment should consult their doctor for personal recommendations.

Children and Infants

Never give adult formulations to children. Dosage should be strictly based on weight and age, and only using pediatric products and dosing devices. Consult a pediatrician for exact amounts per kilogram (mg/kg) and never guess the dose. Liquid products may contain different strengths, and some should not be interchanged.

Combination Product and Drug Interaction Awareness

Many prescription and over-the-counter medicines contain acetaminophen, including pain relievers, cold and flu remedies, and sleep medications. Taking more than one product with acetaminophen can easily exceed the maximum safe dose.

Examples of common combination products:

• Cold/flu: NyQuil, DayQuil, Theraflu, Alka-Seltzer Plus, Excedrin
• Prescription pain meds: Vicodin, Percocet, Norco, Tylenol with Codeine

Additional Drug Interaction Risks

• Alcohol: Increases risk of severe liver damage when combined with acetaminophen, even at regular doses.
• Other medications: Some anticonvulsants, tuberculosis medications, and certain antibiotics may make acetaminophen more toxic to the liver. Always check with a healthcare provider when starting new prescriptions.

Key Safety Tips

• Always read labels on all medicines to identify acetaminophen.
• Avoid taking two or more medicines that list acetaminophen, APAP, or paracetamol as an ingredient at the same time.
• Check with your pharmacist when using new medications or when unsure.

This is not all the information you need to know about Tylenol (acetaminophen) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

References

1. American College of Gasteroenterology. Updated 2022. Medications and the Liver: Overview. Accessed 12/02/2024 at https://gi.org/topics/medications-and-the-liver/
2. Feverall Childrens [package insert]. Updated July 2019. Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A. Inc. Accessed 12/02/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=861e2987-5473-45b0-b2a6-f980a9b0e809&type=display
3. Feverall Infants [package insert]. Updated July 2019. Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A. Inc. Accessed 12/02/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3ade895b-5dca-4d81-9415-8091923162ff
4. Feverall Jr. Strength [package insert]. Updated July 2019. Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A. Inc. Accessed 12/02/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3561bbc3-53b0-4857-8b71-39e165ed95ce
5. Healthychildren.org. 2024. Acetaminophen Dosing Tables for Fever and Pain in Children. Accessed 12/02/2024 at  https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/Pages/Acetaminophen-for-Fever-and-Pain.aspx
6. Healthychildren.org. 2024. How to Use Liquid Medicines for Children. American Academy of Pediatrics. Accessed 12/02/2024 at https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/Pages/Using-Liquid-Medicines.aspx
7. Krenzelok, E. P., et. al. 2012. Confusion: Acetaminophen Dosing Changes Based on NO Evidence in Adults. In: Drugs in R&D. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/11633010-000000000-00000
8. Tylenol.com. n.d. Dosing for Adults Acetaminophen Products. Accessed 12/02/2024 at https://www.tylenol.com/safety-dosing/dosage-for-adults
9. Tylenol.com. n.d. Dosing for TYLENOL® Children’s & Infants’ Acetaminophen Products. Accessed 12/02/2024 at https://www.tylenol.com/safety-dosing/dosage-for-children-infants
10. Tylenol.com. n.d. Infants' TYLENOL® Oral Suspension. Accessed 12/02/2024 at https://www.tylenol.com/products/children-infants/infants-tylenol-oral-suspension
11. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 02/2024. Don’t Overuse Acetaminophen. Accessed on 12/02/2024 at https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/dont-overuse-acetaminophen

Read next

See also:

Related medical questions

• Can I take Meloxicam and Aleve or Tylenol together?
• Is Tylenol (acetaminophen) a blood thinner?
• Is acetaminophen (Tylenol) an NSAID Drug?
• Can I take Tylenol while pregnant?
• Does Tylenol cause autism, what do the studies say?
• How long does it take for Tylenol to start working?
• Can I take cyclobenzaprine and Tylenol together?
• Is acetaminophen the same as Tylenol?
• Is Tylenol (acetaminophen) an NSAID?
• Can I give my dog or cat Tylenol (acetaminophen)?
• OTC Water Pills
• Can I take Tylenol while taking indomethacin and can these drugs be alternated every 3 hours?
• Is Tylenol (acetaminophen) an anti-inflammatory drug?
• Over the Counter Medication for Pets
• How do I treat back pain without using opioids?
• How Can I Treat Muscle Strain or Pain?
• Why do drugs have brand names and a generic name?
• Can Tylenol (acetaminophen) cause bruising?
• High blood pressure or heart disease: Which drugs should I be careful with?
• What should you keep in your medicine cabinet for kids?
• Can I use Tylenol for dengue fever?
• I have Monkeypox (Mpox): What should I do?
• I have Mpox: What should I do?
• Staying Safe while taking Acetaminophen

Drug information

• Tylenol Information for Consumers
• Side Effects of Tylenol (detailed)
• Tylenol user reviews (32)

Related support groups

• Tylenol (211 questions, 232 members)
• Pain (2,287 questions, 11,954 members)
• Headache (422 questions, 1,468 members)
• Fever (105 questions, 175 members)
• Muscle Pain (167 questions, 574 members)

Medical Disclaimer