Acetaminophen maximum daily dose
Weight- and risk-adjusted acetaminophen limits for adults and children.
Inputs
1 of 3years
Actual (total) body weight
Liver risk (alcohol, malnutrition, liver disease)
Patient values are shared with every calculator.
When to use
- Checking a total daily acetaminophen plan, including combination products.
Pearls and pitfalls
- Count every source (combination opioids, cold medicines).
- Chronic alcohol use, malnutrition, low weight, and liver disease: limit to 2–3 g/day.
- IV: under 50 kg, 15 mg/kg every 6 h or 12.5 mg/kg every 4 h, max 75 mg/kg/day.
Why use
Prevents the most common cause of acute liver failure in the US.
Children: 15 mg/kg per dose (max 1000 mg) up to 75 mg/kg/day (max 4 g); adults: 4 g/day, 2–3 g/day with liver risk