On Wednesday, health advisors unanimously recommended that pediatric doses of acetaminophen be based on children’s weight. The panel advised the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that a child’s weight is the most accurate way to determine the proper dose. The advisers noted most over-the-counter manufacturers include dosing tables with both weight and age, but emphasized weight is the preferred method.
The panel also recommended that dosing instructions be added to labels of fever reducing medication for children under the age of 2. The Associated Press reported that in a 21-0 vote, the panel called for adding dosing instructions for children 6 months to 2 years old to medicines such as Children’s Tylenol and similar products. Currently, these labels only include children age 2 and up. Labels for kids under 2 only advise parents “to ask a doctor.” (more…)
