“Improper dosing is one of the biggest problems in giving acetaminophen to children,” says Sandra Kweder, M.D., deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of New Drugs.
In a recent online article about the safe use of acetaminophen, the agency said an advisory panel in May recommended a reduction of strengths of liquid, chewable, and tablet forms to just one strength from seven; that dosing instructions to reduce fever be developed for children as young as six months; that dosing instructions be based on weight, not just age; and that standards be set for dosing devices.
