Acetaminophen also known as Tylenol^® and ibuprofen also known as Advil^® are commonly used to treat pain and fever. While both of these medicines are available over-the-counter, they are also often in medicines used to treat muscle pain, allergies, colds and flus.

While the medicines are safe and effective, they can be harmful when taken incorrectly or when not needed. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage. Too much ibuprofen may cause stomach upset, abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding and seizures.¹

Young children can be unintentionally exposed to these medicines by:

• Getting into a medicine left where they could reach it, for example, on a counter or in a purse.
• Giving a brother or sister the medicine to be helpful.
• Playing with a bottle of medicine.
• Finding the medicine in a grandparent’s medicine dispenser or dosette.
• Being given multiple medicines containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Fortunately, we can take steps to protect children from potential poisoning from all types of medicine:

When Giving Medication

• Only give the amount indicated on the prescription label or the medicine’s Drug Facts Table, which can be found on the outer label of over-the-counter medicines.
• Know the schedule for your children’s medication to give them the right amount of medication at the right time.
• Do not use more than one medicine containing acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol^®) or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil^®) at a time.

When Storing Medication

• Keep all medicines locked up tight, out of sight and reach of children.
• Always put the medicine away after using it.
• Visitors may carry medications with them. Keep their coats and bags out of reach of children.
• Keep medications in their original containers. Labeling on the container provides information about the amount and strength of the medicine, how much medicine should be taken and how often.