Guide
Gave your child too much medicine? What to do now
Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away, even if your child seems fine. Poison Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 100 languages. Call 911 instead if your child is having trouble breathing, can’t be woken, or is having a seizure.
Do this now
- If your child isn’t breathing, can’t be woken or is seizing, call 911.
- Otherwise, call 1-800-222-1222.
- Keep the medicine bottle in your hand so you can read the name and strength.
- Don’t try to make your child vomit, and don’t give anything else unless the poison center tells you to.
What they’ll ask
- The medicine’s name and strength (for example, 160 mg per 5 mL).
- How much your child got, and when.
- Your child’s age and weight.
- Any symptoms, and any other medicines given in the last day.
Why it matters even if your child seems fine
Some overdoses, including acetaminophen (Tylenol), may not cause symptoms right away, and treatment works best when it starts early. The poison center will tell you whether your child can be watched at home or needs to be seen.
Preventing the next one
- Keep one written log of every dose when more than one adult is caring for your child.
- Use the syringe that came with the medicine, measured in mL. How to measure liquid medicine.
- Check cold and flu products for hidden acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Store medicines and vitamins, including melatonin gummies, up and out of reach.
- Save 1-800-222-1222 in your phone.
Common questions
I gave my baby too much Tylenol. What do I do?
Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 now, even if your baby seems fine. Acetaminophen overdose may not cause symptoms at first, and early treatment matters.
I gave a double dose by mistake. Should I skip the next one?
Call Poison Help first and follow their advice. Don’t try to balance it out on your own.
Should I make my child throw up?
No. Don’t try to make your child vomit unless a poison expert tells you to.
Sources
- Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222, available 24/7 in over 100 languages. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Checked 2026-09-25.
- Over-the-Counter Pediatric Oral Liquid Drug Products Containing Acetaminophen: Guidance for Industry. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, August 2015. Checked 2026-09-25.
- Melatonin Use in Pediatrics: A Clinical Review on Indications, Multisystem Effects, and Toxicity (Shenoy et al.). Children (Basel), 2024 (PMC10968776). Checked 2026-09-25.