Parents will soon see big changes to their usual over-the-counter (OTC) pediatric pain relievers. The makers of many store-brand acetaminophen drugs say they will standardize dosing for children and infants in an effort to improve the safety of the products.

The decision to implement these changes is based on research and recent reports of accidental overdoses in children, according to the Food and Drug Administration. In several cases of overdose, liquid infant acetaminophen drops were mistaken for the children’s version of the pain killer.

The children and infant versions of OTC pain killers differ in their acetaminophen dosages, says Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Pharmacist Kelley Lee. One teaspoonful of the infant drops contains 500 mg of acetaminophen, where one teaspoonful of the children's product contains only 160 mg.

“Confusing the two products will result in a very large difference in the dose,” says Lee. “When acetaminophen is given in larger doses than intended it can cause great harm to the child.”

By creating one formula, drugmakers hope to eliminate the dosage confusion.

Also in an effort to reduce dosing errors, the products will feature a new dosing device – a syringe, instead of a dropper. The new formula will also be free of high fructose corn syrup and dye, based on the preference of most mothers as reflected in the drug companies’ research.

These products are scheduled to hit the market in September. Until then, parents and caregivers should be particularly careful when a physician or pharmacist has recommended a dose for their child, says Lee.

“Parents should be sure they understand which version – infant or child – the clinician has based the recommended dose on,” she said. “If no dose is recommended, the parent should always read the product label and never give more than is stated for their child’s age or weight.”

Always double check the label, even if you’ve given your child acetaminophen in the past.