Acetaminophen is widely considered to be one of the safest and most effective ways to treat pain and fever in kids, when used as directed. But most acetaminophen products contain synthetic additives, synthetic preservatives, and artificial sweeteners.

So, we took a deep dive into the top “clean” kids’ pain and fever relief products - Genexa Kids' Pain & Fever, Children’s Tylenol Dye-Free, and Mommy’s Bliss Children's Acetaminophen. We conducted a hands-on comparison to identify the cleanest, tastiest, and most affordable option for families.

We also enlisted the help of children’s health expert Megan Conover (PA-C), to help us understand what to look for in children’s acetaminophen, what to avoid, and the ingredients that matter. One clear winner stood out for its clean ingredients, low cost, and kid-approved taste. Read on to find out which.

What to Look For in a Kids’ Pain and Fever Reducer

When selecting an acetaminophen-based pain and fever treatment for your child, consider:

1. Dosage:

Conover recommends a dosage of 160 mg per 5 mL for children aged 2 to 11 years. For kids under 2 years of age, look for infants’ pain & fever medications and always consult your pediatrician before using.

2. Clean Ingredients:

‍“It's best to avoid synthetic food dyes and any common allergens,” says Conover. Instead, opt for products with inactive ingredient lists that are short and rely on clean (non-artificial) additives.

3. Form:

For our test, we opted to compare the oral suspensions of all three brands. That’s because they are the easiest to swallow, and ensure that an appropriate dose is received.^1,2 Genexa and Tylenol also have chewable tablet options.

4. Taste:

‍Medicine won’t work unless your kids actually take it. Kid-friendly flavors are essential to ensure medicine goes down without a fuss!

5. Affordability:

‍Kids often need multiple doses over several days, so the price of pain & fever relief can add up.

The Contenders

Let’s break down our three brands by ingredients, price, and taste:

Ingredients: Genexa Wins With NO Artificial Additives

Genexa stands out with its short ingredient list (6 total) and no artificial additives; that means no artificial preservatives, dyes, or sweeteners. It’s certified vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and Alpha-gal safe,³ making it an excellent choice for kids with certain food allergies and dietary restrictions.

Although it now offers this dye-free option, Tylenol’s “cleaner” version still includes several synthetic additives and sweeteners:

• ‍Sorbitol Solution and Sucralose: While the FDA says Sorbitol Solution and Sucralose are safe, some studies have shown that these artificial sweeteners are associated with gut issues, bloating, gas, and even increased risks of heart disease and cancer.⁴ “Avoid artificial sweeteners in medication, when possible,” says Conover.

Like Tylenol, Mommy’s Bliss contains several artificial sweeteners and other unwanted additives:

• Sodium Benzoate: While the FDA says sodium benzoate is safe, some studies have suggested that when combined with vitamin C in food, drinks, or vitamins, it can form benzene, a carcinogen.⁵

Cost: It’s Mostly a Tie

On Amazon, all products are about $9-$10 for a 120mL bottle (5-15mL per dose, depending on weight).* For us, that’s close enough to rule out price as a major factor!

• Mommy’s Bliss: $8.99*
• Genexa: $9.99*
• Tylenol: $10.28*

Taste: Genexa’s Organic Blueberry is Surprisingly Yummy

Genexa’s organic blueberry flavor was a hit with our testers, making medicine time smoother for parents. “It’s a taste kids will like, but without added synthetic sugars,” says Conover.

In contrast, Tylenol was found to have “that fake, syrupy medicine taste” we all know from our childhood, according to one of our mom testers.

Finally, Mommy’s Bliss had a “strong, herbal taste” that was met with resistance from kids. One of our moms described it as “a screaming match trying to get them to take their meds.”

Our Verdict

Which kids’ pain and fever relief treatment is best for your child? After our testing and analysis, we recommend the product that has the shortest label, clean ingredients, and the best taste-all at the same price as the others. That’s Genexa.

After comparing each kids’ pain and fever relief product on ingredients, taste, and price, Genexa Kids' Pain & Fever emerged as the best. Its commitment to clean ingredients gets your child the relief they need - without unwanted additives.

Our children’s health expert, Megan Conover, agrees:

“I Recommend Genexa Kids’ Pain and Fever Relief to my patients. It works and has a taste kids like, without any of the synthetic sugars, artificial ingredients, or artificial preservatives.”

Ready to try Genexa? With TCD, save 20% on your purchase of a bundle or combo pack with code FLUSEASON20.

‍

^{1. European Medicines Agency: Liquid Medicine is Easer to Swallow}

^{2. European Medicines Agency: Liquid Ensures Appropriate Dosage}

^{3. Alpha-gal safe medicines are safe to take for those with Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). Those with alpha-gal sensitivity can have severe allergic reactions, or even death, if exposed to medications containing alpha-gal. Read more about AGS here.}

^{4. Cleveland Clinic: Negative Effects of Sorbitol Solution}

^{5. Center for Science in the Public Interest: Sodium Benzoate, Vitamin C, and Cancer}

^{*Prices as of 1/3/25}

‍

‍