Paracetamol Dose Calculator

Many parents are quite terrified when their little one falls sick. Fever is one of the main symptoms that most caretakers worried of as it might cause some other unnecessary conditions like polio, meningitis etc.

Paracetamol is commonly used for relief of pain. It does not cause drowsiness. It can be used for children and babies over 3 months old. Younger babies must see the doctor.

Quick dosing guide (The dose calculated here is for the lower strength liquid paracetamol junior preparation.)

Your child's weight	120mg per 5mL	250mg per 5mL
5kg or less	Ask doctor	Ask doctor
6.5kg	4mL	2mL
8kg	5mL	2.5mL
10kg	6mL	3mL
15kg	9mL	4.5mL
20kg	12mL	6mL
30kg	18mL	9mL
40kg	25mL	12mL

 

What is the cause and meaning of Fever?

• Fever is not an illness but evidence that body is fighting the infection.
• Fever does not mean the child has serious bacterial illness.
• Most fevers are self-limiting (provided cause known and fluid replaced)

When to treat fever?

• Routine treatment of fever is not necessary.
• Treat with paracetamol independent of temperature recording -
• If the child is uncomfortable (decreased activity level, decreased fluid intake)
• If the child is miserable (+/-fever)
• Do not treat with paracetamol -
• Happy child (+/-fever)
• Preventing fever after immunisation (reduced immune response to the vaccine)

Paracetamol (Panadol) vs Ibuprofen (Nurofen)?

Nurofen Syrup suitable for infant above 3mo

Lower strength liquid paracetamol junior preparation

• Paracetamol has analgesic (pain relief) and antipyretic (reduces fever) but no anti-inflammatory activity; it is less irritant to the stomach than Ibuprofen.
• Ibuprofen (Nurofen) has anti-inflammatory effects. It is more effective than paracetamol in pain reduction in diseases where inflammation is a major cause of tissue injury, such as juvenile rheumatic arthritis.
• There is a relatively small difference in analgesic and antipyretic efficacy or adverse effects between paracetamol and intermittent oral dosing of ibuprofen.
• For children without underlying medical conditions, or with underlying medical conditions that are not inflammatory in nature, beginning treatment with oral paracetamol is preferred because of its long track record of safety.

Counselling to parents:

1. DO NOT USE BOTH PARACETAMOL AND IBUPROFEN COMBINATION/ALTERNATING REGIMES AT THE SAME TIME.
2. Give the displayed dose in ml at 4-6 hourly intervals for pain or fever, MAXIMUM 4 DOSES IN 24 HOURS.
3. Have you given your child cold remedies? - it may contain paracetamol - please check and if so count that as a dose as well.
4. Use a syringe for accurate dosing.
5. Use paracetamol if the child appears distressed or unwell.
6. Use ibuprofen (Nurofen) if there is no response to paracetamol.
7. Regardless of which analgesic/antipyretic, use only if necessary for the shortest period of time to control symptoms.