Paracetamol Dose Calculator
Paracetamol is used for relief of pain or fever.
The oral dose of paracetamol for children aged 1 month to 18 years is
- 15 mg/kg per dose (maximum 1 g) every four hours; maximum 75 mg/kg per day (without exceeding 4 g) for 48 hours, maximum of 60 mg/kg per day (without exceeding 4 g) thereafter.
For further information on paracetamol dosing, refer to the New Zealand Formulary for Children: http://www.nzfchildren.org.nz/nzf_2439
Safety Information
Paracetamol comes in two liquid strengths, 120mg in 5ml and 250 mg in 5ml. This dose calculator outputs both.
POISONING – Paracetamol is the most common single agent involved in poisonous ingestion in young children. IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR CHILD IS POISONED CALL 111 IMMEDIATELY.
For ages 1 month to 18 years only.
Not designed for obese children.
Checklist Before Giving Your Child Paracetamol
1. Check whether this is the strawberry flavoured lower strength paracetamol (120mg in 5ml) – if you have the higher strength orange paracetamol (250mg in 5ml) use the associated value from the calculator.
2. Weigh your child and enter it in above calculator.
3. Give the displayed dose in ml at 4-6 hourly intervals for pain or fever, MAXIMUM 4 DOSES IN 24 HOURS.
4. If you have given your child cold or cough remedies, these may contain paracetamol. PLEASE CHECK, and if so, count this as a dose as well.