How the paracetamol dose is calculated
Paediatric antipyretic/analgesic dosing is weight-based, capped at the adult single-dose and daily maximums once a child's weight would otherwise exceed them.
Normal / reference dosing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Dose per administration | 15 mg/kg (max 1 g) |
| Dosing interval | Every 4–6 hours as needed |
| Maximum frequency | 4 doses / 24 hours |
| Maximum daily dose | 60 mg/kg/day, or 4 g/day (adult), whichever is lower |
Paracetamol/Pamol dosage chart (quick reference by weight)
Per-dose amount and volume for the two most common paediatric syrup strengths — this dosage chart mirrors the calculator above exactly; use the calculator for any weight not listed or a different concentration.
| Weight | Dose | 120 mg/5 mL syrup | 250 mg/5 mL syrup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kg | 60 mg | 2.5 mL | 1.2 mL |
| 6 kg | 90 mg | 3.8 mL | 1.8 mL |
| 8 kg | 120 mg | 5.0 mL | 2.4 mL |
| 10 kg | 150 mg | 6.3 mL | 3.0 mL |
| 12 kg | 180 mg | 7.5 mL | 3.6 mL |
| 15 kg | 225 mg | 9.4 mL | 4.5 mL |
| 20 kg | 300 mg | 12.5 mL | 6.0 mL |
| 25 kg | 375 mg | 15.6 mL | 7.5 mL |
| 30 kg | 450 mg | 18.8 mL | 9.0 mL |
| 40 kg | 600 mg | 25.0 mL | 12.0 mL |
| 50 kg | 750 mg | 31.3 mL | 15.0 mL |
Clinical use
This is standard weight-based antipyretic/analgesic dosing for fever and mild-moderate pain in children, and applies the adult ceiling once a child's weight-based dose would exceed it (relevant from roughly 33 kg upward for daily dose, or ~67 kg for a single dose). Paracetamol overdose causes delayed, potentially fatal hepatotoxicity — always confirm the concentration of the specific formulation being used (paediatric suspensions vary, e.g. 120 mg/5 mL vs 250 mg/5 mL) before calculating a volume, and check for other paracetamol-containing products the patient may already be taking.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pamol, Calpol, Dolo 650, or PCM?
All of these are simply brand names or common abbreviations for paracetamol, sold in different markets and strengths: Pamol and Calpol are paediatric oral suspensions (most often 120 mg/5 mL and 250 mg/5 mL), Dolo 650 is a widely used 650 mg adult tablet in India, and "PCM" is a common shorthand for paracetamol itself, usually on 500 mg tablets. They're all the same medicine, so the weight-based doses on this page apply equally regardless of which brand is being used.
What is the paracetamol/Pamol dose for babies?
The same weight-based 15 mg/kg per dose applies from around 3 months of age — always check the product label for the minimum age/weight it's licensed for, and get medical advice before giving paracetamol to a baby under 3 months, as neonatal dosing needs closer medical supervision.
What is the correct paracetamol dose for a child?
15 mg/kg per dose, up to a maximum single dose of 1000 mg, given every 4–6 hours as needed, not exceeding 4 doses in 24 hours.
What is the maximum paracetamol dosage per day?
60 mg/kg/day in children, capped at the adult maximum of 4000 mg/day (4 g) once a child's weight-based dose would otherwise exceed it — spread across a maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours, at least 4–6 hours apart.
Is paracetamol safe for children?
Yes, at correct weight-based doses it's one of the most widely used and studied paediatric antipyretics/analgesics — but overdose causes delayed, potentially serious liver injury, so accurate dosing and checking for other paracetamol-containing products the child may already be taking both matter.
What happens with a paracetamol overdose?
Paracetamol overdose can cause delayed hepatotoxicity that isn't obvious in the first several hours — any suspected overdose needs urgent medical assessment, even if the child appears well initially.
References
- BNF for Children (BNFC), current edition — Paracetamol monograph.
- World Health Organization Model Formulary.