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 |
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 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 daily paracetamol dose?
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.
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.