Paracetamol & Ibuprofen dosing

These are doses from British National Formulary

PARACETAMOL

  • Neonate (Birth – 1 month) 20 mg/kg as a single dose then 10–15 mg/kg every 6–8 hours as necessary; max. 60 mg/kg daily in divided doses

Child 1–3 months 30–60 mg every 8 hours as necessary; max. 60 mg/kg daily in divided doses

Child 3–6 months 60 mg every 4–6 hours (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

Child 6 months–2 years 120 mg every 4–6 hours (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

Child 2–4 years 180 mg every 4–6 hours (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

Child 4–6 years 240 mg every 4–6 hours (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

Child 6–8 years 240–250 mg every 4–6 hours (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

Child 8–10 years 360–375 mg every 4–6 hours (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

Child 10–12 years 480–500 mg every 4–6 hours (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

Child 12–16 years 480–750 mg every 4–6 hours (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

Child 16–18 years 500 mg–1 g every 4–6 hours (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

  • By rectum

Neonate(Birth – 1 month) 30 mg/kg as a single dose then 15–20 mg/kg every 8 hours as necessary; max. 60 mg/kg daily in divided doses

Child 1–3 months 30–60 mg every 8 hours as necessary; max. 60 mg/kg daily in divided doses

Child 3–12 months 60–125 mg every 4–6 hours as necessary (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

Child 1–5 years 125–250 mg every 4–6 hours as necessary (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

Child 5–12 years 250–500 mg every 4–6 hours as necessary (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)

Child 12–18 years 500 mg every 4–6 hours

IBUPROFEN

By mouth

Child 1–3 months 5 mg/kg 3–4 times daily

Child 3–6 months 50 mg 3 times daily; max. 30 mg/kg daily in 3–4 divided doses

Child 6 months–1 year 50 mg 3–4 times daily; max. 30 mg/kg daily in 3–4 divided doses

Child 1–4 years 100 mg 3 times daily; max. 30 mg/kg daily in 3–4 divided doses

Child 4–7 years 150 mg 3 times daily; max. 30 mg/kg daily in 3–4 divided doses

Child 7–10 years 200 mg 3 times daily; max. 30 mg/kg (max. 2.4 g) daily in 3–4 divided doses

Child 10–12 years 300 mg 3 times daily; max. 30 mg/kg (max. 2.4 g) daily in 3–4 divided doses

Child 12–18 years initially 300–400 mg 3–4 times daily; increased if necessary to max. 600 mg 4 times daily; maintenance dose of 200–400 mg 3 times daily may be adequate