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At what age can I give a child paracetamol?
A child can be administered Paracetamol if –
- The child is over 2 months old,
- Weighs over 4 kg’s (8.8 lbs),
- Wasn’t born before 37 weeks of pregnancy,
This can be administered if – They have a fever, are in pain, or have a temperature.
The youngest a child can be administered Paracetamol Infant Suspension (120mg/5ml) is at 2-3 months. The dosage for a child of this age is usually only ONE 2.5ml quantity, followed by another, 4-6 hours later if required.
It should never be administered to a baby under 2 months old, nor should a child aged between 2-3 months ever be given more than 2 doses.
We would always recommend Paracetamol first, rather than Ibuprofen, as it is very effective.
Recommended doses for older children.
Infant paracetamol suspension (120 mg/5ml)
| Age | Dose | How often (in 24 hours) |
| 3 - 6 months | 2.5 ml | Four times |
| 6 - 24 months | 5 ml | Four times |
| 2 - 4 years | 7.5 ml | Four times |
| 4 - 6 years | 10 ml | Four times |
Paracetamol six plus suspension (240/250 mg/5ml)
| Age | Dose | How often (in 24 hours) |
| 6 - 8 years | 5 ml | Four times |
| 8 - 10 years | 7.5 ml | Four times |
| 10 - 12 years | 10 ml | Four times |
Remember, never give more than 4 doses in a 24 hour period, and ensure that 4 hours is left between each dose. You should not admininster Paracetamol Suspension to a child for more than 3 days without speaking your Pharmacist or Doctor.
