OTC Analgesics Dosing Regimens

Question 1

What is the dose for aspirin for adults (and children over 16), and how should it be taken?

Answer 1

• 300 to 900mg every 4 to 6 hours (300mg tablets; take up to 3 every 4 to 6 hours as required)
• Max 4g daily (13.3 300mg tablets; 13)
• Take with or just after food

Question 2

What is the dose for aspirin for Children under 16 years?

Answer 2

• Aspirin is not given; risk of Reye’s Syndrome (unless in Kawasaki syndrome or thromboprophylaxis)
• Aspirin is known on some medicine labels as acetylsalicylate, salicylate, acetylsalicylic acid, ASA, or salicylic acid.

Question 3

What is the OTC dose for ibuprofen in adults and children over 12 years?

Answer 3

• 400mg TDS (three times daily)
• Max dose 1.2g daily
• 200mg tablets; do not take more than 6 in 24 hours, take one or two every 4 hours PRN
  (minimum effective dose should be used for the shortest time necessary to relieve symptoms)
• 400mg tablets; do not take more than 3 tablets in 24 hours
• (Adult) If required for more than 10 days/symptoms worsen; contact doctor
• Take with or just after food

Question 4

What is the prescription dose for ibuprofen in adults and children over 12 years?

Answer 4

• 300-400mg TDS (every 4 - 6 hours PRN)
• Max dose = 2.4g if necessary (but in RCTs, doses of ibuprofen tablets greater than 400 mg were no more effective than 400 mg dose)
• Take with or just after food

Question 5

What is the OTC supply ibuprofen dose for children of 3-6 months, >5kg?

Answer 5

• 50mg TDS (every 6 to 8 hours; but leave at least 4 PRN)

- Do not use for more than 24 hours

Question 6

What are the dosing instructions for OTC ibuprofen supply in children 6-13 months old?

Answer 6

• 50mg TDS/QDS in 24 hours

- Do not give for more than 3 days

Question 7

Dosing instructions for OTC ibuprofen in children 1 to 4 years?

Answer 7

• 100mg TDS in 24 hours

- Do not give for more than 3 days

Question 8

Dosing instructions for children 4 to 7 years for OTC ibuprofen?

Answer 8

• 150mg TDS in 24 hours

- Do not give for more than 3 days

Question 9

Dosing instructions for children over 7 years for OTC ibuprofen supply?

Answer 9

• 200mg TDS a day in 24 hours

- Do not give for more than 3 days

Question 10

Dosing instructions for Naproxen 250mg tablets?

Answer 10

• Take 2 tablets if needed then a further tablet after 4 - 6 hours
• No more than 3 tablets in 24 hours
• Licensed for women between 15 - 50 years, for short term treatment of period pain/menstrual cramps

Question 11

What are the dosing instructions for paracetamol?

Answer 11

• One or two tablets (500mg tabs) every 4 - 6 hours PRN
• Max dose of 8 tablets (4000mg) in any 24 hour period
• No more than 4 doses in 24 hours for children

Question 12

What are the dosing instructions for codeine-containing analgesics?

Answer 12

• Can cause addiction; for 3 days use only

- Cause cause addiction OR overuse headache if used continuously for more than 3 days