Paed doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen

Question 1

Paracetamol: Neonate 28 weeks to 32 weeks corrected gestational age

Answer 1

20 mg/kg for 1 dose, then 10–15 mg/kg every 8–12 hours as required, maximum daily dose to be given in divided doses; maximum 30 mg/kg per day.

Question 2

Paracetamol: Neonate 32 weeks corrected gestational age and above

Answer 2

20 mg/kg for 1 dose, then 10–15 mg/kg every 6–8 hours as required, maximum daily dose to be given in divided doses; maximum 60 mg/kg per day.

Question 3

Paracetamol: Child 1–2 months

Answer 3

30–60 mg every 8 hours as required, maximum daily dose to be given in divided doses; maximum 60 mg/kg per day.

Question 4

Paracetamol: Child 3–5 months

Answer 4

60 mg every 4–6 hours; maximum 4 doses per day.

Question 5

Paracetamol: Child 6–23 months

Answer 5

120 mg every 4–6 hours; maximum 4 doses per day.

Question 6

Paracetamol: Child 2–3 years

Answer 6

180 mg every 4–6 hours; maximum 4 doses per day.

Question 7

Paracetamol: Child 4–5 years

Answer 7

240 mg every 4–6 hours; maximum 4 doses per day.

Question 8

Paracetamol: Child 6–7 years

Answer 8

240–250 mg every 4–6 hours; maximum 4 doses per day.

Question 9

Paracetamol: Child 8–9 years

Answer 9

360–375 mg every 4–6 hours; maximum 4 doses per day.

Question 10

Paracetamol: Child 10–11 years

Answer 10

480–500 mg every 4–6 hours; maximum 4 doses per day.

Question 11

Paracetamol: Child 12–15 years

Answer 11

480–750 mg every 4–6 hours; maximum 4 doses per day.

Question 12

Paracetamol: Child 16–17 years

Answer 12

0.5–1 g every 4–6 hours; maximum 4 doses per day.

Question 13

Ibuprofen: Child 1–2 months

Answer 13

5 mg/kg 3–4 times a day.

Question 14

Ibuprofen: Child 3–5 months

Answer 14

50 mg 3 times a day, maximum daily dose to be given in 3–4 divided doses; maximum 30 mg/kg per day.

Question 15

Ibuprofen: Child 6–11 months

Answer 15

50 mg 3–4 times a day, maximum daily dose to be given in 3–4 divided doses; maximum 30 mg/kg per day.

Question 16

Ibuprofen: Child 1–3 years

Answer 16

100 mg 3 times a day, maximum daily dose to be given in 3–4 divided doses; maximum 30 mg/kg per day.

Question 17

Ibuprofen: Child 4–6 years

Answer 17

150 mg 3 times a day, maximum daily dose to be given in 3–4 divided doses; maximum 30 mg/kg per day.

Question 18

Ibuprofen: Child 7–9 years

Answer 18

200 mg 3 times a day, maximum daily dose to be given in 3–4 divided doses; maximum 30 mg/kg per day; maximum 2.4 g per day.

Question 19

Ibuprofen: Child 10–11 years

Answer 19

300 mg 3 times a day, maximum daily dose to be given in 3–4 divided doses; maximum 30 mg/kg per day; maximum 2.4 g per day.

Question 20

Ibuprofen: Child 12–17 years

Answer 20

Initially 300–400 mg 3–4 times a day; increased if necessary up to 600 mg 4 times a day; maintenance 200–400 mg 3 times a day, may be adequate.