The calculation for paracetamol dosing is 15 mg × 67 kg = 1005 mg, however, you round this down You prescribe paracetamolįor management at home. Example of calculating a paracetamol dose:Ī boy, aged 10 years, weighing 67 kg presents with myalgia of a suspected viral cause. a smaller child may inadvertently be givenĪ higher dose intended for their larger sibling.
Importance of not sharing a prescribed dose with another child should also be discussed, e.g. Measuring cups are suitable for doseĬaregivers should be advised that as children grow, the volume of paracetamol will need to be increased in order toĮnsure that dosing is adequate remind caregivers that they can also check the dose with their community pharmacist. Caregivers should be strongly encouraged to use a syringe to measure the dose. The paracetamol dose should be prescribed as accurately as possible, however, in practice increments of 0.5 mL are often
What is the appropriate dose of paracetamol for pain management in children? Prolonged dosing (up to 24 days in one case).1 Reasonsįor medicine errors with paracetamol included: 1 1 From 2002–2012, there wereġ4 cases of acute paediatric liver failure in New Zealand and Australian attributed to paracetamol use. Vulnerable to paracetamol toxicity, which can lead to liver failure and death. Children aged under five years who are acutely unwell are particularly However, paracetamol has a narrow therapeutic index and infantsĪnd children are at increased risk of overdose. Paracetamol can be prescribed to infants from birth.
Advise caregivers to record each dose of paracetamol they administer and to use a syringe to measure dose volumeĬhildren aged under five years are at greatest risk of paracetamol toxicity.Children who are malnourished are more susceptible to paracetamol toxicity.Paracetamol is dosed in milligrams per kilogram of body weight, rather than by age the dose should be calculated in children using actual body weight, without exceeding the adult dose.Errors in paracetamol dosing is the leading cause of paediatric acute liver failure in New Zealand.