Using 6+ Calpol on a small 5yo

[WhyNotMe40]

We've run out of the standard Calpol and only have the 6+ left. Typically we only need it now on a Sunday after shops have shut etc.
Anyway I reckon I could give the 5yo a 2.5ml dose of the 6+ - could anyone help me work out dosage? I could weigh her if necessary but I think she's about 16kg

5ml contains 250mg of paracetamol in the 6+

She's 17kg

Calpol 6+ just has twice the dose of normal Calpol. 2.5ml dose of 6+ will be the same a 5 ml baby Calpol.

Just checked the doses on the website.
Age 4-6 can have 10ml baby Calpol 4x/day.

I have a similar sized 5yo. We only have 6+ in, and I give him 4ml of that

I've normally given her 7.5ml of baby Calpol so actually a 2.5ml of 6+ should be fine?

6+ is usually double the paracetamol per ml compared to standard (250mg vs 120mg per 5ml) so the volume required is half.

If the dose for standard is 10ml, that's 240mg (2 lots of 5ml, each containing 120mg, therefore 2 x 120). You can get 250mg from just 5ml of 6+.

Yes, half the amount of 6+ than you would give of infant calpol.

Hope she is feeling better soon.

Calpol 6+ has 250mg/5ml - 5ml for age 6
Infant calpol has 120mg/5ml - 10ml for age 4-6

2.5 ml should be fine of 6+ but shake the bottle well first

They actually use 6+ Calpol in hospital for infants as they're required to swallow half the volume (compared to standard) to get the right dosage.

"I've normally given her 7.5ml of baby Calpol so actually a 2.5ml of 6+ should be fine?"

Calpol 6+ is just twice the strength of baby Calpol.

Just halve the dose you'd normally give, that's all. (3.75ml in this case)

Thanks everyone. I've given her a 2.5ml spoon on 6+ (just had sachets so didn't worry about shaking the bottle)

Why don't you normally give the full dose?

Fil is a pharmacist and he measured it out for us once by weight. My 18kg 5 yo was well able to have a 250ml dose and he is very cautious about these sorts of things. We frequently give half a paracetamol now although if she might require more that one dose I try not to

I don't often give it to her tbh and last time I have it to her she was a very skinny only just 5yo! She's obviously grown and put weight on in the last few months :)