Child paracetamol dosages revised

[threefeethighandrising]

The important bits:

"Until now, children aged one to six could be given up to 10ml of paracetamol-based products such as Calpol up to four times a day.

"But the new ... guidance advises lower doses for all children under four."

"But the MHRA said the age band, where children aged one to six could be given the same dose, was too wide.

"Its updated guidance says: "Younger children may have received a dose of paracetamol that was higher than necessary."

REVISED DOSAGES

2-3 months - 2.5ml usually once, but a second dose permitted 4-6 hours later
3-6 months - 2.5ml - up to 4 times a day
6-24 months - 5ml - up to 4 times a day
2-4 years - 7.5ml - up to 4 times a day
4-6 years - 10ml up to 4 times a day
(Infant paracetamol suspension 120mg/5ml)

"The change is to ensure children get the optimal dose of paracetamol suitable for their age. It is not because of safety concerns."

"The revised guidance says older babies can now be given a higher dose. Previously babies aged three months to one year could only receive 2.5ml four times a day. Those aged six to 24 months can now have up to 5ml at each dose."

Story here

makes sense

It does make sense. I've always thought that age 1 - 6 is quite a wide margin.

I agree, totally makes sense and probably how most of us have been doing it for ages but much better to have the age bands narrowed.

Surely dosing according to a childs weight would be far more effective?

probably, but some people don't specifically know their child's weight right off, whereas they know their age. So it's at least more likely to be close in that range unless they are quite thin or quite large for their age.

I agree Triggles.

Just a thought though, as despite there being 2.5 yeard between our 2 ds's there's only 1 kg difference in their weight so one of them's getting a bit shortchanged when they're ill!

its not just the size of the child that has to be taken into account. Children are not just small adults, they have different metabolisms etc.

But when ds's have been in hospital they calculate their doses based upon the weight of the child - obviously the medication has to be at the correct strength (120mg/5ml for infant paracetamol), but this allowed ds2 to have significantly more than was allowed by the dosing instructions on the bottle and this meant that his symptoms were eased far more effectively.

My child paracetamol bottle calculates the dose by weight. It has a syringe with weight gradations and you use as much as is appropriate for the baby's weight.

with age bands that tight they may as well give up and move to a more accurate weight based system or at least run it alongside the age guidelines.

What brand is that Booboostoo? Are you in the UK?