Paracetamol Baby Dose

Paracetamol Dose by Baby Weight (mL)

With pediatric paracetamol (acetaminophen), what matters is weight, not age. The standard interval is 10–15 mg/kg/dose, every 6 hours, maximum 4 doses per 24 h. For Brazilian baby drops (Tylenol or Calmidor 200 mg/mL = 10 mg/drop), the volume in mL comes out to mL = (peso_kg × 12.5 mg) / 200 mg/mL, where 12.5 mg/kg sits safely in the middle of the range.

ANVISA RDC 138/2003 and the Brazilian Pediatric Society (SBP) set the ceilings: stay under 75 mg/kg in 24 hours, and never reach 150 mg/kg/day, which is the level tied to acute hepatotoxicity. Use the dropper or oral syringe that comes in the box. Kitchen teaspoons hold anywhere from 3 to 7 mL and have caused fatal overdoses. Leave at least 6 hours between doses, and check the fever or pain again each time before you dose.

Applications

Parents, pediatricians, ER nurses and pharmacists use it to work out safe fever and pain doses for infants from 3 months on. It earns its keep during fever episodes, the discomfort after a vaccine, teething, and recovery from a procedure. Pair it with the non-drug measures too: keep the baby hydrated, dress them lightly, keep the room cool.

FAQ

Can I give paracetamol to a baby under 3 months? Only if a pediatrician has explicitly prescribed it. Fever in a baby younger than 3 months is an emergency, and the child needs to be seen by a doctor before any antipyretic.

What if I miss a dose or vomits right after? If the baby throws up within 30 minutes, you can repeat the dose. After 30 minutes, treat it as taken and wait the full 6 hours. Do not try to “catch up” with a double dose.

Drops, suspension or suppository, same dose? The mg/kg is the same, but the concentrations are not. Drops are 200 mg/mL, while oral suspension is usually 32 mg/mL or 100 mg/mL, so recompute the volume every time you switch and confirm it with a pediatrician or pharmacist. Never assume.