How Much Paracetamol Should I Give My Child?
Paracetamol dose for children is 15 mg/kg per dose, every 4–6 hours, up to 4 doses in 24 hours. Enter your child's weight to see the dose for Panadol syrup (120 mg/5 ml or 250 mg/5 ml).
New to paracetamol? See what it is, how it works, and how to store it.
Before giving your child paracetamol
- Give it for comfort, not just because of the number. Most children only need it once they're uncomfortable or the fever is 38.5°C or above.
- Wait at least 4 hours since the last paracetamol dose.
- Do not give more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
- Check the expiry date on the bottle.
- Use the syringe or measuring cup that came with the product, not a kitchen teaspoon.
Choose your child’s age and enter their weight to see the dose for this bottle.
Reference only. Dose at 15 mg/kg (paracetamol) or 10 mg/kg (ibuprofen), rounded to the nearest 0.1 ml. Check the bottle concentration and confirm with your pharmacist before measuring. Calculations run on your device.
Bottle concentrations vary, and the difference matters. A 5 ml dose of Panadol 250 mg/5 ml carries more than twice the paracetamol of a 5 ml dose of the 120 mg/5 ml children's syrup. The calculator above covers the two common syrup strengths, 120 mg/5 ml and 250 mg/5 ml. Confirm the concentration printed on your bottle before measuring. For drops or any other strength, do not use the calculator. Check the dosing table on the label or ask your pharmacist.
Reference dose by weight
Doses at 15 mg/kg, rounded to the nearest 0.1 ml. For children under 5 kg, see a doctor before giving any fever medicine.
| Weight | 120 mg/5 ml | 250 mg/5 ml |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 3.1 ml | 1.5 ml |
| 6 kg | 3.8 ml | 1.8 ml |
| 8 kg | 5.0 ml | 2.4 ml |
| 10 kg | 6.3 ml | 3.0 ml |
| 12 kg | 7.5 ml | 3.6 ml |
| 15 kg | 9.4 ml | 4.5 ml |
| 18 kg | 11.3 ml | 5.4 ml |
| 20 kg | 12.5 ml | 6.0 ml |
| 25 kg | 15.6 ml | 7.5 ml |
120 mg/5 ml: Panadol Children's Syrup. 250 mg/5 ml: Panadol 6+, Cafmol 6+. Labelled for age 6 and over. For a younger child, use the 120 mg/5 ml syrup or check with your pharmacist. Maximum single dose: 1000 mg.
If you give too much
Paracetamol overdose can damage the liver, and symptoms can be delayed by hours or days. Do not wait for symptoms before seeking advice.
If your child has had too much paracetamol
- !Your child is vomiting, has tummy pain, or the whites of their eyes or skin look yellow (jaundice)
- !You are unsure how much was taken
- !Your child has had 2 or more extra doses in 24 hours
- !The daily limit of 4 doses has been exceeded
- !A combination product (cold and flu syrup, cough medicine) was given on top of paracetamol. Many of these also contain paracetamol.
- !If you cannot reach your GP or polyclinic now, go to the nearest 24-hour A&E.
→ What overdose symptoms look like and what to do while waiting for help
When NOT to give paracetamol
- Babies under 3 months or under 5 kg: see a doctor before giving anything
- Children with liver disease or hepatic impairment
- Known allergy to paracetamol or any ingredient in the product
If you are unsure about another condition, ask your pharmacist before giving any medicine.
If you need to alternate paracetamol with ibuprofen during a high fever, track each one separately. Never give both at the same moment. Give the other medicine only if your child is still uncomfortable or 38.5°C or above about an hour after the first. Each medicine keeps its own clock and daily maximum.
Use paracetamol, not ibuprofen, if dengue is possible, your child is vomiting or not drinking well, is under 3 months, or has had diclofenac. When not to use ibuprofen
→ How to alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen safely
When to get help now
Call 995 now if your child has a fever and any of these:
- !A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes (give rectal diazepam if a doctor has prescribed it, and still call)
- !Struggling to breathe (skin pulling in under the ribs, nostrils flaring, or grunting), pauses in breathing, or lips turning blue or grey
- !Cannot be woken, or floppy and not responding to you
- !A rash of small red or purple spots that does not fade when you press a glass on it
- !Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, with any difficulty breathing
- !Cold, clammy, or mottled skin, with drowsiness or restlessness
Go to the nearest 24-hour A&E or children's emergency now if:
- !A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38.0°C or above
- !A first febrile seizure, even if it has stopped
- !After a seizure: confused, still drowsy after 30 minutes, or more than one seizure in a day
- !A stiff neck, or crying in pain when bending the head forward
- !Unusually drowsy or hard to wake, but can be woken
- !Dengue warning signs as the fever comes down: tummy pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding gums or nose, or very tired
- !No urine or wet nappy for 12 hours or more
- !No tears when crying, sunken eyes, or a very dry mouth
- !Cannot keep any fluids down
- !Green vomit
- !A temperature above 40°C that is not coming down, and your child seems unwell
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate paracetamol dose for my child by weight?+
The standard dose is 15 mg/kg per dose (the top of the safe 10–15 mg/kg range and the dose most likely to bring down a fever). A 15 kg child needs 225 mg per dose. Panadol Children's Syrup is 120 mg/5 ml (9.4 ml for a 15 kg child), Panadol 6+ is 250 mg/5 ml (4.5 ml). Check the label before measuring.
How often can I give paracetamol to a child?+
Give paracetamol every 4–6 hours, up to 4 doses in 24 hours. Wait at least 4 hours between doses. See a doctor if the fever does not improve after 2–3 doses.
What concentration is Panadol syrup in Singapore?+
Panadol Children's Syrup is 120 mg of paracetamol per 5 ml. Panadol 6+ (for ages 6 and up) is 250 mg per 5 ml. Check the label and use the syringe that came with the bottle.
Can I give paracetamol and ibuprofen together?+
Never give both at the same moment. Give the other medicine only if your child is still uncomfortable or 38.5°C or above about an hour after the first. Each medicine keeps its own clock and daily maximum. See our ibuprofen dosage guide for ibuprofen timing and doses. Use paracetamol, not ibuprofen, if dengue is possible, your child is vomiting or not drinking well, is under 3 months, or has had diclofenac.
Can I give paracetamol to a baby under 3 months?+
Take any baby under 3 months with a fever to see a doctor before giving medicine. Standard dosing does not apply at this age.