1.

About paracetamol for children

Paracetamol is a common painkiller for

children. It's used to treat most kinds of
childhood ailments,
including headache, tummy
ache, earache, and cold symptoms. It
can also be used to reduce fever (38C
or above).

For older children, paracetamol is

available as tablets.

For young children, paracetamol

comes as a syrup.

Paracetamol is also available as

suppositories (a plug of medicine that's
inserted into the back passage).
Suppositories are useful to relieve pain
and fever in children who find it difficult
 to swallow tablets or syrup, or who are
vomiting a lot.

For children aged 16 and over, read

our information on paracetamol for
adults.
2. Key facts

 Your child should start to feel better

about 30 minutes after taking
paracetamol tablets or syrup. It may
take up to an hour for a suppository to
work properly.
 Paracetamol comes in a range of
different strengths, so always use the
measuring device that comes with the
medicine. The right dose for your child
depends on their age. Always leave 4
to 6 hours between doses. Don't give
more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
 Don't give your child paracetamol with
other medicines containing
paracetamol, such as Lemsip or Night
Nurse (only suitable for children over
12 years).
 Paracetamol is an everyday medicine,
but it can be dangerous if too much is
taken. Be careful to keep it out of the
reach of children.
 Paracetamol tablets may be called by
brand names such as Disprol, Hedex,
Medinol and Panadol. Calpol is one
brand of syrup.
3. Who can and can't take paracetamol

Children can take paracetamol as:

 a liquid syrup - from the age of 3
months (2 months if they have a fever
after a vaccination)
 suppository - from the age of 3 months
(2 months if they have a fever after a
vaccination)
 tablets - from the age of 6 years
 soluble tablets - from the age of 12
 calpol Fastmelts

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if

your child:
 is small for their age as a lower dose
may be better
 has had liver or kidney problems
 takes medicine for epilepsy
 takes medicine for tuberculosis (TB)
4. How and when to give it

Paracetamol tablets, syrup and

suppositories come in a range of
strengths. Children need to take a
lower dose than adults, depending on
their age.

If you're not sure how much to give,

ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Paracetamol tablets, syrup, and

suppositories are available on
prescription and to buy from shops and
pharmacies.
Paracetamol syrup dosages for children

Age
Type of syrup How much (every 4 to 6 hours,
maximum 4 doses in 24 hours)

3 to 6 months

Infant 2.5ml

6 to 24 months

Infant 5ml

2 to 4 years

Infant 7.5ml
4 to 6 years

Infant 10ml

6 to 8 years

Six-plus 5ml

8 to 10 years

Six-plus 7.5ml

10 to 12 years

Six-plus 10ml

Paracetamol syrup and suppositories

can be given to children from 2 months
if they have a fever after a vaccination
injection.

Children aged between 2 and 3

months can be given 2 doses
maximum if they have pain and fever
from other causes. If they still have a
fever after 2 doses, contact a doctor or
pharmacist before giving any more.
Paracetamol tablet dosages for children
 Age
How much (every 4 to 6 hours,
maximum 4 doses in 24 hours)

6 to 8 years

250mg

8 to 10 years

375mg

10 to 12 years

500mg

12 to 16 years

750mg

The strength of the syrups are:

 infant syrup - 5ml is equal to 120mg
 six-plus - 5ml is equal to 250mg
How often to give paracetamol

If your child needs help with pain day

and night for several days, give a dose
of paracetamol every 6 hours. Don't
give more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
This will help to relieve the pain safely
without the risk of giving too much
paracetamol.

If your child has pain that comes and

goes, give a dose of paracetamol
when they first complain of pain. Wait
at least 4 hours before giving another
dose.

Wait at least 4 hours between doses of

paracetamol. Don't give your child
more than 4 doses of paracetamol in
24 hours.
How to give paracetamol to a child

Tablets

Tablets should be swallowed whole

with a glass of water, milk, or juice.
Tell your child not to chew the tablet.
Calpol Fastmelts shouldn't be
swallowed - ask your child to let them
dissolve on their tongue.
Syrup

Shake the bottle well for at least 10

seconds and measure out the right
amount using the plastic syringe or
spoon that comes with the medicine. If
you don't have a syringe or spoon, ask
your pharmacist for one. Don't use a
kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the
right amount.

To hide the taste of liquid medicine,

you can give the child a drink of milk or
fruit juice straight after giving the
medicine.
Suppositories
Paracetamol suppositories are small
plugs of medicine that are inserted into
the bottom. Follow the instructions on
the leaflet inside the packet.
What if they take too much?

Giving your child too much

paracetamol by accident can be
dangerous. The effects of an overdose
may not be obvious, but they can be
serious and need treatment.

If you think you may have given your

child an extra dose of paracetamol by
mistake, wait at least 24 hours before
giving them any more.
Giving more than 1 extra dose of
paracetamol can be dangerous and
may need treatment. Call 111 for
advice straight away.
If you need to take your child to
hospital, take the paracetamol packet
or leaflet inside it plus any remaining
medicine with them.
5. Giving paracetamol with other painkillers

The only safe painkiller to give children

alongside paracetamol is ibuprofen.

Do not give paracetamol and ibuprofen

together, though. Instead, if you've
given them paracetamol and they're
still feverish or in pain when the next
dose is due, you could try ibuprofen
instead.

Don't take more than the maximum

daily dose of either medicine. See your
doctor if you've tried both paracetamol
and ibuprofen and they haven't helped.
Do not give ibuprofen to your child if
they have asthma, unless your doctor
has said it's ok.

Don't give your child another medicine

with paracetamol in it. If they take 2
different medicines that contain
paracetamol, there's a risk of
overdose. Paracetamol is an
ingredient in lots of medicines that you
can buy from the supermarket or
pharmacy, such as Lemsip, Day and
Night Nurse capsules or liquid (only
suitable for children over 12 years).

Never give aspirin to a child under the

age of 16 (unless prescribed by a
doctor).
6. Side effects

Paracetamol rarely causes side effects

if you give it in the right doses.
 If you're worried about a side effect or
notice anything unusual, talk to your
pharmacist or doctor.
Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a

serious allergic reaction to
paracetamol.
A serious allergic reaction is an
emergency. Contact a doctor straight
away if you think you or someone
around you is having a serious allergic
reaction.
The warning signs of a serious allergic
reaction are:
 getting a skin rash that may include
itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling
skin
 wheezing
 tightness in the chest or throat
 having trouble breathing or talking
 swelling of the mouth, face, lips,
tongue, or throat
You can report any suspected side
effect to the UK