Recommended Dosage of Calpol (Paracetamol) for Managing Fever in Children
The recommended dosage of Calpol (paracetamol) for managing fever in children is 15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours, not exceeding 5 doses in a 24-hour period for children under 12 years of age. 1, 2
Age-Based Dosing Guidelines
Paracetamol (Calpol) should be dosed according to the child's age and weight:
- Children 12 years and older: 650 mg (20.3 mL) every 4-6 hours, not exceeding 6 doses in 24 hours 1
- Children 6 to under 12 years: 325 mg (10.15 mL) every 4 hours, not exceeding 5 doses in 24 hours 1
- Children 4 to under 6 years: 240 mg (7.5 mL) every 4 hours, not exceeding 5 doses in 24 hours 1
- Children 2 to under 4 years: 160 mg (5 mL) every 4 hours, not exceeding 5 doses in 24 hours 1
- Children under 2 years: Consult a doctor for appropriate dosing 1
Weight-Based Dosing
When possible, weight-based dosing is preferred for accuracy:
- The optimal dose is 15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours 2, 3
- Maximum daily dose should not exceed 60 mg/kg/day 3
Efficacy and Administration
- Paracetamol at 15 mg/kg has been shown to be significantly more effective than placebo for fever management 2
- For optimal efficacy, administer the correct dose promptly when fever is detected 2
- Regular administration every 4-6 hours during fever episodes is more effective than as-needed dosing 3
Safety Considerations
- Paracetamol has a tolerability profile similar to placebo when used for short-term fever management 2
- Avoid exceeding the maximum recommended daily dose to prevent hepatotoxicity 1
- When used at appropriate doses, paracetamol has fewer adverse effects than NSAIDs for consecutive days of treatment 2
Alternative Options
- If fever persists despite appropriate paracetamol dosing, ibuprofen may be considered as an alternative 4
- Recent evidence suggests that high-dose paracetamol (20 mg/kg) may have similar antipyretic effects to NSAIDs, but standard dosing (15 mg/kg) is recommended for routine use 5
Important Cautions
- Antipyretics alone do not prevent febrile seizure recurrence 6, 7
- Ensure accurate measurement of doses using the provided measuring device
- Store medication safely out of reach of children
- If fever persists beyond 3 days or is accompanied by severe symptoms, consult a healthcare provider
Remember that fever is typically a short-lived symptom, and paracetamol is used primarily for comfort rather than to prevent complications in most cases.