Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) Dosing for a 23kg Male Child
The recommended dose of paracetamol (acetaminophen) for a 23kg male child is 345mg (15mg/kg) every 4-6 hours, not exceeding 5 doses (1725mg) in a 24-hour period. 1
Weight-Based Dosing Calculation
- The optimal pediatric dose of paracetamol ranges between 10-15mg/kg per dose 1, 2
- For a 23kg child, this translates to:
Age-Based Considerations
- For children between 6-12 years (which likely includes a 23kg male), the standard dose is 325mg every 4 hours, not exceeding 5 doses in a 24-hour period 4
- However, weight-based dosing is more precise and should be prioritized over age-based dosing for accuracy 2
Safety Considerations
- Single ingestions exceeding ten times the recommended dose (>150mg/kg) are potentially hepatotoxic 1
- Chronic exposures exceeding 140mg/kg/day for several days carry risk of serious hepatotoxicity 1
- The BNF-C (British National Formulary for Children) has reduced the maximum daily dosage recommendation from 90mg/kg/day to 75mg/kg/day for post-operative pain 3
Administration Options
- Paracetamol can be administered via oral, rectal, or intravenous routes 2
- Oral administration is preferred for routine use due to more predictable absorption 2
- Effervescent tablets provide more rapid absorption and onset of action compared to conventional tablets, but this formulation is typically used in adults 2
Clinical Pearls
- There is no direct correlation between serum concentrations of paracetamol and its analgesic or antipyretic effect 2
- When using multiple paracetamol-containing products, carefully check all labels to avoid exceeding the maximum daily dose 5
- Be particularly cautious with combination products (cold medicines, pain relievers) that may contain paracetamol to prevent unintentional overdose 5