Paracetamol Dosing for 2-Year-Old Child (9.5 kg)
For a 2-year-old child weighing 9.5 kg, the recommended paracetamol dose is 5 mL (160 mg) every 4 hours, not to exceed 5 doses in 24 hours. 1
Weight-Based Dosing Category
- This child falls into the "2 to under 4 years of age" category according to FDA labeling, which specifies 5 mL (160 mg) every 4 hours 1
- At 9.5 kg, this child is in the lowest weight range for pediatric dosing, requiring careful adherence to labeled doses to prevent overdosage while maintaining therapeutic efficacy 2
- The standard weight-based calculation for paracetamol is 10-15 mg/kg per dose, which would yield 95-142.5 mg per dose for this child, aligning well with the FDA-recommended 160 mg dose 1
Administration Guidelines
- Maximum daily dose: 800 mg (5 doses of 160 mg each) in 24 hours 1
- Administer every 4 hours as needed for fever or pain 1
- The medication can be given with or without meals, though administration with food may improve gastrointestinal tolerability 2
- Use the appropriate measuring device (oral syringe or dosing cup) to ensure accurate 5 mL measurement 1
Safety Considerations
- Never exceed 5 doses in 24 hours to avoid hepatotoxicity risk 1
- Children under 2 years are pharmacologically immature and require strict adherence to weight-based dosing 3
- Paracetamol should be used at the lowest effective dosage and for the shortest time necessary 4
- If fever or pain persists beyond 48-72 hours, reassess for alternative diagnoses rather than continuing prolonged paracetamol use 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not use adult formulations or dosing schedules for pediatric patients 3
- Avoid combining multiple paracetamol-containing products (e.g., cold medications that also contain paracetamol) as this increases overdose risk 5
- Do not calculate doses based solely on age without considering weight, as the FDA label provides age-based guidance that assumes typical weight ranges 1