Paracetamol Syrup Dosing for an 11kg Pediatric Patient
For an 11kg child, administer 110-165 mg of paracetamol (acetaminophen) per dose, given every 4-6 hours, not exceeding 5 doses in 24 hours or a maximum daily dose of 660 mg. 1
Weight-Based Dosing Calculation
- The standard dose of acetaminophen is 10-15 mg/kg per dose, given every 4-6 hours 1
- For an 11kg child:
- Minimum dose: 110 mg (10 mg/kg × 11 kg)
- Maximum dose: 165 mg (15 mg/kg × 11 kg)
- The maximum daily dose should never exceed 60 mg/kg per day (660 mg for an 11kg child) or 5 doses in 24 hours 1
Practical Syrup Administration
- Oral syrup formulation is absorbed more rapidly and provides a more consistent response compared to suppositories 1
- Most pediatric paracetamol syrups are available in concentrations of 160 mg/5 mL (32 mg/mL) 2
- For a standard 160 mg/5 mL concentration:
- 3.4-5.2 mL per dose delivers 110-165 mg
- Practical dosing: 3.5-5 mL every 4-6 hours 2
Dosing Interval and Frequency
- Administer every 4-6 hours as needed for fever or pain 1
- Do not exceed 5 doses in a 24-hour period 1, 2
- Maintain at least 4 hours between doses 1
Important Safety Considerations
- Never exceed 60 mg/kg per day to prevent hepatotoxicity 1
- Single ingestions of more than ten times the recommended dose (>150 mg/kg) are potentially toxic 3
- Chronic overdosing (>140 mg/kg/day for several days) carries risk of serious liver toxicity 3
- For children under 2 years of age, FDA labeling recommends consulting a doctor, though clinical guidelines support weight-based dosing 2