Calpol (Paracetamol) Dosing for an 11 kg Child
2.5 to 3 ml of Calpol is inadequate for an 11 kg child—the correct dose should be 5.5 ml (assuming standard 120 mg/5 ml concentration), which provides 132 mg or 12 mg/kg. 1
Standard Dosing Requirements
The recommended dose of paracetamol (acetaminophen) is 10-15 mg/kg per dose, given every 4-6 hours, with a maximum of 60 mg/kg per day. 1 For an 11 kg child, this translates to:
- Minimum effective dose: 110 mg (10 mg/kg)
- Optimal dose: 165 mg (15 mg/kg) 1, 2
- Maximum single dose: 165 mg
- Maximum daily dose: 660 mg (60 mg/kg/day) 1
Volume Calculation for Standard Calpol
Assuming standard Calpol oral suspension contains 120 mg per 5 ml (the most common pediatric formulation) 3:
- 2.5 ml provides only 60 mg (5.5 mg/kg) - significantly subtherapeutic
- 3 ml provides only 72 mg (6.5 mg/kg) - still inadequate
- Correct volume: 5.5 ml provides 132 mg (12 mg/kg) - within therapeutic range 1
- Optimal volume: 7 ml provides 168 mg (15 mg/kg) - preferred for maximum efficacy 2
Clinical Evidence for 15 mg/kg Dosing
Recent evidence demonstrates that paracetamol at 15 mg/kg is significantly more effective than placebo and at least as effective as NSAIDs for fever and pain management, while doses ≤10 mg/kg show inferior efficacy. 2 The 15 mg/kg dose has a tolerability profile similar to placebo when used for short-term treatment. 2
Critical Dosing Pitfall
Many dosing schedules recommend inadequate amounts of paracetamol, leading to suboptimal pain and fever control. 4 The dose you mentioned (2.5-3 ml) represents only 36-44% of the recommended therapeutic dose, which explains why it would be clinically ineffective. 4, 2
Practical Dosing Algorithm for 11 kg Child
- Give 5.5-7 ml every 4-6 hours (targeting 12-15 mg/kg) 1
- Do not exceed 5 doses in 24 hours 1, 3
- Maximum daily volume: 27.5 ml (660 mg total) 1
- Oral syrup is preferred over rectal suppositories due to more rapid and consistent absorption 1
Safety Monitoring
Never exceed 60 mg/kg per day or 5 doses in 24 hours to prevent hepatotoxicity. 1 Single ingestions exceeding 140 mg/kg/day for several consecutive days carry risk of serious liver toxicity. 5 For an 11 kg child, this toxic threshold would be 1,540 mg/day—well above the recommended maximum of 660 mg/day. 5