Love our website? We do too. Did you know we're a charity? Donate now to help us keep it free for everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Paracetamol for children

Sounds like 'paa-ra-SEE-ta-mol'

Key points about paracetamol for children

Only give paracetamol if your child needs it for pain relief. Babies younger than 3 months old must see the doctor if they are unwell.
It's important to give your child the correct dose of paracetamol. Use the Healthify paracetamol dose calculator to be sure. Giving them too much or giving it to them too often can damage their liver.
Find out how to take it safely and the possible side effects.

Print this page

Paracetamol is a medicine that, at the correct dose, can be safely given to babies and children to treat pain, including headache, toothache and sore throat. Paracetamol is also used to treat fever but fever doesn't need to be treated unless it's causing discomfort. Read more below, does my child need paracetamol for fever?

Note: the information on this page is about paracetamol for children. For information about use for adults, see paracetamol for adults.

Paracetamol is also called Panadol®, Pamol®, Junior Parapaed®, Ethics Paracetamol® and Avallon Paracetamol®.

Paracetamol should start to work within 30 to 60 minutes of taking it. Use paracetamol only if necessary to reduce fever or pain. If it’s not working, or if you need to use it for more than 2 days, your child needs to see a healthcare provider.

Use the Healthify paracetamol dose calculator

Weigh your child and use our calculator to calculate their correct dose. Click on the image below.

You can use paracetamol for children and babies over 3 months of age; babies younger than 3 months must see the doctor first. Only give paracetamol if they need it.

Paracetamol may be used if your child needs pain relief or if your child has a fever (temperature over 38°C) AND is miserable.
Fever is a normal response to infection and isn't harmful, so you don't need to give paracetamol for fever alone.
If your child is miserable because of the fever, you can give them paracetamol to make them more comfortable.
Paracetamol may reduce the effectiveness of childhood vaccinations. You don't need to give babies and children paracetamol before or after vaccination, unless your doctor or nurse has suggested you do so.
Read more about fever in children.

The video below has tips and advice on how to give paracetamol safely to children.

Video: Safe use of paracetamol for children

Note: In the video it says not to give paracetamol to your tamariki before or after vaccination. The exception to this is if your child is being given the Bexsero vaccine. Read more about giving children under 2 years old paracetamol before and after the Bexsero vaccine to reduce the risk of high fever.

(Health Navigator Charitable Trust, NZ, 2018)

Paracetamol liquid comes in different strengths

120 mg in 5 mL (lower strength)
250 mg in 5 mL (higher strength).

Always check that the dose you're giving your child is correct. To check the strength of the liquid, always read the label and do NOT rely on the colour, smell, or flavour. If you don't know how much to give, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

For example, the Pamol brand of paracetamol you can buy over the counter at your pharmacy is available in different flavours but all the boxes in the image below contain 250 mg of paracetamol in 5 mL.

The dose of paracetamol is based on your child’s weight and not their age

Always give the dose that's written on the bottle or package according to your child's weight. If you're not sure about how much to give your child, ask your pharmacist. Use the dosing chart at the bottom of this section as a guide.
As your child grows and gets heavier, the dose of paracetamol will need to be increased to make sure they're getting the correct amount. Don't use the same dose for a different child unless they're the same weight.

Weigh your child and use the Healthify paracetamol dose calculator to calculate their correct dose. Click on the image below.

Wait at least 4 hours before giving the next dose

Don't give paracetamol more than 4 times in 24 hours and only give paracetamol if your child needs it for pain relief.

Measure the dose correctly

Measure the right dose of paracetamol using a medicine syringe or medicine spoon. You can get these from your pharmacy. Don't use a kitchen spoon as it won't give you the right amount. Read more tips on how to give medicines to babies and children.

Paracetamol dosing chart

If you're not sure how much paracetamol liquid to give your child, ask your doctor or pharmacist, or use the following as a guide:

Paracetamol dosing chart
Wait at least 4 hours between doses. Don't give more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
Child's weight	120 mg/5 mL	250 mg/5 mL
Less than 5 kg	Ask your doctor or pharmacist	Ask your doctor or pharmacist
5 kg	3 mL	1.5 mL
6 to 7 kg	3.5 mL	1.5 mL
8 to 9 kg	5 mL	2 mL
10 to 12 kg	6 mL	3 mL
13 to 14 kg	8 mL	4 mL
15 to 16 kg	9.5 mL	4.5 mL
17 to 18 kg	10.5 mL	5 mL
19 to 20 kg	12 mL	5.5 mL
21 to 22 kg	13 mL	6.5 mL
23 to 25 kg	14. 5 mL	7 mL
26 to 28 kg	16.5 mL	8 mL
29 to 32 kg	18 mL	8.5 mL
33 to 36 kg	20.5 mL	10 mL
37 to 41 kg	23 mL	11 mL
42 to 60 kg	26 mL	12.5 mL
More than 60 kg	30 to 40 mL	15 to 20 mL

Paracetamol tablets and capsules come as 500 mg.
Check other medicines your child is taking. Some combination medicines for colds and flu may also have paracetamol in them.
Tablets and capsules are suitable for older children who can swallow them.
Tablets and capsules should be swallowed with a glass of water. Your child shouldn't chew them as they have a very bitter taste.
When giving tablets and capsules, work out the dose that is right for your child, based on their weight. If you don't know how much to give them, ask your pharmacist. The following is a guide.

Child's weight	Tablet (500 mg)
More than 33 kilograms	1 tablet
More than 66 kilograms	1 to 2 tablets
Maximum: Nobody should take more than 2 tablets in 1 dose.

Wait at least 4 hours before giving the next dose

Don't give paracetamol more than 4 times in 24 hours and only give paracetamol if your child needs it for pain relief.
Wait at least 4 hours before giving the next dose, eg, 8 am, midday, 4 pm and 8 pm.
Keep track of the timing of the doses and check when it was last given before giving it again.

Keep a record every time you give your child a dose of paracetamol

Use the paracetamol dosing chart below to calculate your child's dose. Write down when you give each dose of paracetamol so you don't give your child too much.

Strength of paracetamol:
120 mg/5 mL OR 250 mg/5 mL OR 500 mg tablets or capsules
My child's weight (kg): ______________
Dose (mL): _________________

Date	Dosing times Before each dose, check whether your child still needs paracetamol. Wait at least 4 hours between doses. Don't give more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
Date:	Time of dose 1: _____________________________ Time of dose 2: _____________________________ Time of dose 3: _____________________________ Time of dose 4: _____________________________
Date:	Time of dose 1: _____________________________ Time of dose 2: _____________________________ Time of dose 3: _____________________________ Time of dose 4: _____________________________
Date:	Time of dose 1: _____________________________ Time of dose 2: _____________________________ Time of dose 3: _____________________________ Time of dose 4: _____________________________
Notes:

In Aotearoa New Zealand, paracetamol is available as a liquid, tablet, capsules and suppository. It's also found in many other medicines you can buy from the pharmacy for colds and flu or pain. Overdose can happen if your child takes more than 1 paracetamol-containing medicine. Check the ingredients of cold and flu medicines before you give them to your child.

Note: The following products are not suitable for children younger than 12 years of age.

Examples of medicines with paracetamol in them
Codral® Coldrex® Lemsip® Cold & Flu Relief® Panadol Cold & Flu®	Maxigesic® Sudafed PE® Mucinex Cold & Flu® Dimetapp Cold & Flu® Maxiclear Cold & Flu®

Paracetamol is a very popular medicine and when taken correctly works well. However, too much paracetamol is very harmful to the liver.

If you have given your child too much paracetamol (including other products with paracetamol in them), call your doctor, nurse or the Poisons Centre 0800 POISON (0800 764 766) immediately.

Keep all paracetamol in childproof containers, out of reach and out of sight of children.

Do NOT wait for signs of an overdose as these appear later when damage to the liver is already done.

Late signs may include nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick), diarrhoea (runny poos/hamuti), yellow skin or eyes, poor appetite and confusion or extreme sleepiness.

Fever in children
Giving medicines to babies and children
Ibuprofen for children