Pharmacology

Children's drug doses

Common analgesic and antibiotic doses for children.

Drug	Dose
Paracetamol	15 mg/kg every 4–6 h (max 4 doses/24 h) — or by age band per BNFC
Ibuprofen (≥ 3 months, > 5 kg)	5–10 mg/kg every 6–8 h (max 30 mg/kg/day)
Amoxicillin	1–4 y 250 mg TDS · 5–11 y 500 mg TDS · ≥ 12 y 500 mg TDS
Phenoxymethylpenicillin	1–5 y 125 mg QDS · 6–11 y 250 mg QDS · ≥ 12 y 500 mg QDS
Metronidazole	1–2 y 50 mg TDS · 3–6 y 100 mg BD · 7–9 y 100 mg TDS · ≥ 10 y 200 mg TDS

Check the current BNFC for the exact formulation; use oral suspensions; give by weight for underweight or overweight children. Avoid aspirin under 16 years (Reye's syndrome).

UK vs US

United States

AAPD: ibuprofen 10 mg/kg every 6–8 h; acetaminophen 10–15 mg/kg every 4–6 h; amoxicillin 25–50 mg/kg/day divided TID.

Sources

Checked against these sources on 2026-10-22. Guidelines change — open the source to confirm.

Summarised from the sources above. Always verify against current local guidelines and the patient's medical history.

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