How much Panadol do I give my child?

The dose of paracetamol for children is 15mg per kilogram of body weight, given every 4-6 hours as needed, up to 4 doses in 24 hours. Use your child’s weight, not age, for accurate dosing.

Can I give paracetamol and ibuprofen together?

You can alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen but should not give them at the same time unless directed by a doctor. Always wait the recommended interval between doses of each medication.

Children's Dosage Calculator

Calculate the correct dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen for your child based on their weight.

📋 Sources (verified June 2026):

Australian Medicines Handbook — Children’s Dosing Companion (paracetamol 15 mg/kg/dose; ibuprofen 5–10 mg/kg/dose).
Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne — Clinical Practice Guidelines (Acute Pain Management; Febrile Child).
TGA-approved Product Information for each Australian formulation (Panadol, Nurofen, Dymadon, Painstop, Advil).

⚠️ Concentrations vary between brands. Infant drops (typically 100 mg/mL paracetamol or 40 mg/mL ibuprofen), infant suspension (24 mg/mL) and children’s strength (48 mg/mL) all use different syringes. Read the label on the bottle in front of you every time. The pharmacist who dispensed it can confirm if you’re unsure.
This page is general health information, not medical advice. Your GP, pharmacist or 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) knows your child’s situation — follow their advice.

Before you use this tool — read these five things:

1. Babies under 3 months with a fever (≥38°C) — do not give medication; call your GP or 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) immediately.
2. Use weight, not age. Age-based dosing on the packet is approximate and often under- or over-doses.
3. Check the concentration on YOUR product — infant drops, infant suspension and children's strength are all different. Use the syringe that came in the box.
4. Do not give ibuprofen if your child is under 3 months, under 5 kg, has chickenpox, is dehydrated, or has kidney problems.
5. Call 000 if your child has difficulty breathing, is unresponsive, has a seizure >5 min, has a non-blanching rash, or you think they’ve had too much medication.

General guidance only — not medical advice. This is to help you double-check a dose. Always verify against the label on your specific product; concentrations vary between brands. If you’re unsure, your pharmacist can confirm in 30 seconds.

Child's weight (kg)

If you don't know your child's weight, weigh them on bathroom scales — hold them and subtract your weight.

Which medication?

Yes, you can alternate between paracetamol and ibuprofen if one alone is not controlling your child's pain or fever. However, do not give both at the same time unless directed by a doctor.

How to alternate: Give one medication, then if the fever or pain returns before the next dose is due, give the other medication. Keep track of what you gave and when. For example: paracetamol at 8am, ibuprofen at 11am, paracetamol at 2pm.

Aim to stop alternating as soon as possible and use a single medication. If you need to alternate for more than 24 hours, contact your GP.

See a doctor if your child:

• Is under 3 months old with any fever (≥38°C)

• Has a fever lasting more than 48 hours

• Is unusually drowsy or difficult to wake

• Has a rash that doesn't blanch (go white) when pressed

• Is not drinking or has fewer wet nappies than usual

• Has severe pain or is inconsolable

• Has had a febrile convulsion (seizure with fever)

Call 000 if your child is having difficulty breathing, is unresponsive, or has a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes.

Paracetamol: 15 mg/kg per dose, every 4–6 hours, maximum 4 doses in 24 hours (max 60 mg/kg/day or 1000mg per dose, whichever is less).

Ibuprofen: 5–10 mg/kg per dose (we use 10 mg/kg), every 6–8 hours, maximum 3 doses in 24 hours (max 400mg per dose).

Doses are based on the Australian Medicines Handbook Children's Dosing Companion and product information for Australian formulations. Always check the concentration on your specific product, as it may differ from what is shown here.