Children's Pain Medicine Dose Calculator

By weight, not age — weight is more accurate. A common guide is about 15 mg per kg of paracetamol up to four times a day, and about 10 mg per kg of ibuprofen three times a day with food. There are maximum single and daily limits. Always measure with the syringe or cup provided and follow the strength printed on your product, as concentrations differ.

Often yes — for stronger pain they can be used together or alternated, which many surgical and dental teams recommend for children. Keep to each medicine's own dose and timing, write down what you give and when, and ask your pharmacist or team if you're unsure how to combine them safely.

Don't rely on it for babies under 3 months or very small children — get medical advice instead. Avoid ibuprofen if your child is dehydrated, has kidney problems, certain asthma that worsens with it, a history of stomach ulcers, or chickenpox, unless a doctor advises. If your child is unwell, not drinking, or you're unsure, ask a pharmacist or doctor rather than guessing.

Always follow your specific product's instructions and never exceed its stated maximum. Bottles come in different strengths (for example infant vs child formulations), so the millilitres you measure depend on the concentration printed on your bottle. If the numbers don't match, check with a pharmacist.