Paracetamol

Form

Tablet: 500mg; Capsules: 500mg
Soluble tablets: 120mg, 500mg
Oral solution: 120mg in 5mL
Oral suspension: 120mg in 5mL; 250mg in 5mL
Suppositories: 60mg, 125mg, 250mg, 500mg
Intravenous infusion: 10mg in 1mL, 50mL and 100mL ampoules

Other strengths available as ‘specials’

Dose (Oral)

Neonate 28-32 weeks gestational age: 20mg/kg as a single dose then 10-15mg/kg every 8-12hrs as necessary (max: 30mg/kg/day in divided doses)
Neonate over 32 weeks gestation: 20mg/kg as a single dose then 10-15mg/kg every 6-8hrs as necessary (max: 60mg/kg/day in divided doses)
1 month - 6 years: 20-30mg/kg as a single dose then 15-20mg/kg every 4-6hrs as necessary (max: 75mg/kg/day in divided doses)
6 -12yr: 20-30mg/kg (max: 1g) as a single dose then 15-20mg/kg every 4-6hrs as necessary (max: 75mg/kg/day or 4g/day in divided doses)
>12yr: 15-20mg/kg (max: 500mg-1g) every 4-6hours as necessary (max: 4g/day in divided doses)

Dose (rectal)

Neonate 28-32 weeks gestational age: 20mg/kg as a single dose then 10-15mg/kg every 12hrs as necessary (max: 30mg/kg/day in divided doses)
Neonate over 32 weeks gestation: 30mg/kg as a single dose then 15-20mg/ kg every 8hrs as necessary (max: 60mg/kg/day in divided doses)
1 month -3 months: 30mg/kg as a single dose then 15-20mg/kg every 4-6hrs as necessary (max: 75mg/kg/day in divided doses)
3 month -12 years: 30mg/kg as a single dose (max:1g) then 15-20mg/kg every 4-6hrs as necessary (max: 75mg/kg/day or 4g/day in in divided doses)
>12yr: 15-20mg/kg (max:500mg-1g) every 4-6hours as necessary (max: 4g/day in divided doses)

Dose (IV infusion)

Preterm neonate >32 weeks corrected gestational age: 7.5mg/kg every 8 hrs (max:25mg/kg/day)
Neonate: 10mg/kg every 4-6hours (max: 30mg/kg/day)
Body weight <10kg: 10mg/kg every 4-6hrs (max: 60mg/kg/day)
Body weight 10-50kg: 15mg/kg every 4-6hr(max:60mg/kg/day)
Bodyweight >50kg: 1g every 4-6hrs (max 4g/day)

Doses are given in body weight rather than age to reduce the risk of over-dosing since in the palliative care population children may be underweight. Contraindications and warnings: dose related toxicity in hepatic failure; in moderate renal failure use maximum frequency of 6 hourly. In severe renal failure maximum frequency 8 hourly.

Significantly removed by haemodialysis but not by CAPD. May provide additional analgesia in combination with opioids.

Licence: licensed for analgesic use in children > 3 months