Before we look at how much paracetamol you can take or give your child, let’s briefly summarise what it is: paracetamol is the common name for a painkiller that you can buy from the pharmacy to treat mild to moderate aches, pains and fever. Sometimes it is combined with other active ingredients and is important in a wide range of cold and flu remedies. Like Cipladon is a medicine in which paracetamol is the only active ingredient.

 

Who should NOT take paracetamol?

First, remember that paracetamol is a drug. Because of this, you should never take more than the recommended dosage. We discuss this in more detail below. Also, paracetamol –

• can react with other medications which means that it is not always the best choice
• is bad for people with liver disease and who suffer from alcoholism¹
• should not be taken with any other medicine that also contains paracetamol

Secondly, if you are pregnant, it’s usually best to avoid medication. However, if your pain is unbearable, paracetamol is considered relatively safe. You can read more on taking paracetamol during pregnancy here. The same applies after the baby arrives, and when you’re breastfeeding.²

Regardless of all this, it’s always best to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking medication.

Are there side effects and could I be allergic to paracetamol?

The short answer is that yes, it’s possible to be allergic to paracetamol. So, if you have taken paracetamol these are symptoms to look out for: an itchy rash or hives, difficulty breathing; possible swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat swell.

Sometimes, people taking paracetamol can also have side effects. These include a low fever, nausea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. Another is dark urine and/or if the person’s stools are pale, like the colour of clay. A third side effect is if the skin and eyes begin to jaundice or turn yellow.³

If you, or your children, have any of these symptoms, stop using paracetamol immediately and get emergency medical help.

How much paracetamol can I take or give my child?

Before we get into dosages of paracetamol for you and your kid(s), there are some basic rules to bear in mind:

• read – and follow – the instructions
• stick to your doctor or pharmacist’s directions
• never take more than the recommended dose that the doctor or pharmacist prescribes
• never take more than four doses of paracetamol in 24 hours

 

Cipladon is the smart choice: f-f-fizzy, f-f-faster pain relief

Unlike other forms of paracetamol, Cipladon is an effervescent paracetamol tablet that comes in two strengths, 1000mg and 500mg tablets.

The 500mg tablets have a sweetened flavour with aspartame. Both dissolve in water to make a fizzy drink.

The fizz not only makes for faster pain relief, but because it dissolves in water, it’s much easier – for everyone – to take.

Cipladon is easy to give, tastes great and relieves pain & fever faster!

 

Cipladon dosages for pain and fever in adults

For pain and fever, adults can take between 500 and 1000 mg of Cipladon, dissolved in a small glass of water.

The usual dose for adults is one or two 500mg tablets up to 4 times in 24 hours, in other words, up to a maximum dosage of four (4) 1000g Cipladon effervescent tablets per day.

Remember: doses should be at least 4 hours apart and you can take a maximum of 4 doses in a 24-hour period.⁴

 

Your child’s weight and paracetamol dosage

Below we give you some useful guidelines for when your child has pain and fever, and you need to know how much paracetamol you can safely give:

Paracetamol for children with a fever	Paracetamol for children in pain
from the age of 2 months, paracetamol syrup	for children under 6 years old, infant syrup, also called “junior syrup”.  A 5ml dose contains 120mg of paracetamol.
the age of 3 months, suppositories	for children aged 6 years and older, Six plus (6+) syrup.  A 5ml dose contains 250mg of paracetamol.
from the age of 6 years, tablets (including soluble tablets)

 

Before you give your child medicine, make sure that you will be giving them the correct dose. Here is a useful guide to how much paracetamol to give your child, and how often.

Age	How much?	How often?
1 to 3 months	2.5ml (60mg)	Max 2 times in 24 hours
3 to 6 months	2.5ml (60mg)	Max 4 times in 24 hours
6 to 24 months	5ml (120mg)	Max 4 times in 24 hours
2 to 4 years	7.5ml (180mg)	Max 4 times in 24 hours
4 to 6 years	10ml (240mg)	Max 4 times in 24 hours
6 to 8 years	5ml (250mg)	Max 4 times in 24 hours

 

Your child’s weight determines the dosage of paracetamol that they can take. For children from one-month-old to 18 years, the dosage is as follows:⁵

• 15 mg per 1kg per dose to a maximum of 1000 mg every four hours
• A maximum of 75 mg per 1kg per day (without exceeding 4000 mg) for 48 hours
• After 48 hours a maximum of 60 mg/kg per day without exceeding 4000 mg

 

Cipladon 500 – the handy solution to tablet spitting

Children from than 6 years up and who meet the weight requirements (see the table above), can safely take Cipladon 500.

For children between 6 and 12 years old, they can take ½ to 1 tablet dissolved in water.

Remember:

• Children should not be given paracetamol for more than 3 days without consulting a health care professional.⁶
• Doses should be at least 4 hours apart and children can be given a maximum of 4 doses in a 24-hour period.

 

Best of all, if your child suffers from pill-swallowing anxiety:

• Cipladon 500 is the perfect solution for children who are too old for syrup and too young for tablets: no more fighting, and no more spitting pills out!
• Cipladon 500 means that kids who don’t want to or are scared of swallowing pills are more likely to take their medicine when it is a sugar-free, fizzy, sweetened flavoured drink.

In short, and as we always say, Cipladon is easy to give or take, tastes great, and relieves pain and fever f-f-faster!

 

Disclaimer: The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. If you are unsure what dosage to give your child, ask your pharmacist/healthcare provider. If symptoms persist, seek medical advice.

Sources:

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1. Paracetamol Interactions. Drugs.com [Online] Available from <https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/acetaminophen,paracetamol.html> 14/09/2022
2. Breastfeeding and medicines. National Health Service, UK [Online] Available from <https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding-and-lifestyle/medicines/> 14/09/2022
3. Stewart, J., (Reviewer) 2021. Paracetamol. Drugs.com [Online] Available from <https://www.drugs.com/paracetamol.html > 23/05/2022
4. Paracetamol for adults. National Health Services [Online] Available from <https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-adults/> 19/05/2022
5. How much paracetamol should I give my child? Health Navigator New Zealand [online] Available from <https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/tools/p/paracetamol-dose-calculator/> 26/04/2022
6. Paracetamol for children. National Health Services [Online] Available from <https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-children/> 26/04/2022