Paracetamol dosage for children to be revised

The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have issued new recommendations to parents about giving their children lower doses of paracetamol.

The previous guidance was that children up to the age of four could be dosed with up to 10ml of paracetamol-containing products such as Calpol up to four times a day. 

However, the new MHRA guidelines say lower doses should be given according to the child's age.

Based on a suspension of 120mg per 5ml, the new guidance states that babies of 2-3 months can be given one dose of 2.5ml but another dose is acceptable 4-6 hours later.

Babies of 3-6 months can be given 2.5ml up to four times daily, while babies and toddlers from 6-24 months can be dosed with 5ml up to four times daily.

Children of 2-4 years can receive 7.5ml up to four times a day, while those of 4-6 years can receive 10ml up to four times a day. 

The MHRA's new guidance says: "Younger children may have received a dose of paracetamol that was higher than necessary."

An MHRA spokesman said: "The change is to ensure children get the optimal dose of paracetamol suitable for their age. It is not because of safety concerns."

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