The paediatric drug dosage calculator computes the dose per administration and total daily dose for children based on the prescribed mg/kg dose and the child's body weight. Weight-based dosing is used for virtually all medications in paediatric practice because children's pharmacokinetics differ substantially from adults — particularly in neonates and infants. Always verify paediatric doses against a current reference such as the BNF for Children (BNFc) or Harriet Lane Handbook before administration.
| Drug | Typical Dose | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Paracetamol / Acetaminophen | 15 mg/kg Q4-6H (max 75 mg/kg/day) | PO/PR |
| Ibuprofen | 5–10 mg/kg Q6-8H (max 40 mg/kg/day) | PO |
| Amoxicillin | 25–45 mg/kg/day in 2–3 divided doses | PO |
| Ceftriaxone | 50–100 mg/kg/day (max 4g/day) | IV/IM |
| Salbutamol (Albuterol) | 0.1–0.15 mg/kg Q4-6H (max 2.5mg) | Nebulised |
Multiply the child's weight in kg by the prescribed dose in mg/kg to get the single dose. For example, paracetamol 15 mg/kg for a 20 kg child = 15 × 20 = 300 mg per dose. Multiply by daily frequency to get the total daily dose.
The standard dose of paracetamol for children is 15 mg/kg every 4–6 hours, with a maximum daily dose of 75 mg/kg/day (up to 4g/day in children over 50 kg). Always check the current BNFc or prescribing information for age and weight-specific limits.