You can give paracetamol to your child to treat:
- headaches
- stomach ache
- toothache
- earache
- cold symptoms
- a high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above
It's available as tablets, tablets that melt fast on your tongue (Calpol fastmelts), syrup or suppositories (medicine that's pushed gently into a child's bottom).
Brand names in Ireland for paracetamol include Panadol, Tipol, Calpol, Paralink, Rowalief and Paralief.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if your child:
- is in pain for more than 3 days
- is teething and paracetamol is not helping with their pain
Dosage and strength of paracetamol for children
Paracetamol tablets, syrup and suppositories come in a range of strengths. The dose usually depends on your child's age and sometimes their weight.
Ask a GP or pharmacist for advice if:
- your child is small or big for their age
- you're not sure what dose to give
Always read the packet leaflet and instructions carefully. This is so that you give the correct amount of medicine to your child.
2 to 3 months
You can give your child:
- syrup (Calpol or Paralink) - for children age 2 months or older
Important
Do not give paracetamol to babies if they are:
- younger than 2 months old (unless it is prescribed by a doctor)
- very small and weigh less than 4kg
If your baby is age 2 to 3 months, give them 2.5ml of syrup. A 2.5ml dose contains 60mg of paracetamol.
Do not give your child more than 2 doses in 24 hours, unless your GP or nurse gives you different advice. Wait at least 4 hours between doses.
If your baby was premature or is small for their age, they may need a lower dose. Check with your GP.
Give your baby paracetamol as soon as possible after their meningitis B (MenB) vaccination. This reduces the risk of your baby getting a high temperature. You may need to give them 3 doses in 24 hours instead of 2 doses. Wait at least 4 to 6 hours between each dose.
3 months to 6 years
You can give your child:
- syrup (Calpol or Paralink)
- suppositories (medicine that's pushed gently into a child's bottom)
For syrups, if your child is:
- 3 to 6 months, give them 2.5ml (60mg)
- 6 to 24 months, give them 5ml (120mg)
- 2 to 4 years, give them 7.5ml (180mg)
- 4 to 6 years, give them 10ml (240mg)
Do not give your child more than 4 doses in 24 hours. Wait at least 4 hours between doses.
For suppositories, check the instructions carefully or ask your pharmacist for advice.
6 to 12 years
You can give your child:
- a syrup for children age 6 years and older (for example Six Plus syrup)
- suppositories (medicine that's pushed gently into a child's bottom)
- tablets
For syrups, if your child is:
- 6 to 8 years, give them 5ml (250mg)
- 8 to 10 years, give them 7.5ml (375mg)
- 10 to 12 years, give them 10ml (500mg)
Do not give your child more than 4 doses of syrup in 24 hours. Wait at least 4 hours between doses.
For suppositories, check the instructions carefully or ask your pharmacist or GP for advice.
Tablets usually come as 250mg (Calpol fastmelts) or 500mg.
For tablets, if your child is:
- 6 to 9 years, give them 250mg
- 9 to 12 years, give them 500mg
Do not give your child more than 4 doses in 24 hours. Wait at least 4 hours between doses.
12 to 16 years
You can give your child:
- a syrup for children age 6 years and older (for example Six Plus syrup)
- suppositories (medicine that's pushed gently into a child's bottom)
- tablets
For syrups, you can give them 10ml (500mg) to 15ml (750mg).
For suppositories, check the instructions carefully or ask your pharmacist or GP for advice.
For tablets, you can give them 500mg to 750mg.
Do not give more than 4 doses of paracetamol in 24 hours.
For young people age 16 and over, read our information on paracetamol for adults.
If you give too much
Paracetamol can be dangerous if your child takes too much. Be careful to keep it out of sight and reach of children.
If you give your child an extra dose of paracetamol by mistake, wait at least 24 hours before you give them more.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 or go to an emergency department (ED) if your child:
- is vomiting, has tummy pain or the whites of their eyes and skin appear yellow (jaundice)
- has taken an overdose of paracetamol on purpose (self-harm)
Bring the paracetamol packet or leaflet plus any remaining medicine with you.
Urgent advice: Contact your GP or the National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) immediately if your child:
- takes 2 extra doses of paracetamol or more in 24 hours
- takes more than than the recommended dose of paracetamol in 24 hours
Get advice even if they feel well. There may be a risk of delayed liver damage.
Phone NPIC: 01 809 2166
Monday to Sunday, 8am to 10pm
If the information line is closed, contact a GP or an emergency department (ED).
How to give paracetamol to your child
Paracetamol can be taken with or without food.
It takes about 40 minutes to work.
Syrup
Use the syringe or spoon that comes with the medicine to measure the amount.
Do not use a kitchen teaspoon. It does not hold the same amount of medicine.
If you do not have the syringe or spoon that came with the medicine, ask your pharmacist for one.
Tablets
Give your child a drink to help them swallow their tablet. Tell your child not to chew the tablet.
If the tablet is dissolvable (soluble):
- Drop it into a drink of water.
- Stir to make sure it has dissolved completely.
- Give it to your child to drink.
Make sure your child drinks all the water mixture to get their full dose of paracetamol.
Do not let your child swallow fastmelt tablets. Ask your child to let the tablet melt on their tongue.
If your child vomits
Do not give your child the same dose again if your child vomits (gets sick) after having a dose of paracetamol tablets or syrup.
Wait until it's time for their next dose, or ask your GP or pharmacist for advice.
Ask your GP if your child can take paracetamol suppositories instead of tablets or syrup.
You do not need to give your child another dose if your child gets sick straight after having a suppository. The suppository will still work.