PARACETAMOL = ACETAMINOPHEN oral

Select language:
Permalink
On this page

    Last updated: February 2024

     

     
    Do not exceed indicated doses, especially in children and older patients. Paracetamol intoxications are severe (hepatic cytolysis).

     

    Therapeutic action

    • Analgesic, antipyretic

    Indications

    • Mild pain
    • Fever

    Forms and strengths

    • 100 mg and 500 mg tablets
    • 120 mg/5 ml oral suspension

    Dosage

    • Child under 1 month: 10 mg/kg 3 or 4 times daily (max. 40 mg/kg daily) 
    • Child 1 month and over: 15 mg/kg 3 or 4 times daily (max. 60 mg/kg daily)
    • Adult: 1 g 3 or 4 times daily (max. 4 g daily)

     

    Age

    Weight

    120 mg/5 ml susp.

    100 mg tablet

    500 mg tablet

    < 1 month

    < 4 kg

    1.5 ml x 3

    1 to < 3 months

    4 to < 6 kg

    2.5 ml x 3

    ½ tab x 3

    3 months to < 1 year

    6 to < 10 kg

    4 ml x 3

    1 tab x 3

    1 to < 3 years

    10 to < 15 kg

    6 ml x 3

    1½ tab x 3

    3 to < 5 years

    15 to < 20 kg

    8 ml x 3

    2 tab x 3

    5 to < 9 years

    20 to < 30 kg

    12 ml x 3

    3 tab x 3

    9 to < 14 years

    30 to < 50 kg

    1 tab x 3

    ≥ 14 years and adult

    ≥ 50 kg

    2 tab x 3

     

    Duration

    • According to clinical response

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Administer with caution to patients with hepatic impairment.
    • Reduce the dose in:
      • children with severe acute malnutrition: 10 mg/kg up to 3 times maximum per 24 hours
      • patients with dengue with warning sign(s):
        • Child: 10 mg/kg 3 to 4 times daily
        • Adult: 500 mg 3 to 4 times daily
    • Pregnancy: no contra-indication
    • Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

    Remarks

    • For mild pain, paracetamol is used alone or in combination with an NSAID.
    • For moderate pain, paracetamol is used in combination with an NSAID and codeine or tramadol.
    • For severe pain, paracetamol is used in combination with an NSAID and morphine.
    • Paracetamol is particularly recommended for patients allergic to aspirin, patients with a history of gastric problems and for pregnant and breast-feeding women and children.
    • Paracetamol has no anti-inflammatory properties.
    • N-acetylcysteine IV is the antidote for paracetamol poisoning.

    Storage

     
    –  Below 25 °C