Children’s Medicines: Safe Use and Dosing Guide for Parents
Giving medicines to children requires extra care. Children are not simply small adults — their organ systems process medicines differently, and dosing errors are among the most common medication mistakes in paediatric care. This guide helps parents safely use common children’s medicines.
Golden Rule: Always Check with a Doctor Before Giving Medicine to Young Children
This is especially important for:
- Infants under 3 months — always see a doctor for any illness
- Children under 2 years — most cough and cold medicines are NOT recommended
- Children with chronic conditions, allergies, or on other medications
Fever Medicine for Children
Paracetamol (Crocin, Calpol)
The first-line medicine for fever and mild pain in children. Available as syrup, drops, and tablets.
Dosing: 10–15mg per kg of body weight, every 4–6 hours. Maximum 4 doses in 24 hours.
Example: A 10kg child would need 100–150mg per dose. Check the concentration of your syrup — paracetamol syrups in India typically come as 120mg/5ml or 250mg/5ml.
Ibuprofen
An alternative to paracetamol; has anti-inflammatory properties. Not recommended for children under 6 months.
Dosing: 5–10mg per kg, every 6–8 hours. Give with food.
Do not use: In dehydrated children, children with kidney problems, or during suspected dengue fever (risk of bleeding).
Alternating Paracetamol and Ibuprofen
Some doctors recommend alternating between paracetamol and ibuprofen every 3 hours for stubborn high fevers. Only do this under medical guidance.
Never Give Aspirin to Children
Aspirin is absolutely contraindicated in children under 16 due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome — a serious and potentially fatal condition causing liver and brain damage.
Cough and Cold Medicines for Children
The Indian Academy of Paediatrics and international guidelines strongly advise:
- No cough and cold medicines for children under 2 years — these medicines don’t work and can cause serious side effects including fits, rapid heart rate, and death in infants
- Children 2–6 years: use only under medical supervision
- For older children: only if specifically prescribed; natural remedies (honey for cough in children over 1 year, warm fluids, steam) are often preferable
Safe Home Remedies for Cold in Children
- Warm honey and ginger for children over 1 year (never honey for infants under 1 — botulism risk)
- Steam inhalation (supervised) for nasal congestion
- Nasal saline drops for blocked nose — safe at any age
- Adequate hydration with warm fluids
Antibiotics in Children
- Never give leftover antibiotics or an older sibling’s prescription
- Complete the full prescribed course even if the child seems better
- Amoxicillin suspension must be refrigerated after mixing — ask the pharmacist about shelf life after preparation
- Report antibiotic allergy (rash, swelling, breathing difficulty) immediately
Antidiarrhoeals and ORS in Children
- ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution): Most important treatment for diarrhoea in children — prevents dangerous dehydration. Use WHO-formula ORS, not sports drinks or home fluids.
- Zinc supplementation: Recommended for children under 5 with diarrhoea (20mg for 10–14 days) — reduces duration and severity
- Loperamide: Contraindicated in children under 2 years and in bloody diarrhoea
- Continue breastfeeding or age-appropriate feeding during diarrhoea
Giving Medicines to Children: Practical Tips
- Always use the measuring device that comes with the medicine (oral syringe or calibrated spoon) — never use a kitchen teaspoon
- For difficult-to-take tablets, ask the pharmacist if the medicine can be crushed (not all medicines are safe to crush)
- Mix medicine in a small amount of food only if the pharmacist confirms it won’t affect absorption
- Give medicine when the child is calm; never force it and risk aspiration
- Keep all medicines locked away — child-resistant packaging is not child-proof
Medicine Overdose in Children — Emergency Action
If you suspect your child has taken too much medicine or swallowed someone else’s medicine:
- Don’t induce vomiting unless specifically instructed
- Call the National Poison Control Helpline: 1800-116-117
- Go immediately to the nearest emergency room
- Bring the medicine bottle with you
Paediatric Medicines at Dashvanth Healthcare
Our paediatrics department and pharmacy work together to ensure children receive the right medicines at the right doses. Our paediatricians can advise on appropriate treatments, and our pharmacists can help with accurate dosing calculations and proper preparation of children’s medicines.
