Pediatric Dose & Liquid Medicine Calculator

Calculate safe and effective medication doses for children based on weight, age, and liquid concentration.

Enter the child's weight, age (optional), dosage per kg, frequency, and liquid concentration to instantly get the correct medication dosage in mg and ml. Designed for healthcare professionals and parents.

Examples

Click an example to load it into the calculator.

Paracetamol - Child (20 kg, 7 years)

Paracetamol - Child (20 kg, 7 years)

7-year-old child with fever, using 160 mg/5ml liquid (32 mg/ml), 4 doses per day.

Weight: 20 kg

Age: 7

Dosage: 15 mg/kg

Doses/Day: 4

Concentration: 32 mg/ml

Max Single Dose: 500 mg

Max Daily Dose: 2000 mg

Ibuprofen - Infant (8 kg, 1 year)

Ibuprofen - Infant (8 kg, 1 year)

1-year-old infant with pain, using 100 mg/5ml liquid (20 mg/ml), 3 doses per day.

Weight: 8 kg

Age: 1

Dosage: 10 mg/kg

Doses/Day: 3

Concentration: 20 mg/ml

Max Single Dose: 200 mg

Max Daily Dose: 600 mg

Amoxicillin - Toddler (12 kg, 2 years)

Amoxicillin - Toddler (12 kg, 2 years)

2-year-old with infection, using 250 mg/5ml suspension (50 mg/ml), 2 doses per day.

Weight: 12 kg

Age: 2

Dosage: 25 mg/kg

Doses/Day: 2

Concentration: 50 mg/ml

Max Single Dose: 500 mg

Max Daily Dose: 1000 mg

Antibiotic - Older Child (35 kg, 10 years)

Antibiotic - Older Child (35 kg, 10 years)

10-year-old with severe infection, using 400 mg/5ml liquid (80 mg/ml), 3 doses per day.

Weight: 35 kg

Age: 10

Dosage: 30 mg/kg

Doses/Day: 3

Concentration: 80 mg/ml

Max Single Dose: 1000 mg

Max Daily Dose: 3000 mg

Other Titles
Understanding Pediatric Dose & Liquid Medicine Calculator: A Comprehensive Guide
Master safe and effective pediatric medication dosing. Learn the principles, calculations, and best practices for child medication administration.

What is the Pediatric Dose & Liquid Medicine Calculator?

  • Core Principles of Pediatric Dosing
  • Why Accurate Dosing Matters
  • Types of Pediatric Medications
The Pediatric Dose & Liquid Medicine Calculator is a clinical tool designed to help healthcare professionals and parents determine the correct medication dose for children. It uses the child's weight, age, and medication concentration to provide safe, effective dosing in both mg and ml.
Why is Accurate Pediatric Dosing Critical?
Children have different pharmacokinetics compared to adults. Underdosing can lead to treatment failure, while overdosing increases the risk of side effects and toxicity. This calculator ensures dosing is tailored to the child's specific needs, maximizing efficacy and safety.
Pediatric Medication Forms
Most pediatric medications come in liquid forms (suspensions, syrups) for easier administration. The calculator supports various concentrations and helps convert between mg and ml for accurate dosing.

Key Dosing Concepts:

  • Dosing is primarily based on weight, not age
  • Always check the medication concentration
  • Consider maximum dose limits for safety

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Calculator

  • Gathering Accurate Data
  • Inputting Information
  • Interpreting Results
To use the calculator effectively, first obtain an accurate weight measurement. Select the appropriate dosage per kg based on clinical guidelines. Enter the liquid concentration from the medication label. Set dosing frequency and optional maximum dose limits.
Input Fields Explained
Weight: Use kg or lb as preferred unit. Age: Optional, for reference. Dosage: mg per kg of body weight. Doses per Day: Frequency of administration. Concentration: mg per ml of liquid medication. Maximum Doses: Optional safety limits.
Understanding the Results
The calculator provides single dose in mg and ml, total daily dose, and warnings if maximum limits are exceeded. Always double-check calculations and consult healthcare providers when unsure.

Practical Example Steps:

  • A 20 kg child with 15 mg/kg dose: 20 × 15 = 300 mg per dose
  • With 32 mg/ml concentration: 300 ÷ 32 = 9.4 ml per dose
  • 4 times daily: 300 × 4 = 1200 mg total daily dose

Real-World Applications of Pediatric Dosing

  • Common Pediatric Medications
  • Clinical Scenarios
  • Safety Considerations
This calculator is essential for dosing common pediatric medications like paracetamol, ibuprofen, antibiotics, and other liquid medications. It's used in clinics, hospitals, and home care settings.
Clinical Applications
Used for fever management, pain relief, infection treatment, and chronic condition management. Helps ensure consistent dosing across different caregivers and settings.
Safety and Monitoring
Always verify weight measurements, check medication labels for concentration, and monitor for side effects. Keep dosing records and communicate with healthcare providers.

Common Use Cases:

  • Fever management with paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • Antibiotic treatment for infections
  • Pain relief for injuries or procedures

Common Misconceptions and Correct Methods

  • Weight vs Age Dosing
  • Concentration Confusion
  • Frequency Errors
A common mistake is using age-based dosing instead of weight-based dosing. Children of the same age can have significantly different weights, leading to under or overdosing.
Concentration Errors
Always check the medication label for the exact concentration. Different brands or formulations may have different mg/ml concentrations.
Dosing Frequency
Follow prescribed dosing intervals. Giving medication too frequently can lead to toxicity, while too infrequent dosing may reduce effectiveness.

Best Practices:

  • Always use weight-based dosing for accuracy
  • Double-check concentration from medication label
  • Set appropriate maximum dose limits

Mathematical Derivation and Examples

  • Basic Dose Calculation
  • Volume Conversion
  • Safety Limits
The fundamental formula is: Single Dose (mg) = Weight (kg) × Dosage (mg/kg). For liquid medications: Volume (ml) = Dose (mg) ÷ Concentration (mg/ml).
Calculation Examples
Example 1: 15 kg child, 10 mg/kg dose = 150 mg. With 25 mg/ml concentration = 6 ml. Example 2: 25 kg child, 20 mg/kg dose = 500 mg. With 50 mg/ml concentration = 10 ml.
Safety Considerations
Always check calculated doses against maximum limits. Consider the child's clinical condition, other medications, and individual factors that may affect dosing.

Mathematical Examples:

  • Weight conversion: 30 lb = 30 ÷ 2.2 = 13.6 kg
  • Dose calculation: 13.6 kg × 15 mg/kg = 204 mg
  • Volume calculation: 204 mg ÷ 32 mg/ml = 6.4 ml