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Paediatric Dose Calculator by Weight
The Paediatric Dose Calculator allows medication doses to be calculated according to the child’s weight or age, using mg/kg/dose or mg/kg/day regimens and the corresponding maximum doses when applicable. It includes paracetamol, ibuprofen, antibiotics used for common paediatric conditions, corticosteroids, antihistamines, antiemetics, antivirals and selected antifungal agents.
Select the medication or clinical condition, enter the child’s weight and view the estimated dose per administration and recommended frequency. The tool is intended for healthcare professionals and supports dose calculation. The clinical indication, formulation concentration, age restrictions and any need for individual dose adjustment should always be confirmed.
Related algorithms
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the Pediatric Dose Calculator
1) What is the Pediatric Dose Calculator used for?
The tool supports the calculation of pediatric medication doses based on the child’s weight and, when applicable, the clinical condition (e.g. tonsillitis, acute otitis media, pneumonia or urinary tract infection). It provides the estimated dose per administration and the recommended dosing frequency according to the selected regimen.
2) How is a pediatric dose calculated by weight?
The calculation uses mg/kg/dose or mg/kg/day regimens, depending on the medicine, while respecting defined maximum dose limits when applicable. When several treatment options are available, the medicine and desired concentration can be selected.
3) Does the calculator indicate the dosing frequency?
Yes. For each medicine, the amount per dose and the corresponding administration frequency (e.g. every 8 hours or every 12 hours) are shown when applicable.
4) Which medicines are included?
The calculator includes paracetamol, ibuprofen, antibiotics used for common pediatric conditions, antiemetics, corticosteroids, antihistamines, selected antivirals and antifungals.
5) What sources are the doses based on?
The doses used in the calculator are based on recognized clinical literature, recommendations from scientific societies, clinical guidelines and official medicine information, as applicable. The original references should be consulted in specific situations or whenever there is clinical uncertainty.
6) What age groups can the calculator be used for?
The tool includes regimens applicable to infants, children and adolescents, taking into account the age limits defined for each medicine. Some medicines may not be suitable for certain age groups.
7) Does a pediatric dose depend only on weight?
No. Although many pediatric doses are calculated according to body weight, adjustments may be required according to age, prematurity, renal or hepatic function, obesity, nutritional status, drug interactions and other individual clinical characteristics.
8) How do I convert a dose in mg/kg to mL?
After calculating the dose in mg, the concentration of the selected formulation is used to determine the corresponding volume in mL. Always confirm the concentration stated on the package or prescribed medicine before administration.
9) Does the calculator replace prescribing or clinical judgment?
No. It is a tool for dose calculation and clinical decision support. The final prescription should take into account the diagnosis, therapeutic indication, clinical condition, medical history, concomitant medicines and individual characteristics of the child.
10) Who is this calculator intended for?
The Pediatric Dose Calculator is intended for healthcare professionals, including physicians, pharmacists and nurses, as a clinical practice support tool.
Technical information
Reference doses used by the calculator
The values below correspond to the regimens used by the calculator and are intended to support dose calculation by healthcare professionals.
The final dose should be confirmed according to the clinical indication, age, weight, renal/hepatic function, maximum dose, available formulation and official medicine information.
- Paracetamol
- 15 mg/kg/dose every 6 hours
- 20 mg/kg/dose every 8 hours
- Corresponding daily dose: up to 60 mg/kg/day in the regimens shown
- Ibuprofen
- 10 mg/kg/dose every 8 hours
- 7.5 mg/kg/dose every 6 hours
- Corresponding daily dose: up to 30 mg/kg/day in the regimens shown
- Tonsillitis / streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis
- Amoxicillin: 50 mg/kg/day
- Clarithromycin: 15 mg/kg/day
- Erythromycin: 50 mg/kg/day
- Azithromycin: 12 mg/kg/day
- Cefuroxime: 20 mg/kg/day (reference range: 20–30 mg/kg/day)
- Acute otitis media
- Amoxicillin: 80 mg/kg/day (reference range: 80–90 mg/kg/day)
- Clarithromycin: 15 mg/kg/day
- Erythromycin: 50 mg/kg/day
- Azithromycin: 10 mg/kg/day
- Cefuroxime: 30 mg/kg/day
- Community-acquired pneumonia
- Amoxicillin: 80 mg/kg/day (reference range: 80–100 mg/kg/day)
- Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid: dose calculated according to the amoxicillin component, 80 mg/kg/day (reference range: 75–90 mg/kg/day)
- Azithromycin: 10 mg/kg/day, when clinically indicated
- Urinary tract infection
- The choice of antibiotic depends on age, site of infection, antimicrobial susceptibility results and local resistance patterns.
- Options used in paediatric recommendations include trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin and cefalexin, depending on the clinical context.
- Macrolides such as clarithromycin, erythromycin and azithromycin should not be presented as routine options for paediatric UTI.
- Other antibiotics
- Flucloxacillin: 50 mg/kg/day
- Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim: 40 mg/kg/day + 8 mg/kg/day, respectively
- For trimethoprim, the dosing range depends on the indication; always confirm the specific regimen.
- Antiemetic: metoclopramide
- 0.1–0.15 mg/kg/dose, up to 3 administrations per day
- Maximum daily dose: 0.5 mg/kg/day
- Paediatric use depends on age and indication; confirm the Summary of Product Characteristics before prescribing.
- Corticosteroids
- Betamethasone: 0.1 mg/kg/day (reference range: 0.02–0.25 mg/kg/day)
- Deflazacort: 1 mg/kg/day (reference range: 0.25–2 mg/kg/day)
- The dose depends strongly on the clinical indication and anticipated duration of treatment.
- Antihistamines: weight-adjusted dose
- Hydroxyzine: in children up to 40 kg, do not exceed 2 mg/kg/day
- Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration.
- Antihistamines: age-adjusted dose
- Cetirizine: dose defined according to age and formulation, in accordance with the Summary of Product Characteristics
- Levocetirizine: dose defined according to age and formulation, in accordance with the Summary of Product Characteristics
- Desloratadine: dose defined according to age and formulation, in accordance with the Summary of Product Characteristics
- Bilastine: dose defined according to age and formulation, in accordance with the Summary of Product Characteristics
- Ebastine: dose defined according to age and formulation, in accordance with the Summary of Product Characteristics
- Antiviral: aciclovir
- Varicella: the regimen should be defined according to age, weight, indication and recommended frequency for the formulation used.
- Herpes simplex: the dose varies according to the type and severity of infection; avoid using a single daily value as a universal reference.
- Antifungal: fluconazole
- Mucosal candidiasis: 3 mg/kg/day
- A loading dose of 6 mg/kg may be used on the first day, depending on the indication.
- Invasive or cryptococcal infections: generally 6–12 mg/kg/day, depending on the indication and severity.
Note: this table presents reference values used for dose calculation and does not replace consultation of the Summary of Product Characteristics, local protocols or specific clinical guidelines. In premature infants, neonates, renal or hepatic impairment, obesity, drug interactions or complex clinical situations, individual dose adjustment may be required.
06/09/2026
Paracetamol and ibuprofen
Choose the therapeutic option
Choose the taking frequency
3
(Kg)
Amount per doseml
Antibiotics: tonsillitis
Choose the therapeutic option
3
Amount per dose ml
Antibiotics: acute otitis media
Choose the therapeutic option
3
(Kg)
Amount per dose ml
Antibiotics: community-acquired pneumonia
Choose the therapeutic option
3
(Kg)
Amount per dose ml
Antibiotics: urinary tract infection
Choose the therapeutic option
3
(Kg)
Amount per dose ml
Antibiotics: others
Choose the therapeutic option
3
(Kg)
Amount per dose ml
Antiemetic: metoclopramide
Choose the therapeutic option
0
Years
Amount per dose ml
Corticosteroids
Choose the therapeutic option
Choose taking frequency
2
(Kg)
Amount per dose drops
Antihistamines: weight-adjusted doses
Choose the therapeutic option
Choose the taking frequency
3
(Kg)
Amount per dose ml
Antihistamines: age-adjusted doses
Choose the therapeutic option
1
Years
Amount per dose ml
Antiviral: acyclovir
Choose the therapeutic option
Indicated treatment for immunocompromised children.
2
(kg)
Amount per dose ml
Antifungal: fluconazole
Choose the therapeutic option
3
(Kg)
Amount per dose ml