Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
Use: Fever and pain
Usual timing: Every 6 hours if needed (max 4 doses / 24 hours)
How to use
- Match the strength printed on your bottle before measuring.
- Do not combine with other paracetamol cold/cough syrups.
- Use the dropper or measuring cup that comes with the bottle.
Precautions
- Fever under 3 months — same-day clinic, do not dose at home from this calculator.
- Known liver disease, or if the child already had a dose in the last 6 hours.
Ibuprofen
Use: Fever and pain (from 6 months)
Usual timing: Every 8 hours if needed (max 3 doses / 24 hours)
How to use
- Give after food if possible. Prefer paracetamol first in many children.
- Offer extra fluids. Stop and see a doctor if there is vomiting, rash, or tummy pain.
Precautions
- Under 6 months, dehydration, chickenpox, asthma flare, kidney disease, or on a doctor’s advice to avoid NSAIDs.
Cetirizine
Use: Allergic runny nose / itch (from 6 months)
Usual timing: Once or twice daily as below
How to use
- 6–12 months: 2.5 mg once daily. 1–2 years: 2.5 mg once or twice daily if advised.
- 2–6 years: 5 mg once daily. 6 years and above: 10 mg once daily.
Precautions
- Under 6 months, or if the child is unusually sleepy / irritable after a dose.
Zinc (for diarrhoea)
Use: With ORS during acute diarrhoea, 14 days
Usual timing: Once daily for 14 days
How to use
- WHO/IAP: 10 mg daily under 6 months; 20 mg daily from 6 months, for 14 days.
- Continue feeding and ORS. This is not an antibiotic.
Precautions
- Bloody diarrhoea, high fever, or lethargy — see a doctor the same day.
Lactulose
Use: Constipation
Usual timing: Total daily volume, split into 1–2 doses
How to use
- About 1 ml/kg/day (example: 10 kg → 10 ml/day, e.g. 5 ml morning and 5 ml night).
- Offer water and fibre foods. Effect may take 24–48 hours.
Precautions
- A swollen painful belly, vomiting, or blood in stool — do not treat at home.
Vitamin D3
Use: Daily supplement in infancy (and as advised later)
Usual timing: Once daily
How to use
- Routine infant dose is 400 IU daily unless your paediatrician advises otherwise.
- Check whether your bottle is 400 IU per ml or per 0.5 ml.
Precautions
- Do not give extra high-dose sachets unless prescribed.
ORS (oral rehydration solution)
Use: Diarrhoea / vomiting — replace fluid
Usual timing: After each loose stool, in small sips
How to use
- Mix the full packet in 1 litre. Do not boil after mixing. Use within 24 hours.
- Continue breast milk. Do not dilute ORS further or add extra sugar/salt.
Precautions
- No urine for 6–8 hours, very sleepy, sunken eyes, blood in stool, or a baby under 6 months with diarrhoea — clinic the same day.