Paracetamol and ibuprofen for kids: doses, timing and safety

Baby & child ·Published 10 October 2026 ·Reviewed 10 October 2026

Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.

General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.

Give your child the dose for their weight from the chart on the pack, measured with the syringe or cup that comes with the medicine. Paracetamol can be given every 4 to 6 hours, with no more than 4 doses in 24 hours. Ibuprofen is for children aged 3 months and older and can be given every 6 to 8 hours, with no more than 3 doses in 24 hours. You can use both if one isn’t enough, but one is usually all your child needs.

If you’re standing in front of the shelf with a feverish toddler on your hip, our pharmacists at Pacific Fair can check the right product and dose with you. Here’s what The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (RCH) and healthdirect advise.

How do I work out my child’s dose?

Children’s doses depend on their weight, so the same age doesn’t always mean the same dose. The RCH fact sheet says to check the right dose for your child’s weight on the medicine package, unless a doctor or pharmacist has told you otherwise.

• Use your child’s current weight. Find it on the dosing chart on the pack and give the matching amount.
• Not sure of their weight? The RCH says you can use the dose for their age instead. If your child is much lighter than most children their age, use the dose for the age group below. If you’re unsure, ask our pharmacist to check it with you.
• Use the measuring device. healthdirect advises always using the syringe or measuring cup that comes with liquid medicines, and asking your pharmacist for one if none is provided. Shake the bottle before you measure.
• Write it down. healthdirect suggests noting the medicine’s name, the time you gave it, the amount and the active ingredient. A phone timer helps too.

Which strength should I buy?

Children’s medicines often come in different strengths for different age groups, and healthdirect’s advice is to always check that the strength suits your child’s age and weight. Because strengths differ, a dose in millilitres for one product may be the wrong dose for another. Read the chart each time you open a new bottle, even when the packaging looks familiar.

Check your other medicines too. Both the RCH and healthdirect warn that other medicines your child takes may also contain paracetamol, and doubling up is easy to do by accident.

How often can I give paracetamol and ibuprofen?

These limits come from the RCH and healthdirect. Always follow the directions on the product you’re using.

Pain relief makes your child more comfortable, but it doesn’t treat the cause of the pain. That’s why the RCH advises taking your child to a doctor if they still need it after 48 hours.

Who shouldn’t have ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen isn’t right for every child. Check with your pharmacist or doctor before giving it if your child:

• is under 3 months old. healthdirect says not to give ibuprofen to babies this young.
• has asthma or a bleeding disorder. healthdirect advises avoiding ibuprofen if your child has asthma, unless your doctor says otherwise, and not giving it to a child with a bleeding disorder.
• has chickenpox. healthdirect is clear that a child with chickenpox shouldn’t have ibuprofen or aspirin.
• is dehydrated from vomiting or diarrhoea. Anti-inflammatory medicines can cause kidney damage in children who are low on fluids, and the Medical Journal of Australia reported on a TGA label warning introduced for this reason.
• has kidney problems. healthdirect lists kidney problems among the risks of ibuprofen.

If your child has gastro, our guide to keeping kids hydrated with gastro explains what to offer and when to worry.

Never give aspirin to a child unless a doctor has prescribed it. The RCH warns against it because of the risk of Reye syndrome.

Should I treat my child’s fever?

Not always. A fever is a temperature of 38°C or more, usually caused by an infection. The RCH says:

• if your child seems well and happy, there’s no need to treat a fever
• medicine is for making your child feel better, not for bringing the number down
• lowering a fever won’t help them recover faster or prevent febrile seizures
• how your child looks and behaves tells you more than checking their temperature again and again

healthdirect agrees there’s no need to give medicine for a fever unless your child is in pain or discomfort. To keep them comfortable, the RCH suggests dressing them in light clothing and offering small drinks often. Skip cold baths and showers, which can make them shiver and feel worse. For babies under 6 months, offer extra breastfeeds or more frequent bottle feeds.

Can I give my child paracetamol and ibuprofen together?

Yes, if your child needs it. The RCH says it’s safe to give paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time, or one and then the other, following the directions on each pack. healthdirect also says you can alternate between the two.

That said, the RCH notes that one medicine is usually enough for everyday pain or an uncomfortable fever. Using both makes it easier to lose track, so:

• write down every dose, with the time
• stick to the maximum number of doses for each medicine in 24 hours
• if you think your child has had too much, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 or go to the nearest emergency department

For grown-ups, our article on taking paracetamol and ibuprofen together covers adult use.

How our pharmacists can help

You don’t need an appointment to ask. Our pharmacists can:

• help you choose the right product and strength for your child’s age and weight
• go through the dosing chart with you and show you how to use an oral syringe
• check your child’s other medicines for doubled-up ingredients
• tell you when it’s time to see a doctor instead

You can browse the children’s medicine range on priceline.com.au, or talk to our pharmacists at Pacific Fair before you buy. If a GP prescribes something, we can fill the script, and most are ready in minutes.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

Talk to a pharmacist if you’re unsure about a dose or a product. See a GP (our in-store Help Medical GPs are one option) if:

• your baby is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38°C or more. healthdirect says to seek urgent medical attention, and the RCH says a baby under 1 month with a fever should go to hospital
• your child needs pain relief for more than 48 hours, or isn’t better after 2 days
• they seem to be getting sicker, or are more and more tired with no bursts of energy
• they’re vomiting and can’t keep down drinks or medicine
• they have a rash. Go to hospital if the rash doesn’t fade when you press on it.
• they have a stiff neck, a constant headache, or light hurts their eyes. Go to hospital.
• they’re having trouble breathing
• you’re worried. You know your child best.

Call 000 in an emergency. Call triple zero if your child is struggling to breathe, looks blue or very pale, can’t be woken, or has a seizure.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.