Paediatric liquid medicines exist in several strengths, and paracetamol and ibuprofen exist in more than most. A prescription written as a volume - 5 mL of ibuprofen - is correct only for the bottle the prescriber was picturing, and a parent at home is holding whichever bottle the pharmacy sold them.
Write the dose in milligrams per kilogram, the total milligrams, the concentration, and only then the volume. On discharge, write it again on the medicine box in front of the parent, and ask them to say the dose back with the bottle in their hand.
The same discipline covers the maximum. Parents overdose paracetamol far more often by giving it too frequently than by giving too much per dose, so the instruction that matters is the minimum interval and the number of doses in 24 hours, written down rather than said.
- Write mg/kg, total mg, the concentration and the volume - in that order
- State the minimum interval and the maximum number of doses in 24 hours on the label, not only in conversation
- Ask the parent to repeat the dose back while holding the actual bottle before they leave
- Ask about every other paracetamol- or ibuprofen-containing preparation in the house, including combination cough remedies
Read the rest in the app
You have read your two free briefings this month. The app carries all 27 specialties, every morning, free — and this finding is waiting in it.
Scan to keep reading on your phone. No account needed to start.
Tomorrow morning, before your first patient
One edition a day for paediatrics, written by the desk, every claim tied to its paper. Six minutes.
Get the app — free