Pain relief medicine for children – paracetamol and ibuprofen

Information on pain relief for children with paracetamol and ibuprofen.

• If your child is in pain from an illness or injury, you may want to give them medicine to help.
• Paracetamol and ibuprofen are two of the most common pain-relief medicines.
• Pain-relief medicines do not treat the cause of your child's pain, but they should make them more comfortable.
• Follow the instructions on the medicine package and give your child the right dose according to their weight.
• Take your child to see their doctor or health professional if they need pain-relief medicine for more than 48 hours.
• Store all medicines safely so children cannot access them.
• If you think your child has had too much medicine, call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia) or take them to the nearest hospital emergency department.
• Call an ambulance (000) immediately if your child stops breathing, loses consciousness or starts having seizures.