CHILDREN’S
MEDICINES CHART
Keep a record of the time and dose of medicine given to a baby or child for pain or fever
Name of child:
Each time you are about to give any medicine (including over-the-counter medicines) to a baby or
child, making sure you:
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Know the active ingredient in the medicine you are giving
Read the important information on the packaging
Give the right dose for their weight
Record the amount given
This booklet contains information on managing pain and fever in children. It contains a medicines
chart for you to record medicine given to a child.
Treating pain
Pain is an unpleasant feeling that can range from a sharp stabbing sensation or a dull ache. The
intensity can range from mild to extreme discomfort.
Pain can be described according to its location in the body, such as a toothache or earache or it
can be more widespread, for example the aches and pains associated with a cold or flu.
It can be difficult to assess whether a child is in pain and the intensity of their pain, particularly in
babies. Listening to the noises they make, what they say and watching what they do can help.
When a child is in pain they tend to show one or more of the following signs:
 Pulling faces
 Crying or screaming
 Changes in their sleep or eating patterns
 Becoming quiet or withdrawn
 Refusing to move
To help work out how much pain a child is in, use the faces below. If the child is old enough to
speak, ask them to point to the face which reflects how much pain they feel. The face on the left
shows ‘no pain’ and the face on the right shows ‘very much pain’. If is not possible to ask the child,
you can estimate their pain levels by matching the faces below with their expression.
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No pain
Very much pain
Not all types of pain and fever require a medicine. Depending on the type and severity of pain, it
may be useful to try other pain relieving measures before reaching for the medicine bottle. Some
examples may include:
 Heat or cold packs (such as a warm water bottle, heat pack or cool cloth)
 Ice
 Massage
 Distraction
 Controlled breathing
Treating fever
Average body temperature is 37oC, but it fluctuates a little depending the time of day or level of
activity. Fever is described as a high temperature (above 38oC) for more than 24 hours.
Fever is a natural reaction to fight infection and it will return to normal once the infection or other
cause has gone. Mild fevers are not dangerous and not all fevers need to be treated with
medicine.
A child with a fever will often have a hot flushed face and their forehead may also feel hot. If you
think a child has a fever, check first by measuring their temperature with a thermometer under the
arm, tucked in the armpit. Taking their temperature from their ear or mouth is not very accurate
and is not recommended.
If a high temperature is confirmed try the following:
 Dress the child lightly
 Give them plenty to drink
 Let them rest
If their temperature is greater than 38.5oC AND they are uncomfortable or irritable it may be
necessary to give the child a medicine.
[Breakout box]
If a child younger than 3 months has a fever, see a doctor for advice.
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Over-the-counter medicines for pain and fever
Medicines that treat pain and fever work by temporarily making it go away but they do not treat the
cause.
There are two main types of pain medicines, each containing a different active ingredient. The
active ingredient is what makes the medicines work. The two active ingredients in pain medicines
for children are paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Paracetamol is widely used and safe when used for a short period of time at the recommended
dose for children aged over 1 month. It is usually the preferred medicine for treating pain and fever
in the first instance. Paracetamol is the active ingredient used in Panadol, Chemist’s Own and
Dymadon.
Do not give paracetamol and other paracetamol medicines at the same time as you may
give more than the recommended dose.
Ibuprofen is another option for treating pain and fever for children over the age of 3 months. This
medicine should be given with caution to children with asthma. Ibuprofen is the active ingredient
used in Nurofen, Chemists own and Dimetapp.
It is not recommended that paracetamol and ibuprofen are alternated, interchanged or
given together.
[Breakout box]
Aspirin is another active ingredient for adults to manage pain, but it should never be given to a
child under 16 years unless advised by a doctori
Choosing an over-the-counter medicine
There is important information on medicine packaging which must be read every time you buy and
before you give a medicine to a child.
Dosing instructions
Storage instructions
Active ingredient
Preparation
Strength
[Note: Not final art work, place holder only]
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Active ingredient. Know the active ingredient(s) in medicine, to make sure you are not
accidently doubling up. Taking too much of the same active ingredient can be dangerous,
resulting in liver damage or damage to the stomach and kidneys.
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Strength. Pain medicines are available with different amounts of the active ingredient. The
dose or amount you need to give the child will vary depending on their weight. Never use adult
strength medicines for children
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Preparation. Children’s medicines come in different forms, such as liquids, soluble or
chewable tablets, and suppositories.
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Other medical conditions, medicines or allergies. If the child has other medical conditions,
uses other medicines (over the counter or prescription) or has an allergy to any medicines, talk
to your pharmacist or doctor. They will be able to help you select a medicine that is right for the
child.
[Breakout box]
If you are unsure which medicine to choose, speak to your pharmacist for advice.
Calculating the dose
The right dose of a medicine is important for safety. Never guess the amount or give more than
the recommended dose, as giving too much can be dangerous.
The dose or amount of medicine that a child needs to relieve pain or fever depends on their weight
and not their age. Knowing the weight of the child is crucial for calculating the correct dose of
medicine.
To weigh a child accurately, you will need a set of scales, ideally digital scales that measure in
kilograms, placed on a hard surface.
Easy way to weigh a child
1. Weigh yourself and note down you weight
2. Hold the child in your arms and stand on the scales. Note down your combined weight.
3. Subtract the first weight from the second to get the child’s weight.
[Breakout box]
Keep a note of the child’s weight (and the date) on the medicine chart provided.
Medicines for pain and fever come in different strengths, even those of the same brand. The
stronger and more concentrated the medicine the less you will need to give. Even if you have
given pain medicine to a child many times before; check the dosing instructions on the packaging
carefully.
Use the weight of the child and the dosing instructions on the medicines packaging to calculate
how much to give.
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Measuring the right dose
Giving the right dose of a medicine is important for a child’s safety. Because young children’s
bodies are small, even small errors, using more or less than the recommended dose, may harm
them.
Use a device that can measure the dose of liquid medicines
accurately, like an oral syringe. Don’t use kitchen spoons. If the
medicine doesn’t come with an oral syringe, or you don’t have one at
home, ask for one at the pharmacy or use the device enclosed with
the medicine.
Syringes come in different sizes, so before you start, check the markings to make sure it can
measure the right dose.
There are five steps for measuring liquid medicine, using an oral syringe:
[Add in illustrations of each step outlined below]
1. Shake the bottle
2. Insert the syringe into the bottle
3. Draw up the liquid by pulling the plunger towards you, until the bottom of the rubber stopper
reaches the right quantity [add in close up picture of the medicine being at the bottom of the
rubber stopper]
4. Check the dose before giving it to the child
5. Place the syringe in the side of the child’s cheek and push the plunger until all of the liquid had
gone
[Note: Not final art work, place holder only]
[Breakout box]
If you think a child has had a more than the recommended dose of a medicine phone your doctor
or the Poison’s Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and
Emergency at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning,
as urgent medical attention may be required.
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Keeping a medicine chart
Once the child has taken the medicine, keep a record of the time and dose of medicine given on a
MEDICINES CHART.
Fill out this chart each time the baby or child is given a medicine – to keep track and make sure
they have taken a safe amount.
If more than one person is giving medicines to the child, make sure each person records it on the
chart, to avoid confusion.
Important information to record on the medicines chart, each time any medicine is given to a child:
 Date and time given
 The name of the medicine’s active ingredient
 The exact dose given
 Who the medicine was given by
 The reason why the medicine was given.
Keep this chart near where you keep the medicine, so you can record it as soon as it is given.
[Breakout box]
Do not give pain medicine for more than 48 hours unless advised by a doctor.
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Medicine Chart
Use this chart to keep a track of the medicines given to this child.
Keep this chart near where you keep the medicine, so you can record it as soon as it is given.
Date Time Weight Brand and strength of
medicine
Active ingredient
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Dose
Reason for giving medicine
Given by
(initials)
When to visit the doctor
Treating pain and fever with over-the-counter medicines do not treat the cause of pain or infection.
Take a child to see the doctor if they show some of the following signs:
 looks very sick
 is in persistent pain
 has moderate or severe pain
 has a temperature over 40oC
 has fever for more than 48 hours
 is less than 6 months old
 has difficulty breathing
 has a fit or convulsion
 has a stiff neck
 is unusually sleepy
 is vomiting and won’t drink
 has a rash
If a child needs to see the doctor for further advice, bring the medicines chart along so you can
show the doctor what medicine the child has been taking.
Further information
For further information about managing pain and medicines:
 Visit the NPS website: www.nps.org.au.managingpain
 Call Medicines Line to speak with a health professional on 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424).
Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm. Calls will initially be answered by healthdirect Australia
 Call Poison’s Information Centre for advice (telephone 13 11 26) if you think a child has had
more than the recommended dose of a medicine. Do this even if there are no signs of
discomfort or poisoning, as urgent medical attention may be required.
About NPS: Better choices, Better health
This resource has been developed by NPS: Better choices, Better health an evidence-based
independent organisation.
NPS promotes the quality use of medicines and medical tests to the general public. The quality
use of medicines can mean using more or less of a medicine or none at all. It can include
prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, herbal and natural medicines.
Disclaimer: NPS takes reasonable care to ensure this information is accurate and up-to-date at
the time of creation. It is for your information only and is not medical advice. NPS does not warrant
its completeness and excludes liability where permitted by law. We recommend you seek advice
from a health professional about your medical condition.
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