Calculate weight-based medication dosages for common drugs. Covers paediatric and adult dosing for pain relief, antibiotics, antimalarials, and more.
Correct medication dosing is critical for treatment effectiveness and safety. Under-dosing can lead to treatment failure (especially with antibiotics, contributing to antimicrobial resistance), while overdosing can cause serious side effects or toxicity. This is particularly important in Africa where access to healthcare professionals may be limited in rural areas.
Weight-based dosing (mg per kg of body weight) is the standard approach for most medications, especially in paediatrics. Children are NOT simply "small adults" — their metabolism, organ function, and drug clearance differ significantly from adults. A child's dose should always be calculated based on their actual weight, not estimated or guessed.
In many African countries, over-the-counter medications are widely available from pharmacies and patent medicine stores. Common drugs like paracetamol, ibuprofen, antimalarials (Coartem/ACTs), and antibiotics are frequently self-administered. While self-medication is sometimes necessary due to healthcare access limitations, knowing the correct dosage is crucial for safety.
This calculator provides general dosing guidelines based on widely accepted medical references. However, individual factors like kidney function, liver disease, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and drug interactions can significantly alter the appropriate dose. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider when possible, and always complete the full course of antibiotics even if you feel better.
It depends on the medication. Some adult formulations (like paracetamol and ibuprofen) can be given to children at weight-appropriate doses, but the tablet strengths are usually too high. Use paediatric formulations (syrups/suspensions) for children. NEVER give aspirin to children under 16 (risk of Reye's syndrome). Some antibiotics also have different paediatric formulations.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one. For antibiotics, try to maintain regular intervals. If you miss multiple doses, contact your healthcare provider for guidance on whether to restart or continue the course.