Paediatric Oral Suspension Volume Calculator (mL per dose)
Converts a weight-based paediatric mg dose into exact mL of oral suspension based on bottle concentration (mg per 5 mL).
⚠️ Educational Calculation & Clinical Safety Safeguard: Double-check suspension concentration (e.g., Paracetamol 120 mg/5 mL vs 250 mg/5 mL DS vs 100 mg/mL drops) to prevent overdose. Educational calculations do not replace clinician assessment, patient-specific laboratory monitoring, or institutional prescribing protocols.
Interactive Calculator
Allowed physiological/compounding range: 1 to 80 kg
Allowed physiological/compounding range: 0.1 to 200 mg/kg/dose
Allowed physiological/compounding range: 1 to 2000 mg / 5 mL
Calculated Output (mL/dose (and mg/dose))
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Step-by-Step Mathematical Derivation & Explanation:
Validated Formula & Conversion Rules
Dose (mg) = Weight (kg) × mg/kg; Volume (mL) = [Dose (mg) / Strength (mg)] × 5 mLWorked Clinical Example
12 kg child prescribed Paracetamol 15 mg/kg using 120 mg/5 mL suspension: Dose = 180 mg; Volume = (180 / 120) × 5 = 7.5 mL.
Rounding Rules, Clinical Interpretation, Assumptions & Known Limitations
- 1. Purpose: Converts a weight-based paediatric mg dose into exact mL of oral suspension based on bottle concentration (mg per 5 mL).
- 2. Required Inputs & Validated Units: Child Body Weight (kg, range 1–80), Prescribed Dose per kg (mg/kg/dose, range 0.1–200), Suspension Strength (per 5 mL) (mg / 5 mL, range 1–2000)
- 3. Output Unit:
mL/dose (and mg/dose) - 4. Result Interpretation Notes: Converts weight-based paediatric mg doses into exact mL volume for standard mg/5 mL oral suspensions.
- 5. Rounding Guidance: Round oral syringe volumes to nearest 0.1 mL (or 0.2 mL above 5 mL).
- 6. Mathematical & Clinical Assumptions: Assumes homogeneous shaking of the oral suspension immediately prior to measurement.
- 7. Known Limitations & Contraindications to Formula Use: Counsel parents to use a calibrated oral syringe (mL) rather than household teaspoons to prevent 2-fold dosing errors.
- 8. Supporting Compendial & Clinical References: Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP 2022), National Formulary of India (NFI), British National Formulary (BNF), and NCBI Bookshelf Clinical Pharmacology Compendia.