The Must-Know List of Common South African Pediatric Medicine Dosages

Hello, People Who Care for Children

As a follow-up to my blog post on essential medicines to have in your first aid box, I made a master list of the most common South African pediatric medicine dosages in easy-to-read tables.

This list could be helpful when you’re in a rush or you don’t have signal, so print it out and put it in your medicine box for a time of need.

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Looking For Something Specific?

Click a category below to jump straight to the dosage you need.

💊 Pain & Fever Medicines

Panado / Calpol

Empaped Suppositories

Ponac / Ponstel / Ponstan

Nurofen

Mybulen / Myprodol

Stilpayne / Stopayne

Lotem / Ibumol

Alternating Pain & Fever Medicines

🤧 Cold & Flu Medicines

Prospan

Allergex / Allecet / Acuzyrt

🤢 Tummy Troubles

Buscopan / Hyospasmol

Valoid Syrup & Suppositories

Medazine

Pectrolyte

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Medicine For Pain and Fever

Panado/Calpol Dosage for a Baby/Child

Panado and Calpol are used to treat pain and fever.

Other brand names: Antalgic SF, Pyngesic S, Painogesic Syrup, Feverpain, Painmol Syrup, Pyralen Syrup, Entalgic Syrup

Age	Dose	How Often
< 2 months	Doctor recommended*	Doctor recommended*
2 – 3 months	2.5ml	4 – 6 hourly
3 - 6 months	2.5ml	6 hourly (4x daily)
6 – 24 months	5ml	6 hourly (4x daily)
2 – 4 years	7.5ml	6 hourly (4x daily)
4 – 8 years	10ml	6 hourly (4x daily)
8 – 10 years	15ml	6 hourly (4x daily)
10 – 12 years	20ml	6 hourly (4x daily)

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Empaped Suppository Dosage for a Baby/Child

Empaped suppositories are used for the treatment of pain and fever.

Other brand names: Pyracet

Age	Dose	How often
2 – 12 months	125mg suppository	6 hourly (4x daily)
>  1 year	250mg suppository	6 hourly (4x daily)

Remember, these suppositories are the same as Panadol/Calpol, so they cannot be given within 8 hours of administering that.

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Ponac/Ponstel/Ponstan (Mefenamic Acid) Dosage for a Baby/Child

Ponstel or Ponstan is used to treat pain and fever.

Other brand names: Ponstel S, Adco-Mefenamic Acid, Fenamin Suspension, Ponac Suspension

Age	Dosage	How often
6 – 24 months	5ml	8 hourly (3x daily)
2 - 4 years	10ml	8 hourly (3x daily)
4 – 8 years	15ml	8 hourly (3x daily)
8 – 12 years	20ml	8 hourly (3x daily)

 * Must be taken with a meal

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📍 Want more information on Ponac? See our in-depth guide on how to give Ponac, safety, and Ponac dosing for babies and adults. 

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Pontsan Suppository Dosage for a Baby/Child

Ponstan suppository is used to treat pain and fever, and cannot be given with Mefenamic Acid syrup as it is the same (see how to alternate pain medications here)

Age	Dosage	How often
> 2 years old	125mg suppository	8 hourly (3x daily)

 * Must be taken with a meal

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Nurofen Dosage for a Baby/Child

Neurofen syrup is used to treat pain and fever.

Other brand names: Brufen for Children, Ibugesic Fever and Pain, Ibucine Paediatric Suspension, Inflamax Paediatric Suspension, Nurofen for Children Sugar-Free, Ibugesic Oral Suspension

Age	Dosage	How often
3 – 12 months	2.5ml	8 hourly (3x daily)
1 – 4 years	5ml	8 hourly (3x daily)
4 – 6 years	7.5ml	8 hourly (3x daily)
6 – 9 years	10ml	8 hourly (3x daily)
9 – 12 years	15ml	8 hourly (3x daily)

 * Must be taken with a meal

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Myprodol/Mybulen Syrup Dosage for a Baby/Child

Myprodol/Mybulen syrup is used for extreme pain and fever.

Other brand names: Mybulen Suspension

Age	Dosage	How often
< 3 years	Not established for use*	Not established for use*
3 – 6 years	2.5 – 5ml	8 hourly (3x daily)
6 – 12 years	5 – 10 ml	8 hourly (3x daily)
> 12 years	20ml	8 hourly (3x daily)

 * Must be taken with meals

Can Adults Use Mybulen Suspension?

Yes, adults can use Mybulen suspension, but only at the correct dose. Mybulen is a combination of ibuprofen, paracetamol, and codeine, and while it’s sometimes prescribed for children over 3 years, it’s also used in adults for stronger pain relief. The adult dose is usually higher, 20 ml every 8 hours with food, but because it contains codeine, it can cause drowsiness and constipation, and it may interact with other medicines. Adults should never exceed the recommended amount or combine it with other paracetamol- or ibuprofen-containing products.

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Stilpayne/Stopayne Syrup Dosage for a Baby/Child

Stilpayne syrup is used for severe pain and fever.

Other brand names: Lentogesic Syrup, Stopayne Syrup, Salterpyn Syrup, Adco-Kiddipayne, Infapain Forte, Painagon, Medipyn, Pynmed Pain And Fever Syrup, AstraPain Syrup, Goldgesic Syrup, Ban Pain A/F, Stilpane, Megapyn, Dynapayne Syrup

Age	Dosage	How often
< 2 years	Not established for use
2 – 5 years	5ml	8 hourly (3x daily)
6 – 12 years	5 – 10ml	8 hourly (3x daily)

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Lotem/Ibumol Syrup Dosage for a Baby/Child

Lotem is used for extreme pain and fever management

Other brand names: Ibumol Grape, Lotem Suspension

Age	Dosage	How often
< 2 years	Not established for use
2 – 5 years	2.5 – 5ml	6 – 8 hourly (3-4 x daily)
6 – 12 years	5 – 10ml	6 – 8 hourly (3-4 x daily)

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How to Alternate Common South African Pediatric Pain and Fever Medicine (With Dosages)

Knowing how to alternate pain medications in children can be tricky. A lot of common medications are combinations of two or three types of pain medications, and we don’t want to risk overdoing our little ones on medication.

I have listed the main brand names in this table. If you have a generic product, please check the corresponding section to determine which group it falls under.

You can alternate group 1 and group 2 every 4 hours, which is nice for a fever that comes back after just a few hours.

Group 3 must be given on its own (either 8 hours before or after either group 1 or 2). This is because medications in group 3 either have Paracetamol, an anti-inflammatory, or both in them, and this would mean that giving it sooner than 8 hours would overdose your child on whatever particular medication you had already given.

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📍 Want to learn about the 5 biggest fever myths South African parents believe? Have a look at our post here.

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Medicine Groups for Safely Alternating Pain and Fever Treatment in Children

Group 1 (Paracetamol)	Group 2 (Anti-inflammatory)	Group 3 (Combinations)
Panado/Calpol (see other brand names)	Nurofen (see other brand names)	Stilpayne/Stopayne (see other brand names)
Empaped (see other brand names)	Ponsten/Ponstel/Ponac Syrup (see other brand names)	Myprodol/Mybulin (see other brand names)
	Ponstan suppositories (see other brand names)	Lotem (see other brand names)
	Voltaren/Panamore Suppositories or drops (see other brand names)

Rules for Alternating Common Pain and Fever Medications

1.

Only give one medicine from the same group every 8 hours.

2.

You can alternate Group 1 and Group 2 medicines every 4 hours.

3.

Don't give any medicine from Group 3 within 8 hours of Group 1 or 2.

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Medicine For Colds, Flu, and Coughing

Prospan Dosage for a Baby/Child

Prospan syrup is used to treat both dry and wet coughs.

Age	Dosage	How often
0 – 6 years	2.5ml	8 hourly (x3 daily)
6 – 12 years	5ml	8 hourly (x3 daily)
>12 years	5 – 7.5ml	8 hourly (x3 daily)

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Allergex/Acuzyrt/Allecet Syrup Dosage for a Baby/Child (2–12 years)

Allergex syrup can be used for skin and seasonal allergies.

Other brand names: Allecet Syrup, Texa Allergy Syrup, Ceticit Syrup, Allecet Syrup, Acuzyrt Syrup, Zetop Syrup, Zelary Syrup

Age	Dosage	How often
< 2 years	Contraindicated (may not be given)
2 – 6 years	2.5 ml	12 hourly (2x daily)
6 – 12 years	5ml	12 hourly (2x daily)

Why Allegex/Allecet/Acuzyrt Syrups Are Not Safe for Babies Under 2 Years

Allegex and Allecet syrups should never be given to babies under 2 years old. These antihistamines can make little ones excessively drowsy, interfere with breathing, and, in rare cases, cause serious side effects because their bodies aren’t ready to process the medication safely.

For young babies, allergies and sniffles should always be assessed by a healthcare professional instead of reaching for over-the-counter syrups. After 2 years, these medicines may be used at the correct dose — but only under guidance.

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📍 The biggest issue with colds and flu is the risk of dehydration. Little ones dehydrate so quickly. To learn about dehydration and how to manage it at home, have a look here.

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Medicine For Tummy Troubles

Buscopan/Hyospasmol Syrup Dosage for a Baby/Child

Buscopan is used for stomach cramping.

Other brand names: Scopex, Hyospasmol

Age	Dosage	How often
< 1 month	Not recommended*	Not recommended*
1 – 3 months	2.5ml	8 hourly (x3 daily)
3 – 12 months	2.5 – 5ml	8 hourly (x3 daily)
1- 3 years	5 – 10ml	8 hourly (x3 daily)
3 – 6 years	10ml	8 hourly (x3 daily)
6 – 12 years	10 – 20ml	8 hourly (x3 daily)

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Valoid Syrup Dosage for a Baby/Child

Valoid syrup helps to treat nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness.

Other brand names: Adco-Cyclizine Syrup, Nauzine S, Medazine S, Cycloid Syrup, Triazine Pead Syrup, Aculoid Syrup

Age	Dosage	How often
< 2 years	Not established for use
2 – 5 years	5ml	8 hourly (x3 daily)
6 – 12 years	10ml	8 hourly (x3 daily)

Valoid Suppository Dosage for a Baby/Child

Valoid suppositories are for treating nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness.

Other brand names: Triazine 50mg Suppositories, Valoid Children's Suppositories, Valoid AS

Age	Dosage	How often
< 6 years	Not established for use
6 – 12 years	50mg suppository	8 hourly (3x daily)
>12 years	100mg suppository	8 hourly (3x daily)

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📍 Learn when and how to give Valoid for nausea and vomiting in children with our complete dosage and safety guide. 

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Medazine Syrup for Nausea and Motion Sickness

Age	Dosage	How often
< 2 years	Not established for use
2 – 5 years	5ml	8 hourly (x3 daily)
6 – 12 years	10ml	8 hourly (x3 daily)

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Pectrolyte Dosage for a Baby/Child

Pectrolyte is used to treat mild to moderate diarrhea in adults and children.

Age	Dosage	How often
< 3 years	Not established for use
3 – 6 years	5 – 10ml	4 hourly (6x daily)
6 – 12 years	10 – 20 ml	4 hourly (6x daily)

Ensure your child is drinking plenty of water with Pectrolyte syrup.

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📍 See our guide on Pectrolyte for diarrhoea, including safe dosages for babies, toddlers, and adults in South Africa.

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So there you have it! I think I'm quickly going to print myself one of these.

Let us know in the comments what else you'd like to see.

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