Contraindications Severe liver disease; known hypersensitivity to paracetamol or excipients
Allergy Notes Common allergens: lactose, sucrose, maltodextrin. Check patient history.
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2. Contraindication and Allergy Assessment
History of Liver Disease?
- Yes → Avoid; consider alternative analgesic (e.g., ibuprofen if not contraindicated).
- No → Proceed.
Known Allergies to Any Excipient in Product?
- If patient reports allergy to lactose, sucrose, or maltodextrin → Consider using an alternative formulation that is free of these excipients (e.g., a non‑lactose, sugar‑free version).
Pregnancy / Lactation Status?
- Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are generally avoided in the third trimester; if patient is pregnant/lactating, consider acetaminophen instead.
Other Chronic Conditions (e.g., renal disease, liver disease)?
- Evaluate risk; if chronic kidney disease or hepatic impairment exists, limit NSAID use.
If all safety checks pass, proceed with prescribing the appropriate ibuprofen dosage.
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3. Ibuprofen Dosage for a 40‑kg Child
Dose Frequency Total Daily Dose (g) Max Daily Dose (per guidelines)
10 mg/kg every 6–8 h 0.4 g per dose → 1.2 g/day ≤ 400 mg/kg/day (≈ 16 g for a 40‑kg child)
The recommended therapeutic dose is 10 mg/kg, taken every 6–8 hours.
For a 40‑kg child, that equals 0.4 g per dose, giving a daily total of ~1.2 g.
This is well below the maximum safe daily limit (≈ 16 g for this weight).
Thus, prescribing 10 mg/kg (0.4 g/dose) every 6–8 h is both clinically effective and safely within the established maximum dose limits.
- Convert to grams if you’re using tablets that come in g units.
Sum up the daily dose
- Multiply the per‑****istration dose by the number of times it is taken each day.
Compare with the maximum daily limit
- If Daily Dose ≤ Max Daily Dose → Safe.
- If Daily Dose > Max Daily Dose → Adjust mg/kg target or dosing interval to stay within limits.
Verify no overlap
- Ensure that any other medications or formulations of the same drug do not add to the total dose beyond the maximum.
Check for special considerations
- Renal or hepatic impairment may lower the permissible dose.
- Pediatric dosing often requires weight-based calculations; use appropriate age‑specific reference tables.
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Quick Reference Cheat‑Sheet
Drug Max Daily Dose (Adults) Weight‑Based Adjustment
Drug A 600 mg 10 mg/kg/day up to 600 mg
Drug B 800 mg 8 mg/kg/day up to 800 mg
Drug C 500 mg 5 mg/kg/day up to 500 mg
> If the patient’s weight‑based dose exceeds the absolute max, cap it at the absolute max.
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How to Use This Cheat Sheet
Check Patient Weight
- If patient is under 50 kg: use lower absolute limit (e.g., 200 mg).
Calculate Weight‑Based Dose
- Multiply weight by per‑kg dose.
Compare with Absolute Maximum
- Use the lesser of the two values.
Administer
- Ensure dosage calculations are double‑checked before giving the medication.
Quick Reference Table
Medication Per‑Kg Dose Absolute Max (Adult)
Med A 2 mg/kg 200 mg
Med B 1.5 mg/kg 150 mg
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Remember: Always double‑check calculations, and consider patient-specific factors (renal function, weight changes) when dosing medications. This cheat sheet is meant for quick reference—use it in conjunction with full clinical guidelines.
