Word problem

Question

15 ml of Tylenol3 to be given every 4 – 6 hours. Your research indicates that
there are 12 mg codeine per 5 ml of liquid and that the safe dosage is between
0.5 and 1 mg/kg/dose every 4 – 6 hours. Is this prescription safe for your child?
If not, what would the maximum safe dosage be every 4 - 6 hours?

Answer 1

In a 15 ml dose of Tylenol3, there are 36 mg of codeine

 

If the safe dosage is 0.5-1.0 mg /kg child's weight every 4-6 hours then,

36/1 = 36 kg

36/.5 = 72 kg

 

This is safe dosage for a child between 36 and 72 kg

 

Since 36 kg is about 79 lbs and 72 kg is about 158 lbs, it is likely that this dosage is too much for a child.