Never miss your child's medicine again
The friendly app that remembers when your child's medicine is due, reminds you to finish the course, and helps the whole family keep track of who gave what.
7 days free, then £4.99/month · cancel anytime
🇬🇧 UK GDPR compliant · Cancel anytime
Today
Tuesday, 12 May
3 of 4 done today
🔥 12-day streakAmoxicillin (antibiotic)
8:00 AM · given
Children's paracetamol
12:00 PM · due now
Children's ibuprofen
2:00 PM · with food
Finish antibiotics course
Last dose in 2 days
How PillPal helps with children's medicines
Looking after a poorly child means a lot to remember on a tiring day. PillPal quietly keeps it all on track.
The right dose at the right time
A gentle nudge when the next dose is due, so a poorly child never misses one or gets one too soon.
Finish the whole course
Reminders to keep going and finish the antibiotics, even once your little one starts to perk up.
Track who gave what
One place for the whole family, so nothing slips through and nobody double-doses on a busy day.
Children's medicines, day to day
The basics
Children's doses aren't simply a smaller amount of the adult dose. They're worked out from a child's age, and often their weight, so the same medicine has a different dose for a toddler than for a ten-year-old. The single most reliable source is the label and the leaflet for the exact product you have in your hand.
Always use medicines made for children, and never give adult medicines to young children. Read the label to check the age it's suitable for and the amount for your child's age or weight before you give anything.
Give the dose using the syringe, spoon or cup supplied with the medicine, never a kitchen teaspoon. Kitchen spoons vary a lot and can give the wrong dose. Leave the full gap between doses stated on the label, don't exceed the maximum in 24 hours, and never give two medicines with the same ingredient at once, for example two products that both contain paracetamol.
Medicines parents ask about
These are the medicines parents ask about most. This is general information only; always follow the label for your specific product and your child's age or weight, and check with a pharmacist if you're unsure.
| Medicine type | What it broadly does |
|---|---|
| Children's paracetamol | Commonly used for pain and fever. Use the children's product and follow the age or weight dose on the label. Don't give alongside another medicine that also contains paracetamol. |
| Children's ibuprofen | For pain and fever. Give with or after food and follow the age or weight dose on the label. Avoid if a doctor or pharmacist has advised against it, for example for some tummy or breathing conditions. |
| Antibiotics | Give at the times shown and finish the full course, even once your child seems better, unless a doctor tells you to stop. Ask your pharmacist if you miss doses. |
| Aspirin | Never give aspirin to a child under 16 unless a doctor has specifically prescribed it. It's linked to a rare but serious illness in children. |
This is general information, not a dosing chart. Children's doses depend on age and weight, so always follow the label and check with a pharmacist if you're unsure.
Tips that help
Even when you've got the dose right, getting the medicine into a poorly, reluctant child can be the hard part. A few things make it easier and safer.
- Stay calm and matter-of-fact. A relaxed "it's time for your medicine" often works better than a battle. Let an older child have a little say, like sitting up or choosing a drink to have after.
- Use the syringe gently. Aim towards the inside of the cheek rather than the back of the throat, and give it slowly. A drink or favourite food straight after can help with the taste.
- Keep to the timing. Spacing doses evenly through the day makes them more effective and helps you avoid giving one too soon. A simple reminder stops the "did I already give it?" worry.
- Store safely and check dates. Keep all medicines out of sight and reach, ideally in a locked or high cupboard, and check the expiry date. Some children's medicines need to be used within a set time once opened.
⚠️ Know the warning signs
Store all medicines out of children's sight and reach, and never exceed the dose stated on the label. Get urgent help if your child shows signs of serious illness: a rash that doesn't fade when you press a glass against it, a stiff neck, a fit (seizure), difficulty breathing, or being very unwell, drowsy or hard to wake. Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 if your child is seriously ill. If you think a child has swallowed a medicine by mistake, get help straight away and don't wait for symptoms.
Built for life with a condition
Tailored reminders and plain-English guidance for the conditions that need a little more staying on top of.
Diabetes
Medicines, insulin, refills and checks, all kept on track.
See how it helpsHeart health
Statins, blood thinners, checks and refills, on schedule.
See how it helpsBlood pressure
Tablets on time, home readings prompted, reviews remembered.
See how it helpsAsthma
Daily preventer reminders, triggers tracked, reviews on time.
See how it helpsMental wellbeing
Gentle, discreet reminders and calm check-ins.
See how it helpsPregnancy
Supplements, medicines and midwife appointments on track.
See how it helpsHealthy ageing
Several medicines and repeat prescriptions, kept simple.
See how it helpsPillPal supports your routine. It doesn't replace medical advice. Always follow your GP or GP or pharmacist's instructions. For urgent advice call NHS 111; in an emergency call 999.
PillPal
The simple medication reminder & management app that helps you never miss a dose.
Registered address
Office 14, 1564 Stratford Road,Hall Green, Birmingham,
England, B28 9HA