Children aren’t small adults — their dose depends on body weight. Here’s how weight-based dosing works.
Dose follows weight, not age
Paediatric Artemether + Lumefantrine (20mg/120mg) is dosed by body weight bands. Your pharmacist will match your child’s weight to the correct number of tablets per dose. Never guess, and never split an adult tablet to approximate a child’s dose.
The same 3-day rule applies
Children also take doses over 3 days: a first dose, another 8 hours later, then morning and evening for two more days. Children often seem ‘fine’ by day two — finish the course anyway. That is what fully clears the infection.
Giving the dose
Tablets can be crushed and mixed with a little food or milk if your child struggles to swallow. If your child vomits within an hour, repeat the dose. If vomiting continues, see a health worker the same day.
When to seek urgent care
Go to a clinic immediately if your child cannot drink or breastfeed, vomits repeatedly, has convulsions, or becomes unusually sleepy or unconscious. These are signs of severe malaria — it is a medical emergency.