Adrenaline (Epinephrine) Pediatric Dose Calculator — Anaphylaxis

Weight-based adrenaline dosing for children — 0.01 mg/kg/dose · repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement · max 0.5 mg/dose. Enter age and weight for the dose in mg and injection volume or nebulised dose.

Category: EmergencyAges: Birth – adultUpdated: 2026-09-27For: cliniciansEmergency useHospital use

Pediatric dosing

Anaphylaxis — IM (first line) Emergency

0.01 mg/kg/dose · repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement · max 0.5 mg/dose

Duration: Until improvement; start an infusion (specialist) after 2 IM doses without response · 0.01 mL/kg of 1 mg/mL. Auto-injectors: 0.15 mg (≈7.5–25 kg) or 0.3 mg (≥25 kg).

Mid-anterolateral thigh. Lie the child flat (legs raised) or sitting if breathless; call for help; give oxygen and IV fluids as needed.

Cardiac arrest — IV/IO (PALS) Emergency

0.01 mg/kg/dose · every 3–5 minutes during CPR · max 1 mg/dose

Duration: Until return of spontaneous circulation · 0.1 mL/kg of 0.1 mg/mL (1:10,000). Flush with 5–10 mL saline.

Severe croup — nebulised Hospital

0.4–0.5 mg/kg/dose · once; may repeat after 30 minutes · max 5 mg/dose

Duration: Observe for at least 2–4 hours afterwards (rebound) · 0.5 mL/kg of 1 mg/mL (max 5 mL), undiluted or made up to 4 mL with saline. Give dexamethasone as well.

Adrenaline (epinephrine) dose chart by age and weight

Anaphylaxis — IM (first line). Weights are WHO/IAP reference medians for age — always dose on the measured weight.

Computed with the PediaRx dose engine from the regimen above; caps and age limits applied.
Age	Weight	Dose (mg)	1 mg/mL (1:1000) ampoule — IM, or nebulised	Frequency
15 days	3.8 kg	0.038 mg	0.04 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
1 month	4.3 kg	0.043 mg	0.04 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
3 months	6.1 kg	0.061 mg	0.06 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
6 months	7.6 kg	0.076 mg	0.08 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
9 months	8.6 kg	0.086 mg	0.09 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
1 year	9.3 kg	0.093 mg	0.09 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
18 months	10.6 kg	0.106 mg	0.11 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
2 years	11.8 kg	0.118 mg	0.12 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
3 years	14.1 kg	0.141 mg	0.14 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
4 years	16.2 kg	0.162 mg	0.16 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
5 years	17.5 kg	0.175 mg	0.18 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
6 years	19 kg	0.19 mg	0.19 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
8 years	24.4 kg	0.244 mg	0.24 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
10 years	31.1 kg	0.311 mg	0.31 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement
12 years	39.4 kg	0.394 mg	0.39 mL	Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement

Strengths in the calculator

1 mg/mL (1:1000) ampoule — IM, or nebulised (Intramuscular / Inhalation)
0.1 mg/mL (1:10,000) — IV/IO (or 1 mL of 1 mg/mL + 9 mL saline) (Intravenous / Intraosseous)

Different strength on your bottle? Use “Different strength on the bottle?” under the result.

Safety

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Legacy FDA category C. Life-saving in anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest — never withhold because of pregnancy.

Compatible.

Clinical notes

Check the concentration twice: 1 mg/mL (1:1000) for IM and nebulisation, 0.1 mg/mL (1:10,000) for IV/IO. Never give 1 mg/mL as an IV bolus.

Adult and adolescent (≥40 kg) dose

0.5 mg — Anaphylaxis: 0.5 mg IM, repeat every 5 minutes if needed (cardiac arrest: 1 mg IV/IO every 3–5 minutes) (max 0.5 mg per dose).

Other names and brands

Also known as Epinephrine.

USA: EpiPen
UK: EpiPen, Jext

Brand examples only — products and strengths vary by country. Always check the label.

Frequently asked questions

What is the adrenaline dose for children?

Anaphylaxis — IM (first line): 0.01 mg/kg/dose · repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement · max 0.5 mg/dose. Usual duration: Until improvement; start an infusion (specialist) after 2 IM doses without response. Always use the child's measured weight and check the strength on the bottle.

How many mL of 1 mg/mL (1:1000) ampoule — IM, or nebulised for an 11.8 kg child?

For anaphylaxis — IM (first line), an 11.8 kg child (about 2 years) needs 0.118 mg per dose — 0.12 mL of 1 mg/mL (1:1000) ampoule — IM, or nebulised, repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement. Recalculate with the child's actual weight.

From what age can adrenaline be given?

Age range in PediaRx: Birth – adult. Each indication can have its own age and weight limits, shown with its regimen.

Is adrenaline safe in pregnancy?

Legacy FDA category C. Life-saving in anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest — never withhold because of pregnancy.

Sources and editorial process

World Allergy Organization anaphylaxis guidance 2020 (Cardona et al., WAO J 2020) — World Allergy Organization
Emergency treatment of anaphylaxis: guidelines for healthcare providers (2021) — Resuscitation Council UK
Part 4: Pediatric basic and advanced life support — 2020 AHA guidelines (Topjian et al., Circulation 2020) — American Heart Association
BNF for Children — Adrenaline/epinephrine — NICE / BMJ Group / Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Dosing data last updated 2026-09-27. PediaRx is built and maintained by Dr. Shounak Pal, MBBS (Medical Officer, Government of West Bengal, India — founder and developer of PediaRx). Every regimen is encoded with explicit units, maximum doses and age/weight limits and is checked by automated tests before publication. Report an error: hello@pediarx.com.

Clinical disclaimer: reference tool for qualified health professionals. Verify every dose against current guidance and the product label before prescribing.

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