Other Options Include
Calpol
Containing paracetamol as its primary ingredient, Calpol is an oral suspension that comes in different strengths and can be used for children of varying ages to help relieve the pain and fever experienced in multiple conditions. It helps to reduce temperature, manage headaches and alleviates pain helping your child combat illness.
What can calpol be used for
As calpol contains paracetamol this medication can be used to relieve symptoms of pain and help reduce temperature and manage fevers. High temperatures are often experienced by children during the cold and flu seasons as well as opportunistic viral infections. Calpol is great for children who are teething, it also helps with headaches, earaches, toothaches, sore throats and other generalized aches and pains.
Although paracetamol is generally considered a safe medicine It is imperative that you do not exceed the recommended dosages.No other paracetamol-containing product should be given alongside this medicine, should this occur please seek emergency medical attention.
Dosages
Calpol comes in 2 strengths, infant calpol (120mg/5ml) can be used from 2months to 6 years whilst calpol 6+ (250mg/5ml) can be used from 6years +
Firstly the 2+ infant calpol contains paracetamol 120mg/5ml and dosage is as follows:
| Child's Age | How Much |
|---|---|
| 2-3 months (post vaccination fever) | 2.5ml - if necessary, after 4-6 hours, give a second 2.5ml dose. |
Children aged 3 months - 6 years:
| Child's Age | How Much | How much How often (in 24 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-6 months | 2.5ml | Up to 4 times |
| 6-24 months | 5ml | Up to 4 times |
| 2-4 years | 7.5ml (5ml + 2.5ml) | Up to 4 times |
| 4-6 years | 10ml (5ml + 5ml) | Up to 4 times |
Secondly the 6 plus calpol contains parcametlol 250mg/5ml and dosage is as follows:
| Child's Age | How Much | How much How often (in 24 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 years | Not Recommended | N/A |
| 6 – 8 years | 5ml | 4 times |
| 8-10 years | 7.5ml (5ml + 2.5ml) | 4 times |
| 10-12 years | 10ml (5ml + 5ml) | 4 times |
- This medication is not suitable for children under 4kg or who are born premature ( 37 weeks or earlier)
- Do not give this to babies under 2 months
- Leave at least 4 hours between doses
- Do not administer this medication more than 4 times per 24 hours
- Do not give this medication to your child for more than 3 days without consulting your primary health care provider to ensure any other potential underlying causes are addressed.
Please read the patient information leaflet carefully before administering any medication, if unsure consult your healthcare provider.
