Name of drug
Paracetamol
Common brands: Panadol®, Disprol®, Calpol®, Medinol®, Alvedon®, Perfalgan®
Common brands: Panadol®, Disprol®, Calpol®, Medinol®, Alvedon®, Perfalgan®
Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?
Paracetamol will help your child to feel less pain.
What is paracetamol available as?
- Tablets: 500 mg
- Capsules: 500 mg
- Dispersible tablets: 120 mg, 500 mg
- Liquid medicine or syrup: 120 mg, 250 mg or 500 mg in 5 mL; sugar-free versions are available
- Suppositories: a range of strengths are available on prescription
When should I give paracetamol?
- If your child needs help with pain day and night for several days, give a dose of paracetamol every 6 hours. This will help to manage the pain safely for a few days without the risk of giving too much paracetamol.
- If your child has pain that comes and goes, give a dose of paracetamol when they first complain of pain. Wait at least 4 hours before giving another dose.
- You must not give your child more than four doses of paracetamol in 24 hours, so you may have to wait up to 6 hours between doses.
- Write down the time that you give each dose, to help you remember.
How much should I give?
- Your doctor will work out the amount of paracetamol (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label if you have been given a prescription.
- If you have bought your medicine over the counter, then please follow the instructions on the bottle carefully. If you are not sure how much to give, then contact your pharmacist or doctor.
It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.
How should I give it?
Tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew the tablet.
Dispersible tablets: Dissolve the tablet in a glass of water or squash. Your child should drink it straight away. Make sure that they drink it all.
You can give the mixture to your child using a spoon or oral syringe.
Liquid medicine or syrup: Measure out the right amount using an oral syringe or medicine spoon. You can get these from your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.
Suppositories: A suppository is a plug of medicine designed to melt at body temperature within the rectum (back passage, or bottom).- Ideally your child should open their bowels (do a poo) before you give rectal medicines.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water before and after giving rectal medicines.
- Your child should be lying on their side or front.
- Hold one buttock gently to one side so that you can see the rectum.
- Unwrap the suppository and hold it with the rounded end close to the rectum.
- Use one finger to push the suppository gently into the rectum. It needs to go in by about 2 cm. You can use lubricating gel to make this more comfortable for your child. You can get this from a pharmacy.
- Your child should try to stay lying on their side for about 15 minutes. This will allow the suppository to spread further inside the bowel and make sure it doesn’t come out.
- Wash your hands again with soap and hot water.
- You can also put on disposable plastic gloves before using suppositories. However, some people find it easier to have bare, clean hands.
If your child empties their bowels (does a poo) within 30 minutes of inserting a suppository, you will need to insert another one.
When should the medicine start working?
Your child should start to feel less pain about 30 minutes after taking paracetamol tablets or liquid medicine. It may take up to an hour for a suppository to work properly.
What if my child is sick (vomits)?
Tablets or liquid medicine
- If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a dose of paracetamol, give them the same dose again.
- If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after taking a dose, you do not need to give them another dose. Wait until the next normal dose.
Suppository
- If your child is sick at any time, you do not need to give them another dose, as the suppository will still work.
What if I forget to give it?
- If your child is in pain, give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
- You must then wait at least 4 hours before giving the next dose.
Never give a double dose of paracetamol.
What if I give too much?
It can be dangerous to give your child too much paracetamol. The effects of an overdose may not be obvious, but they can be serious and need treatment.
- If you think you may have given an extra dose of paracetamol by mistake, wait at least 8 hours before giving any more.
If there is any possibility that your child may have had more than a double dose, or you are not sure, contact your doctor or local NHS services (111 in England and Scotland; 0845 4647 in Wales) or take your child to hospital straight away. Take the medicine container or pack with you, even if it is empty. This will be useful to the doctor. Have the packet with you if you telephone for advice.
Are there any possible side-effects?
- Paracetamol rarely causes side-effects when given at the correct dosage.
- Amounts of paracetamol can cause permanent damage to the liver. It is therefore important that you follow the dosage instructions provided by your doctor.
There may, sometimes, be other side-effects that are not listed above. If you notice anything unusual and are concerned, contact your doctor. You can report any suspected side-effects to a UK safety scheme at http://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.
Can other common medicines be given at the same time as paracetamol?
Many medicines that you can buy for colds or pain contain paracetamol (this information is given on the label). Do not give such medicines to your child if you have given them paracetamol, as you risk giving them too much.
- You can give your child medicines that contain ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.
- Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or complementary medicines
Is there anything else I need to know about this medicine?
- Paracetamol is an everyday drug, but it is potentially dangerous if too much is taken. Be careful to keep it out of the reach of children.
General advice
- If the paracetamol does not seem to be helping your child’s pain, contact your doctor for advice. Do not give extra doses of paracetamol.
- Write down the times that you give paracetamol, to help you remember and to make sure that you do not give too much.
- Make sure that the medicines you have at home have not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.
Where should I keep this medicine?
- Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
- Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
- Keep the medicine in the container it came in.
Who to contact for more information
Your child’s doctor or pharmacist will be able to give you more information about paracetamol and other medicines used to treat pain.
