Does your little one have a fever? Or is he constantly crying because his body hurts? At such a time, the first thing that comes to your mind as a mother or father is paracetamol, a medicine that we all know. Most of the time, we have this medicine in our homes. However, although this is a very common medicine, there are many things that we need to be more careful about when giving it to a little baby than we think. Let's talk today about the things we definitely need to know when giving Paracetamol liquid (Infant Suspension/Drops) to a baby.
What exactly is Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)?
Simply put, paracetamol is a medicine used to relieve mild to moderate pain and fever . It is known by various names like Panadol, Calpol, Pediapop, etc. It comes in the form of a suspension specially formulated for babies.
But remember, this does not eliminate the cause of the fever. Fever is not a disease, but a symptom of a disease. Paracetamol only temporarily controls the fever and the associated body aches.
The most important things to tell the doctor before giving this medicine to your baby
Before giving your baby paracetamol, you should definitely tell your doctor if your baby has any of the following conditions:
- Liver disease: If the baby has a congenital liver condition. This is very important as the liver plays a major role in removing paracetamol from the body.
- Allergies to paracetamol or other substances: If the baby has had an allergic reaction to paracetamol in the past, or if there are allergies to other medicines, foods, or preservatives.
- Phenylketonuria (PKU): This is a rare, inherited condition. Some paracetamol syrups may contain ingredients that are harmful to these patients. Therefore, it is essential to inform your doctor about this condition.
How exactly do you give this medicine to a baby?
This is the most important part. If the dosage of the medicine is slightly off, the baby may be harmed.
1. Know the exact dose: Never give medicine at will. Always give only the dose prescribed by the doctor. A doctor determines the dose based on the baby's weight.
2. Shake the bottle well: The medicine solution may have settled to the bottom of the bottle. Therefore, always shake the bottle well before use.
3. Use the correct measuring device: Use only the dropper that comes with the paracetamol bottle or the measuring spoon marked in milliliters (ml). Do not use the teaspoons or coffee spoons that you find in your kitchen. Because the sizes of these are different, you may end up giving the wrong dose.
4. Check the concentration of the medicine: There are two types of paracetamol that can be given to babies. 'Infant drops' and 'Children's syrup'. The amount of paracetamol (concentration) in these two is different. So check the label to make sure which type you are using.
5. Give only at the prescribed intervals: If the doctor tells you to give it every 6 hours, stick to that exact time. Don't give it again before then just because the fever hasn't subsided.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to give your baby a dose of medicine, give it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (for example, an hour or two), skip the missed dose and give the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not give a double dose for any reason .
What if you accidentally give too much medicine? (Overdose) - Be sure to know this!
This is what you need to be most concerned about as a parent. Overdose of paracetamol can severely damage a baby's liver.
The important thing is that the baby may not show any symptoms for the first 24 hours after being given too much medicine. So, don't wait until "nothing is wrong with the baby."
If you have even the slightest suspicion that you have accidentally given too much medicine, don't panic and do one of these things immediately :
- Immediately take the baby to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).
- Call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. They will tell you exactly what to do.
It is very important to take the medicine bottle with you to the hospital.
Other things we need to be careful about when giving medicine
- If your baby's fever lasts more than 3 days, or if the pain lasts more than 5 days, be sure to see a doctor again.
- If the pain increases instead of decreasing, or if you develop a new type of pain, see a doctor.
Be careful! Other medicines on the market, especially some cough and cold medicines, may also contain paracetamol. Therefore, read the label carefully on every medicine you give your baby. Giving two medicines containing paracetamol at the same time can easily lead to an overdose.
Side effects that may occur in the baby
Side effects are very rare when the correct dosage is given. However, sometimes things like this can be seen.
| Nature of the side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of liver injury | Pain in the upper right abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, and extreme fatigue. |
| Severe skin reactions | Redness of the skin, blistering, peeling of the skin (even inside the mouth). |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Minor side effects | Headache, nausea, and stomach upset may sometimes occur. If these persist, tell your doctor. |
How do you keep the medicine bottle safe?
- Keep it out of reach of children and pets. This is very important.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and moisture.
- Check the expiration date and discard expired medication.
Paracetamol is a very useful and safe medicine if used correctly. But 'using it correctly' includes everything we've talked about. If you have any further questions, concerns or doubts about this, always ask your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Always give only the dose that is appropriate for the baby's weight and prescribed by the doctor.
- Use only the correct measuring device (dropper/spoon) that comes with the medicine bottle to measure the medicine.
- Always check the label of other cough and cold medicines to see if they contain paracetamol.
- If you accidentally or accidentally give too much medicine, call the ETU or the National Poisons Information Center immediately, without waiting for symptoms to appear.
- Always store the medicine bottle in a safe place out of the reach of children.
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