Ibuprofen overdose

[lovemynathy]

My son 2 has been have a temp 39 since this morning. I gave him what I thought was calpol at 9 am, 1 pm and nurofen at 5pm as he was really struggling. At 8 pm I gave him calpol again. It appeared that at 9 am and 1 pm medicine was calprofen, it just looks exactly as calpol. I am worried he had overdose. He is asleep at the mo. we saw doctor and my LO has tonsilites and I think they are painful as he is strangling after about 3-4 hours after taking medicin. Shall I call doctor again to check if he had an overdose and when I can give him another dose again as I think he will be in pain. Please help me very worried now

[jellybelly18]

I think the only dose that didn't have the 4 hour gap is the 5pm and 8pm one. you cannot give more than 4 doses in 24 hours so he has had his limit. If he is in that much pain I would ring your out of hours / 111 or go to the walk in centre to be honest. Its not worth pain and a sleepless night when you could just him checked out and your mind put at rest

[ClaimedByMe]

I'm a bit confused, does that mean he has had 4 does of ibuprofen today?

[OneTwoOrThree]

What does the calprofen bottle say? Is it doses every 4-6h, and no more than 3 per day? If so, I'd say you're ok.

If you're really worried, call NHS 24, they'll give you good advice...

[jellybelly18]

If 5pm was ibuprofen and 8pm calpol then that's ok sorry

[Iwaswatchingthat]

Am I right in thinking he has had:

9am calprufen
1pm calprufen
5pm nurofen
8pm calpol

If so I think you will be fine.
You left four hours between all the doses of ibuprofen and then gave just paracetamol 3 hours later.

Are you worried about dosage?
I would call NHS direct and explain to put your mind at rest.

[QuintessentialShadows]

So:

9 am Calprofen
1 pm Calprofen
5 pm Nurofen
8 pm Calpol

So, 3 different types of bottles, and you did not really read any of them?
I would advice you read medicine bottles carefully before giving children.

[lovemynathy]

Thanks a million, I know it's a good lesson for me just hope not a bad one for my LO. Calprofen at 8, calprofen at 1 nurofen at 5 and calpol at 8 is correct. Will ask hubby to call nhs24 as my lo is sleeping on me at the mo and wakes up if I talk or put him down. Omg what stupid mistakes I do sometimes and make probs for myself. It worries me as he didn't wee much since 5 and the temp is still high, the doc said it would be difficult two days as it has just started. Thank you all for replying

[mylovelymonster]

Can you recall what volume you gave him each time? That can help you work out how much of the active drug he has had - Calpol/ibuprofen can be different doses, or they can be very similar (just looked at my junior Neurofen and Calpol - similar volume around 24 months). If you can calculate how many mgs he's had, you can check that with the out of hours, along with his weight (mgs/kg) and they can tell you the limits (I did know this but can't put my hand to it right now - sorry).
The recommendation of max mg/kg of ibuprofen is higher than the suggested dose on the box, so more likely than not you are still in the safe zone. Check it out with out of hours to put your mind at rest.
Hope he's better soon. Do you think he may need antibiotics?

[ilovepowerhoop]

if there were 4 hours between doses then i am sure he won't have overdosed. nurofen and calprofen have different dose guides even though they are the same strength too - how much did you give?

[lovemynathy]

All of them were one 5 mg spoon (their standard measure spoon) at a time. Cannot check the box now as cannot get up, but it was standard message on them 4 times in 24 hours. He had this problem before and the doc told us to take nurofen and calpol together, I was giving it like calpol and then nurofen in about 3 hours. I thought to do it like that this time until i realised i was giving calprofen instead of calpol. Sorry for mistakes a bit tricky to type. The doc gave us antibiotics but said to wait tillmorrow as it might settle or get worse.... So confused now. And my hubby at work......

[QuintessentialShadows]

Our nurofen bottle says 2.5 ml....

[LoveSewingBee]

It is fine, but don't give more calprofen or nurofen, as he is only supposed to have max 3 doses in 24 hours. It is good you know the times you are giving medication, so I suppose you are recording that. Maybe put stickers on the bottles to prevent future mistakes. calprofen and nurofen both contain ibuprofen.

Generally, if you had given one dose too much of nurofen it would not be an emergency (unless very young child) but an overdose of paracetamol can cause acute liver failure and can therefore be an emergency. So it is very important to correctly measure and record what you give.

Hope he gets better soon.

[QuintessentialShadows]

Calpol website says:

Infants 6–24 months

5ml

Up to 4 times in 24 hours

www.calpol.co.uk/our-products/calpol-infant-suspension

So 5ml Calpol is ok

For Calprofen it says
Children 1–2 years
2.5ml
3–4 times a day

www.calpol.co.uk/our-products/calprofen-ibuprofen-suspension

[ilovepowerhoop]

the childrens nurofen website says 5ml for children age 1-3 with a maximum of 3 doses in 24 hours whereas calprofen says for children age 1-2 it is 2.5mls 3-4 times per 24 hours even though they are the same strength.

[mylovelymonster]

So, Calprofen is 100mg/5mls dose, Nurofen is the same. Max paediatric daily dose (in 24hr period) is 40mg/kg.
Your poorly boy has had 300mg today, so to be within the daily limit, he would need to weigh more than 7.5kg, and looking at my growth charts, he's likely to be well over that weight?

[ilovepowerhoop]

www.nurofenforchildren.co.uk/yourchildhealth/right-amount-of-medicine.php - says 5mls for age 1-3 for childrens nurofen (same strength as calprofen)

[mylovelymonster]

It should say on your bottle/box 100mg/5ml oral suspension for both Calprofen and nurofen meds, for children over 3months old?

[mylovelymonster]

I truly do not think you have anything to worry about, but please do write down what you give and when, and double check your bottles/dose each time.
I know what it's like when you are tired and worried xx

[mylovelymonster]

The usual recommended dose for ibuprofen is 10mg/kg of child's weight each 6-8hrs (so 3-4 times in 24hr period, or max of 40mg/kg per 24hrs)

The over-the-counter medicines may only guide for a max of 30mg/kg in 24hrs so their dose regimen is cautious, and there is a tolerance a little beyond that, which should not be used unless advised by a doctor, however if happens accidentally yet still falls within guidance then don't panic.

The important thing is fluids - get him to drink water to keep hydrated.

Please don't anyone else use this info to medicate your child - follow guidance on your meds/from your doctor - just wanted to reassure OP.

[lovemynathy]

Thank you very much all for help. I spoken to the health advisor, nurse and the doctor. We are within limits and it should be ok, thanks God.