No Calpol Night or Medised for the under 2's

[mumgoingcrazy]

This is my first time on this board, I'm usually on the SN board so forgive me if this has been done to the death!

I tried to buy some calpol night for my 17 month old today and got refused. Apparently rather than the 3+ months my old bottle was suitable for, it's now over 2 years. I was also told Medised is now for the over 2's as well.

Does anyone know why?

We're just doing normal Calpol and Childrens nurofen now. However, I'm a bit concerned that we have been giving her the calpol night when we shouldn't have.

Thank you!!

[LIZS]

One of the ingredients is not approved over the counter for under 2's

[CharCharGabor]

It was withdrawn due to accidental overdose and inappropriate use last year.

[LeakyDAISYcal]

As far as I'm aware, it was because of fears that children were being given too much of it and ODing on the antihistamine ingredient.

Also some parents were using it regularly to drug their children to sleep.

I bought a bottle shortly before the licensing changed and it said plus3 months on it (DD was six months at the time). I have used it since with her as one offs when she has been really bunged up and unable to sleep. I'm happy that occasional use of it won't do her any harm at all, and I'm sure it's the same for your DD with the calpol night. I assume it's the same active ingredient (antihistamine) as in medised?

[HolidaysQueen]

i think it's because people were using it to sedate their kids instead of using it appropriately and also because both contain paracetamol and lots of parents didn't realise that they did so were double dosing on calpol and medised and effectively overdosing their kids on paracetamol.

[mumgoingcrazy]

Thank you for your responses. We saw a dr a couple of months ago as DD2 had an acute ear infection and he said to alternate Calpol and Nurofen and if it was night time to use Calpol night instead of normal Calpol. She was only 13 months at that time.

I've only used it a couple of times and only 1 dose at a time at that so I'm not so worried now.

We used Nurofen this eve but we'll see how tonight goes. She's very bunged up so I'm not holding my breath.

Thanks again ladies!

[abcmum]

I still use Medised - it has really helped him through his cronic ear infections of late - I just tell white lies in the chemist and say its for DS1 and not DS2. I always use appropriately - all the packaging still says over 3 months. DS2 is 17 months now.

[mumgoingcrazy]

I have resorted to 1 dose of calpol night tonight as she is so bunged up and has a temperature, she's so tired I really think she needed something to help her. If inappropriate use was the reason for changing the age I can live with myself for giving the odd dose.

DD1 had medised from 3 months and she's ok and she's nearly 4.