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Original poster

Help please. Calpol overdose

85 replies

nhdfj · 20/09/2021 07:58

My daughter is 15 and I accidentally gave her (just) over twice the dosage of Calpol for her age (used a baking measure tablespoon instead of teaspoon like an idiot and after she had it she said um isn't that the wrong spoon). I'm waiting for clinician callback from 111 now. I feel like such a moron. Has this happened to anyone and what happens now please. She seems fine and didn't have any of the symptoms from the list they (111) asked me.

OP posts:

fucketyfuckwit · 20/09/2021 08:20

Many younger kids accidentally get given double doses or indeed manage to get into the bottle and swig it! When my daughter swigged from it I called the GP who said that as long as she has had no more than half of the bottle there is nothing to worry about.

Briony123 · 20/09/2021 08:20

@CanIPullYouForAChat

Calpol at 15?! Normal, adult paracetamol can be taken from 12

if my mum had tried giving me calpol at 15 I’d have laughed in her face!

I’m sure she’ll be fine!

But then, it was often "one for baby, one for me" with a teething toddler, I loved that stuff. I've been snapping paracetamols in half for them since they were 6. No way would I give them medicine that tastes that nice once they can swallow tablets.

EdgeOfTheSky · 20/09/2021 08:22

Don’t worry OP, my Dc have at times been prescribed much more than the dose shown for over-the-counter medicines.

Just keep to the 24 hour level.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Children's health General health

Original poster

nhdfj · 20/09/2021 08:24

Thank you to the nice people explaining why she would have had Calpol. I didn't want to comment on posters' digs because that wasn't the point of my post. I don't know why people feel the need to post snarky comments on a thread where someone is worried about their child. If it makes them feel better, alright then.

Thank you to everyone for the advice and reassurance.

OP posts:

Alonelonelylonersbadidea · 20/09/2021 08:26

People are so ridiculous and obnoxious. My 13 year old prefers Calpol.
She's probably had that amount and has been fine

user7012893145776 · 20/09/2021 08:29

She will be fine, like op says it's the overall dose over 24 hours

KurtWilde · 20/09/2021 08:29

My god the Monday morning judgement on this site is alive and well isn't it! My DC have taken one adult paracetamol from 11 because they were ok with it. My dad, however always took soluble paracetamol or calpol because he could never manage a tablet, not even as an adult. Chill with the judgement.

OP your DD will be absolutely fine, they'll likely just say don't give her any more calpol today.

user7012893145776 · 20/09/2021 08:30

Like pp says*

takingmytimeonmyride · 20/09/2021 08:32

My 14 yo had covid recently and has always found taking tablets hard, he just can't swallow them. Normally it's fine, he will just refuse painkillers and sleep it off, but he was quite ill so I bought calpol for him. And then my 17 yo also got it and said he'd prefer calpol as well. Fine, whatever works for them. As for giving them something sweet both of them said it wasn't as nice as they remembered it!

I hope your DD is ok OP (with both having too much calpol and whatever she was taking it for)

JaninesEyePatch · 20/09/2021 08:33

My 13 yr old can't swallow tablets for love nor money and has a dreadful gag reflex so he has to have either the liquid or calpol fast melts. Quit the judgement people.

I do remember years ago on MN someone's young child drank a whole bottle of Calpol and they were fine! But paracetamol overdose should always be taken seriously. Hope she is better soon OP.

trama · 20/09/2021 08:33

I'm surprised a 15 year old can neither swallow pills nor operate a measuring spoon herself, unless there's SEN in issue in which case fair enough.

PurpleDaisies · 20/09/2021 08:33

I’ve looked at the data sheet and it’s 250mg/5ml so you’ve given her 32/5x250 = 1600mg of paracetamol. It should be no more than 1000mg. A one off dose of that should be fine but you really need to be careful with paracetamol products.

JudgeRindersMinder · 20/09/2021 08:36

@MissBridgetJones

Ok, so ignoring the fact a 15 year old is taking calpol. How much did you give her? Check that against an adult dose of paracetamol.

My ds had to have liquid paracetamol (unbranded calpol) till he was about 16 as he really struggled to swallow tablets till then. What exactly is your issue?

Neonplant · 20/09/2021 08:36

Loads of people struggle with swallowing pills. Op I think you're a bit more calm now. But honesty is she's OK on the daily dose you have nothing to worry about.

NavigatingAdolescence · 20/09/2021 08:38

@Ostryga

An adult dose of paracetamol is 2x 500mg tablets. So she’s had a normal dose for her age.

It’s 2x 200mg, isn’t it?!!

Osrie · 20/09/2021 08:39

nhdfj I imagine you know already but Just in case calpol fastmelts are a good alternative if calpol is needed when in school. They melt so no worries about swallowing tablets and I’m informed by my dd that they don’t really have a taste and melt really quickly.

DressBitch · 20/09/2021 08:41

Is there a reason your 15 year old needed you to measure the dose for her? Never mind that it was Calpol, that's the part I find most weird.

PurpleDaisies · 20/09/2021 08:41

It’s 2x 200mg, isn’t it?!!

No. You’re thinking of ibuprofen.

Adult paracetamol tablets are 500mg each. Normal dose is two. Wait four hours, no more than four doses in a day.

AwaAnBileYerHeid · 20/09/2021 08:41

When I was a kid (but old enough to open the calpol bottle) I used to swig the stuff down (the strawberry flavoured one) as it was so sweet and tasty! My mum didn't have a clue! Did me no harm!

On a serious note, she will be fine OP. I know the panic all too well at something like this, but she will be fine.

RevolvingPivot · 20/09/2021 08:42

I though after about 12 kids have tablets? I didn't even know the bottle was for 16 year olds.

PurpleDaisies · 20/09/2021 08:43

Ffs. Why are people so bothered about exactly how someone takes their paracetamol?

LindaEllen · 20/09/2021 08:46

@SweatyYetti

Why on earth is your DD at 15 taking Calpol

I used to take Calpol when I was a teenager too - I liked the taste! :D

soupmaker · 20/09/2021 08:47

Indeed @PurpleDaisies. I'm aghast at the judgement on here. Who cares how someone takes medication.

Your DD will be absolutely fine. Our DD had a massive dose of liquid paracetamol on one visit to A&E. Reassured me no end as she was small and I'd fed her the wrong dose a couple of times at home!

Comedycook · 20/09/2021 08:49

I had a headache recently and ran out of paracetamol tablets so had to take Calpol!

Op...I'm sure she'll be fine

Original poster

nhdfj · 20/09/2021 08:52

Paracetamol is 2x500mg for only 16 and over, according to the pack. For 10-15 years it's one tablet only. Daughter only just turned 15 a few days ago and is a very slim fifteen (I think dosage depends on weight). I wish 111 would call back soon. The person I spoke to said that a clinician would have to speak to me as well, but still no callback.

The adult dose is 1000mg and I've given her 1600mg if my calculation is correct. That's 32ml of 6+ Calpol.

Again, thank you to kind and helpful posters. I'm very grateful.

OP posts:

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