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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

would you use medised despite guidelines?

105 replies

pamelat · 08/01/2011 21:24

Medised used to be for 6 months plus, then changed to 2 years, now apparently changed/changing to 6 years.

My friend is GP and has told me its because parents were combining with calpol and over dosing their children, and also because parents were using it to sedate

My DS has yet another chest infection. He is 8 months old, big robust baby.

He is full of cold. He can not breathe. He can not sleep. Literally he can not sleep, he will doze off and 20 mins later wake crying. Have been alternating calpol/nurfon and using teething powders all day et nothing is working.

His big sister is 3 and we used medised with her when she was 2 (it was allowed then)

I dont have medised in the house. DD not needed any for a long time, am thinking of getting some tomorrow and giving it DS, just 2.5 ml at night for him to breathe/sleep

What do you think, unreasonable/irresponsible or practical/necessary?

OP posts:
JanesBrain · 08/01/2011 21:27

As a Doctor, I would recommend above all else that you don't take medical advise from anyone on MN! (Except maybe this :p )

D0G · 08/01/2011 21:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Scootergrrrl · 08/01/2011 21:29

Have you tried putting vapour rub on his feet before bed? It's all to do with reflexology points etc and its worked like a charm the last few nights for DS who is full of cold.

And I probably would, to your actual question.

corblimeymadam · 08/01/2011 21:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
pamelat · 08/01/2011 21:31

Hello,

I appreciate it seems a bit unresponsible but my instincts are telling me to use it and I guess I wanted to know if I was being ridiculous.

I am going to call NHS direct in the morning and see if anyone can prescribe antibiotics tomorrow for his chest, he only just finished them at Xmas Sad

He just needs to be able to breathe properly.

AM off to take him in to my bed, something else I shouldnt do Blush but he is poorly. No quilt, pillows or wine, nor sleep etc Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
pamelat · 08/01/2011 21:32

will try vicks on feet now thank you, he has it all over the back of his neck to no avail, other than smelling lovely!

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 08/01/2011 21:33

It isn't because of the risk of overdose, though many people thought that was the reason why. It's to do with the side effects of one of the ingredients. GPs can still prescribe it for under 6s if they believe it beneficial.

I wouldn't use it no.

Assume you've tried steam, snufflebabe or whatever it's called, tilting cot type stuff? You can try unblocking the nose with saline too.

IneedacleanerIamalazyslattern · 08/01/2011 21:35

DD used it as a baby in fact I think ds1 as well but No I wouldn't use it despite the guidelines.
The main reason being that they can now change ingredients medicine strength as it is no longer available for babies and you petentially wouldn't know if this had happened and could end up giving your baby an older child/adult dose of something.

DS2 has a horrid cold just now as well and I have been clearing his nose with the Calpol nasal spray (disclaimer there are cheaper brands but this was all the shop I was in had) it really has helped as has calpol and getting some fresh air has also helped a lot.

Original poster
pamelat · 08/01/2011 21:35

He won't even go in his cot whilst ill Sad just wants to lie on the bed and hold our hand.

Tried one of those nose clearing things, again no joy.

I might just go for a drive but he will probably wake up as soon as we are back.

DH lying with him now, my turn shortly. He was like this last night too but definately more chesty today.

OP posts:
Beamur · 08/01/2011 21:35

Personally, I would follow the guidelines on it unless my own GP said it was ok.
Sounds like your poor baby is having a rotten time of it though.

onimolap · 08/01/2011 21:36

The reason for the change in guidelines is because if research indicating an association with heart arrythmia - potentially very serious, though also very rare.

Original poster
pamelat · 08/01/2011 21:37

showofhands please can I ask about clearing nose with saline? How would i do this? Thanks

OP posts:
missmakesstuff · 08/01/2011 21:39

I haven't ever used it, but have heard of it and had a look in pharmacists.
I would say that given that the medised itself hasn't changed (has it?) and you have the opinion of a GP, I would give it - a good nights sleep, for him, and for you, makes complete sense.

Have to admit vested interest, DD is on 8th week of reccurent cold, and I am ready to try anything. Does it help dry up snot? or is it just another version of calpol but with more sedative properties?

onimolap · 08/01/2011 21:39

Oh, and if you've been using Calpol up to the recommended maximum dose, then you absolutely mustn't give Medised as well because it also contains a full dose of paediatric paracetamol.

missmakesstuff · 08/01/2011 21:40

Oh sorry, just read it may well have changed - in that case maybe not then!

Original poster
pamelat · 08/01/2011 21:41

miss make up It looks like contents may have changed, will ask my own GP tomorrow, so for now would not use it.

It does dry up a cold brilliantly though, shame they cant do a baby version Sad

OP posts:
missmakesstuff · 08/01/2011 21:44

Yes, if it has changed then you don't want to take a risk - If Medised out, I echo fresh air - if we are outside then DDs nose clear as a bell, also vicks on feet, olbas oil in bowls of hot water in room, and on wet towels on radiator, plus on bedtime cuddly toy in cot. Can you tell this cold has been going for a while?

Oh must go, dd awake again...feel your pain..

ShowOfHands · 08/01/2011 21:45

Here pamelat.

Binfullofmaggotsonthe45 · 08/01/2011 21:45

The saline nose clearing is a little bottle you buy from the pharmacy and squeeze up the nasal passages.

There is calpol branded one I think

ShowOfHands · 08/01/2011 21:46

Don't spend a fortune on the calpol one. It's ££. Normal saline is about 50p with a squirter.

risingstar · 08/01/2011 21:46

i would and have.

A small spoon of medised when they have streaming noses makes all the difference.

having given it to my older ones from 6 months for years without any problems i refuse to accept that it is suddenly dangerous. it contains paracetoml so i know not to give it with calpol and only when they are ill.

TragicallyHip · 08/01/2011 21:52

I have given it to Ds a couple of times. Only in dire emergency's though. 1st time would have been about 9months.

A friend who is a Paed said it was ok

MadamDeathstare · 08/01/2011 21:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BuzzLightBeer · 08/01/2011 22:07

I use Dozol which is the exact same thing. This is because I can read a label and am not a total numpty.

Chynah · 08/01/2011 22:09

Pamelat - if your DS has an actual chest infection then not much other than antibiotics is going to do much good - you need to get him to a doctor.