To think calpol is over used?

[crunchymint]

Calpol is used frequently by many parents. But it is basically paracetamol and should only be used for pain relief. NICE say it should not be used only to reduce fever. That is because unless very high, a certain amount of fever in ill children is a healthy response. But many staff will wrongly advise parents to give calpol when it is unnecessary.

mustbemad Because it made me feel much better than simply taking a tablet of paracetamol. Even though both had the same active ingredients. So in reality one was not better than the other, but one made me feel much better than the other.

So the lemon is the placebo not the paracetamol. The paracetamol is still treating whatever it is you took it for in the first place

Yes the lemon is the placebo.
Kids used to be given calpol if they are unhappy or just cranky, will feel better from it. That is the placebo impact.

'Cranky' is a relative term. I agree that like the mum on the programme, using it as a routine just because is ridiculous. But if your kid is 'cranky' for a reason then it isn't a placebo affect if the paracetamol is treating a cause such as pain or discomfort.

Just as an offside, did anybody who watched the show have any issues with the medication versus mediation trial for ADHD?