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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not sure if DH's logic is right?

32 replies

CraneBoysMysteries · 22/04/2023 13:07

Mishap with the shopping in the week. DH was asked to get calpol (or own brand substitute). Both DCs are fighting colds and we've just had double chicken pox so are out of it. Like to keep some in stock

DH went to Morrisons and got 3 boxes of own brand.

But...

...accidentally got 6+. He can't find the receipt and has already opened one bottle. Both kids are under 6.

His logic is that the dose of paracetamol per 5ml is just more than double. So we can use the bottles but give just less than half the usual dose and be mindful of 24 hr max on the original calpol.

This...sort of makes sense to me?? But I'm not sure if it's that simple?

Both bottles screenshot and the only active ingredient is paracetamol,

YANBU- logic is sound. If usually giving 5ml, move to 2ml of the over 6s

YABU- it's not that straightforward and here's why....

Not sure if DH's logic is right?
Not sure if DH's logic is right?
OP posts:
Aylestone · 22/04/2023 13:09

Tbh I’m with him. Half is pretty much the right dosage.

PinkFootstool · 22/04/2023 13:09

Yes, completely sound. How close to 6 are they? Maybe get a syringe for exacting quantities.

Beetrootlover82 · 22/04/2023 13:09

Dh is correct

Heroicallyfound · 22/04/2023 13:10

Sounds right but I’m not 100% sure.

6+ calpol can be used by adults so you could always use it up yourselves and get the other stuff for the kids.

HappyTrance · 22/04/2023 13:10

I would do what he suggests.

SertralineAndTherapy · 22/04/2023 13:10

Yes, it is that simple.

50percentNamaste50percentGoFuckYourself · 22/04/2023 13:10

He's right. But don't forget that under 6 and over 6 are very arbitrary lines and in an hospital setting it would be done on weight. There are calculators available online if you want to work out an accurate dosage.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 22/04/2023 13:11

Pretty certain I have done it the other way round, so can't see it would hurt.

DanceMonster · 22/04/2023 13:12

yes he’s right.

OutDamnedSpot · 22/04/2023 13:15

50percentNamaste50percentGoFuckYourself · 22/04/2023 13:10

He's right. But don't forget that under 6 and over 6 are very arbitrary lines and in an hospital setting it would be done on weight. There are calculators available online if you want to work out an accurate dosage.

I recently bought the equivalent of calpol in Spain and the dosage was done by weight. It makes so much more sense! There’s three years between my two, but barely any difference weight wise. On the English labels, DC2 would have got a much lower dose than he got on the Spanish ones.

Inkypinkee · 22/04/2023 13:18

You can calculate this using the mg per ml on the front of the box.

one has 120mg paracetamol per 5ml
The other has 250mg paracetamol per 5ml

therefore 2.5ml of the higher dose suspension would contain 125mg paracetamol and be similar (but slightly higher than) the lower dose suspension

2mg would contain 100mg

50percentNamaste50percentGoFuckYourself · 22/04/2023 13:19

OutDamnedSpot · 22/04/2023 13:15

I recently bought the equivalent of calpol in Spain and the dosage was done by weight. It makes so much more sense! There’s three years between my two, but barely any difference weight wise. On the English labels, DC2 would have got a much lower dose than he got on the Spanish ones.

Show quote history

yes the UK way makes no sense to me at all. There are 4 year olds that weigh more than 8 year olds, doubling the dose on your 6th birthday seems pretty mad.

But then the doses are low to begine with and its quite hard to give too much of this stuff. My DD was given calpol at 20 minutes old!!

QuickGuide · 22/04/2023 13:54

Yes, DH is right and the dose is so cautious they'd be fine anyway.

Merryoldgoat · 22/04/2023 13:57

He’s right. There are calculators online as well that will tell you how much to give.

Both of my children were enormous and has 6plus from 3 as the dosage a doctor prescribes is by weight.

RandomMess · 22/04/2023 14:04

I always bought 6+ and used calculator and syringe for accurate dose.

ShowUs · 22/04/2023 14:39

Inkypinkee · 22/04/2023 13:18

You can calculate this using the mg per ml on the front of the box.

one has 120mg paracetamol per 5ml
The other has 250mg paracetamol per 5ml

therefore 2.5ml of the higher dose suspension would contain 125mg paracetamol and be similar (but slightly higher than) the lower dose suspension

2mg would contain 100mg

This!

Beetrootlover82 · 22/04/2023 14:44

UK sensible doing age because avoids parents who don’t know weight child administering carelessly

age is based on the average height and weight per age

cornflakesandtea · 22/04/2023 14:48

Dosage for paracetamol is 15mg/kg/dose (I'm 99% sure of this but you can see on the BNF for yourself). If you know your child's weight then you can go off this instead.

cornflakesandtea · 22/04/2023 14:52

Dose being 4-6 hourly (and no more than 4 in a 24h period).
But yes, your DHs logic is sound

OhWifey · 22/04/2023 18:27

I've always done this as it's so much cheaper to just give half the dose of the 6+

Zhougzhoug · 22/04/2023 18:41

Yeah fine. We do it the other way round because my 7yo says the baby calpol tastes nicer and he’d rather just have more of it. I have picked my battles and that is not one of them.

theskyispurple · 22/04/2023 18:59

Totally fine ( paediatric nurse)... I've only ever bought the 6plus even when mine were babies, and I just worked out the dose myself.
The only issue is to be vigilant about checking the bottle and making sure it's the right one, and not getting yourself mixed up.

Mosaic123 · 22/04/2023 19:03

Ask a pharmacist?

Nimbostratus100 · 22/04/2023 19:06

completely wrong, development of liver is NOT linear