5th dose Calpol in 24hrs?

[lochmaree]

Sorry posting for traffic. 2yo suspected chicken pox but also keeps holding his ears, had Calpol today 4am, 8am, 12/1pm and 6pm. He's just been up screaming for half an hour (very unlike him). 111 put me on a list for a call within 6 hrs. Can't give ibuprofen because suspect CP. Does anyone know if a 5th dose of calpol is ok? He's gone back into a restless sleep for now so I would hold off as long as poss.

The dosing information is on the bottle/box - I wouldn't give him any more than the recommended dosage tbh.
www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-children/how-and-when-to-give-paracetamol-for-children/

Always always follow the correct dosage with paracetamol. If the temperature is a worry call 111 again or go to A&E. Definitely don't give over the dosage amount.

No. Only ever four doses of paracetamol in 24 hours. That goes for children and adults. I am so sorry your little one is in so much pain but you don't want to damage his liver on top of everything else.

He can't have more until the morning as he's at the maximum dose. Hopefully medical advice will help.

Have you tried a wheat bag for his ears? Mine liked to sleep on my lap with my hand over their ear when they had ear pain. I think the warmth and comfort must have helped.

Yeah it's 4 doses in 24hrs. Usually in this situation I would stagger with ibuprofen but I can't with CP. I know that the 4 x 7.5ml is not the upper limit of what they can have at his weight but also don't want to be reckless with it.

It’s not ideal but it’s not the end of the world as a once off. The doses tend to be on the lower side in general than the mg per kg allowance. Try a warm hot water bottle on a towel or blanket and lie on it with sore ear on the warmth…

Ok thank you all. I will hold off Calpol and try the wheat bag.

It's horrible to see your child suffer but I'd personally try to hold off any more doses, unless explicitly advised by a medical professional. I hope you get some advice soon and that he feels better soon too.

I'd phone 111

OP already has phoned them, but if something has changed significantly then she could call again.

What a shame ☹️ If you suspect his ears are sore a nice warm flannel over them. I always had to have one with earache and my daughters the same. Unfortunately I've always found ibuprofen better for earache. Hopefully it isn't CP and he can get some xxx

My gp has told me to do this previously when dc were really poorly. She said 4 hours on the button. As a 1 off it won't hurt.

Have done now with all my kids. They're fine and 1 is an adult.

Nothing has changed and I'm waiting on a call back. I've also tried to find a pharmacy I can call but unsuccessful so far.

Don’t give it OP. It’s not just about the dose. The reason you shouldn’t give it more than 4x per day (with 4-6hrs between doses) is to allow enough time for the body to metabolise the paracetamol without a build up of the harmful by product.

What about some piriton? Helped mined with chicken pox xx

Weigh your child then go online to check the correct dose by weight. My kids aren’t huge or anything but typically when going by weight they can have quite a bit more than the bottles (who have to cater conservatively based on age) indicate. If they were being undersized by weight, I’d give them another dose (ideally the right amount for their weight).

Phone a doctor - my brothers used to get raging temperatures and fit as children, really poorly, and our GP agreed for them to have Calpol every three hours, not every four, and no limit on the number of times in 24 hours.

So basically doctors can give you permission to up doses of paracetamol/ibuprofen if you really need it

He's been having chlorphenamine 2.5ml 2x daily already.

I'm waiting to hear back from out of hours doctor but could be 6 hrs.

Also I've known GPs to also allow every four hours in 24 hours, no limit. But this time it went even further every three hours they allowed.

I'm not saying to do this! Just that you can safely have slightly higher amounts, it just needs to be Ok'ed by a doctor

I just tried a warm compress on his ear and it upset him so much, he looked at me with a 'how could you' very hurt expression. 😓

I always give every 6 hours to avoid that awful gap atthe end when they can't have any for 8 hours. Neither choice is nice when they're in pain though

Glad you're not doing it. Even a small overdose of paracetamol can cause irreversible liver damage.

Is there anything else that your LO will tolerate that will soothe them another way?

A bath?
A massage?
Something sensory like lights on the ceiling and soothing noises?

It's horrible not to be able to help them.

See my previous post about why you shouldnt exceed the frequency. I’m glad your brothers suffered no ill effects but I would never listen to a Dr recommending this (I’m a pharmacist). By that dosing you could be using it up to 8x per day, double the dose! bnfc.nice.org.uk/drugs/paracetamol/#indications-and-dose