Calpol v Nurofen

[babysbreath]

My dc has had diarrhoea for the last two days with a temp of 39 today.

I have given her 5ml dose of calpol at 3.30pm and another one at 7.30pm, but her temp does not seem to be coming down. I do have some Nurofen, although it has been in the cupboard for the last two years, it has been open is it still ok? Also, i thought Nurofen had to be taken after food.

What is this Calpol Nurofen rotation?

Any help would be much appreciated.

I wouldn't use the nurofen if its been open in the cupboard for 2 years!

The rotation is alternating 2/3 hourly but obviously not more than the max daily dose.

Have you got DC stripped off to pants? Try some damp socks on their feet or a tepid bath.

how old?
if the temp does not go down with the usual (stripping down to vest and giving calpol) call nhs direct or ooh gp.
tbh I wouldn't give the ibuprofen if it has been open that long.
as for alternating, if a child really needs it I would give one and then the other 3 hours later. but I don't give medicines for 'just' a fever.

whats the use by date on the nurofen? You can alternate as pp said but taking note of the maximum number of doses of each.

She is five years old.

The use by date 2013, but I dare not risk it.

I will pop to the chemist first thing in the morning.

I get so confused with what can be taken, what needs to be taken after food etc.

Thank you

I wouldn't worry about taking it with food.
I always go with nurofen first because I've found that it is much better at bringing down temps than calopl.
Alternate nurofen/calpol every 2/3 hours.
Hope she's feeling better soon

If the use by date is 2013 it should be okay even if it has already been opened.

So if the temperature goes up above 39 degrees and if it doesn't respond to the calpol or you have already given maximum does then I would give the Calprofen.

Possibly best to see GP tomorrow given it may be difficult to see one over Christmas.

I agree with dikkertjedap, if the death-date is 2013 then it's fine.

In fact i'd like someone to tell me what the problem would be if the death-date were 2011. What can actually happen to a bottle of medicine?

My own opinion is that death dates are to do if the bottle has not been opened and is still 'sterile'. Once open I use as needed and then throw it away. It's like the use by date on foods. If unopened you have until the date printed but once opened its life has been reduced to 3 days or whatever if that makes sense?

I should add that I now buy calpol or nurofen sachets to avoid wastage! Ibuprofen (nurofen) has anti-inflammatory properties whereas paracetamol (calpol) does not. So depending on what the problem is determines which one i reach for first and then the 2-3 hourly rotation. My son has just had an ear infection, so we started with the nurofen. Hope that helps?

Janek: A few things can happen to a medicine with time: the active substance starts degrading (with light, humidity, etc) so there's less of it and the drug is less effective; impurities, resulting from degradation and which may not be safe above certain levels, go up; microorganisms start growing above safe levels; etc. It's based on this (and other factors with potentially less health impact) that the shelf lives are calculated.

Opening a bottle may have an impact on this or not. It should say on the label though.

I think nurofen is alot harsher on the stomach than paracetamol solution. Might just wanna stick with calpol. Hope she's better soon!!!

my mind boggles at people organised enough to have a clue when calpol was opened.

My scatter brained household often have bottles upstairs downstairs and in toiletbags.

If it's in date it gets used.

Definitely Calpol as first choice for stomach upsets, nurofen inhibits good prostaglandins that protect against stomach acid as well as the ones that cause inflammation. It's best taken with food, which is a problem if your not feeling like eating.

Which works best is very personal. I prefer paracetamol except for inflamed wrists from computer mouse overload.

My 14 yo and my DSIS says Nurofen works better for headaches etc.
(DH likes codine and asprin, which is not allowed under 16)

my mind boggles at people organized enough to have a clue when calpol was opened

if it's in date it gets used

^^
This :o

In my house I open things, DH opens them and my 14 yo opens things.

I've checked our Boots paracetamol the bottle doesn't have a use within period.

Anyway, I suspect if modern sugar free medicine was to grow anything you would be able to tell as, I suspect bacteria would break down the clever thickners and it would look all wrong.