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Children's health

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Original poster

Paracetamol overdose 2 year old

121 replies

Mrspike888 · 15/03/2022 11:43

Please help! I have accidentally mixed up my kids doses of paracetamol and gave my 2 year old 500mg of paracetamol in stead of my 4 year old. I have made her throw up as best I can to try and get it out of her system a few minutes after giving it to her and realising my mistake but I'm panicking! Please can anyone help? Will she be OK if I don't give her anything else for the rest of the day? We are isolating due to Covid so I couldn't leave the house to get calpol so I gave her crushed paracetamol in a spoonful of jam but gave her too much! HELP!

OP posts:

MyDcAreMarvel · 15/03/2022 11:53

The drama on this thread is ridiculous ( not the op understandably they are anxious) people need to calm down. And look things up before the hysteria
bnfc.nice.org.uk/drug/paracetamol.html

BabbleBee · 15/03/2022 11:53

If you’ve been giving her 250mgs of paracetamol and you’ve given the next dose as 500mgs you’re well into overdose territory - 2 year olds are supposed to have 180mgs every 4-6 hours. So I change what I wrote in my pp and would say that she needs to be seen urgently.

lemonnandliime · 15/03/2022 11:54

I'm sure a one off mistake like this is not a life threatening situation, it's not like you've been giving them that dose consistently for days.

I'd call 999 for immediate advice to be certain, but they will probably tell you to closely monitor the children for certain symptoms and they will more than likely be fine.

drawingpad · 15/03/2022 11:56

I'd call 999 for immediate advice to be certain, but they will probably tell you to closely monitor the children for certain symptoms and they will more than likely be fine.

I think you meant 111. 999 is not an advice line.

WeDontShutUpAboutBruno · 15/03/2022 11:56

111 for advice, it's just over a double dose, and she has been sick very soon after as well.

Please either call a chemist or someone you know to drop calpol to you, it's dangerous to try and figure the dosages yourself when you don't know what you're doing.

I hope she's OK op

Ducksurprise · 15/03/2022 11:57

999 isn't for immediate advice. Ring 111, because of their age they will be triaged quickly

backinthebox · 15/03/2022 11:58

The maximum dose of paracetamol for a 2 year old is 180mg. The maximum dose for a 4 year old is 240mg. The amount you are giving both your children is too much. Paracetamol overdoses do not show symptoms, but can still build up to cause serious liver damage and potential failure. I am not being alarmist, but if you have been giving your children these doses of paracetamol you need to call 999 straight away and tell them exactly how much you have given each child and at what time you gave the doses, especially if you have given more than one dose in the last day or so. I am no longer in the industry but I used to sell paracetamol for a living a long time ago.

gamerchick · 15/03/2022 11:59

Ring for advice but seriously, get some Calpol and stop with the tablets.

NerrSnerr · 15/03/2022 11:59

@lemonnandliime

I'm sure a one off mistake like this is not a life threatening situation, it's not like you've been giving them that dose consistently for days.

I'd call 999 for immediate advice to be certain, but they will probably tell you to closely monitor the children for certain symptoms and they will more than likely be fine.

We have no idea how many doses the OP has given the children. For all we know they could have had 4 doses of 500mg for the 4 year old and 250mg for the 2 year old which is too much.

thaegumathteth · 15/03/2022 12:00

What @backinthebox said. You've potentially been repeatedly overdosing both children - paracetamol damage can be silent initially. Get help

thaegumathteth · 15/03/2022 12:01

Incidentally - when my Dd was 2 she got hold of a packet of paracetamol . I was 90% sure she hadn't actually had any but she still needed blood tests.

BloomingTrees · 15/03/2022 12:02

Call 999. Paracetamol overdoses can be very dangerous.
Why are you giving tablets?

2bazookas · 15/03/2022 12:02

Stop fucking around on social media and call 999.

Notthissticky · 15/03/2022 12:03

@MyDcAreMarvel

999 is completely unnecessary the daily maximum dose fir a two year old is 780mg. Ring 111 for reassurance but your child has not overdosed.

4 doses of 5ml Calpol per 24 hours is 480mg. OP has given more than this, and in one go. Please don't dispense incorrect information. Nothing bad will happen if OP calls 999, whereas the consequences might be serious if she waits too long.

BloomingTrees · 15/03/2022 12:04

Why are you giving a 4 Yr old 500g? Has this been prescribed by a doctor?

You shouldn't be messing about with drugs like this on your children.

backinthebox · 15/03/2022 12:04

[quote MyDcAreMarvel]The drama on this thread is ridiculous ( not the op understandably they are anxious) people need to calm down. And look things up before the hysteria
bnfc.nice.org.uk/drug/paracetamol.html[/quote]
Go on then, point out to me where in that NICE formulary it says a bit of accidental overdose never did anyone any harm! Speaking as someone who was a specialist in this area a long time ago (but to my knowledge paracetamol has not changed in the last 30 years) I would be having my child to the hospital immediately. And reading between the lines the OP has been giving both her children too high a dose, and we do not know how long for. There are some things that are worth acting immediately on, this does not mean anyone advising immediate action is hysterical.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 15/03/2022 12:07

BabbleBee · 15/03/2022 12:08

@backinthebox you are absolutely spot on. The cumulative dose is also a concern.

Thekormachameleon · 15/03/2022 12:08

As someone who works for an ambulance service- you should call 999.
And do you really have no one who can get some calpol for you? Friends, neighbours, school mums, randoms on Facebook, Amazon ?

BigskyMontana · 15/03/2022 12:08

Do not call 999 FFS. You would potentially wait hours and then the crew would only be able to advise you to go to A&E.

Call 111 or your own GP. Also, I would stop trying to make your 2 year old vomit. I bet they are terrified!

Thekormachameleon · 15/03/2022 12:09

Alternatively - if you have an A&E close by and have a car or can get a taxi the head straight there

whataballbag · 15/03/2022 12:10

Stop trying to make a 2 year old sick.

A&e straight away.

iusedtohavechickens · 15/03/2022 12:10

Please call gp or pharmacist for advice. The leaflet that comes with calpol says she should have 180mg or paracetamol as the required dose however as pp have stated it can vary by weight. When my daughter was in nicu she was on double what I would be allowed to give her as a parent. They deliberately give you smaller doses in case of overdose however the leaflet says to call go if overdose occurs as it can cause delayed liver failure so best get her checked over and to have it noted in her file just in case something happens in future x

Sirzy · 15/03/2022 12:10

The one off dose wouldn’t be too much of a worry (although still worth seeking advise) but given you have been overdosing both accidentally for a while possibly I would phone 111

NerrSnerr · 15/03/2022 12:11

The arguing about 111 vs 999 is ridiculous and won't be helping the OP het medical advise with conflicting advice.

If I had access to a car I'd personally drive straight to A&E but the OP getting advice now is the main thing.

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