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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:
drawingpad · 15/03/2022 12:35

@lemonnandliime

Imagine calling people self righteous for disagreeing with using 999 for advice

An overdose is classed as a potential medical emergency and NHS guidance includes it as a reason to contact 999. I didn't say call for advice about a headache or a snotty nose, but an overdose. The call handler can decide whether or not to despatch a paramedic or advise attending A&E.

Some people have been self righteous in their tone, it's unnecessary. Everyone can tell the OP what they personally would do in this situation and why but it's upto the OP to make the decision which route to take.

I misunderstood your post.

Strictlyfanoftenyears · 15/03/2022 12:37

This whole thing is unusual, why are both the children having paracetamol anyway, are they both ill?

Eucalyptusbee · 15/03/2022 12:38

999 is unnecessary- you don't need an ambulance for this.

but make your own way to a&e now for face ro face assessment

shabbalabba · 15/03/2022 12:39

Making them get sick was not the right thing to do either.you just go to a&e and the do bloods and give an antidote...

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 15/03/2022 12:41

[quote MyDcAreMarvel]@WiseUpJanetWeiss nothing medical but currently out to lunch with my SIL who is a pharmacist in a leading Childress hospital. I trust her opinion. Obviously calling 111 is necessary and getting your child checked for reassurance however it’s the 999 shouts that are ridiculous. You don’t even test a child’s blood levels for several hours with a paracetamol overdose it takes time to metabolise.[/quote]
Is your SIL aware that the OP may have been giving these doses for several days?

I'm also a bit Hmmabout whether an actual pharmacist would be happy for you to post this advice on a forum. It doesn't strike me as being very professional.

lemonnandliime · 15/03/2022 12:41

Also, anyone who genuinely can't get out due to being unwell, you can order calpol and nurofen for kids on Amazon.

Shell4429 · 15/03/2022 12:42

I can’t believe the fuss. One tablet is a high dose but honestly, I wouldn’t think of it as a medical emergency. I once ate a half full container of junior aspirin as a child. Ring 111 by all means for advice but I would just give them lots to drink to flush it through.

MyDcAreMarvel · 15/03/2022 12:42

@WiseUpJanetWeiss my advice was to call 111 so yes that is advice my SIL would give.

biscuiteer · 15/03/2022 12:42

Please stop giving medical advice unless you are qualified to do so.

Also those replying with words like hysterical, possibly, likely and panicking...what is the point? OP needs medical advice and should seek it.

ntsure · 15/03/2022 12:43

180mg is the standard dose for a 2 year old and and 240mg for the 4 year old.
So if you’ve been given the 4 year old 500mg regularly that is a definite cause for concern.
If the 2 year olds only had one 500mg dose I wouldn’t panic, but if it’s 500mg on top of other doses throughout the night/day then I’d be worried.
Paracetamol is a horrible drug and so many people don’t realise the dangers and how easy it is to have too much.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 15/03/2022 12:44

[quote MyDcAreMarvel]@WiseUpJanetWeiss my advice was to call 111 so yes that is advice my SIL would give.[/quote]
You said

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

Is that your SIL's professional opinion too?

Okeydoky · 15/03/2022 12:46

How did you make her vomit? Please tell me you didn't give her salt water?! If so you need medical advice for that too

tara66 · 15/03/2022 12:46

Stomach pump at children's hospital.

ntsure · 15/03/2022 12:47

I’m actually quite concerned about the 4 year old here, because 500mg isn’t the correct dose for them at all and if OP has been giving them that much repeatedly thinking it is the correct dose they could easily have had too much

canyon2000 · 15/03/2022 12:48

@Strictlyfanoftenyears

This whole thing is unusual, why are both the children having paracetamol anyway, are they both ill?
In the OP it says they are isolating due to covid.
lemonnandliime · 15/03/2022 12:48

@tara66

Stomach pump at children's hospital.
Brace yourself

I was put in my place just for suggesting 999 for fast medical attentionGrin

krazykatzlady · 15/03/2022 12:48

It was a 6 hour wait for a patient with breathing problems in my area just last week

This is why.

Phone 111 for advice - or put them in the car and take to A&E.

2022HereWeCome · 15/03/2022 12:49

why do people dismiss the damage that can be done by too much paracetamol? For me it would be A&E or a call to 999. I wouldn't faff around with 111 because they can take hours to get back to you. The children need to be monitored if there is any chance of an overdose.

Calennig · 15/03/2022 12:51

OP needs medical advice and should seek it.

This and as soon as possible - and OP has hopefully done so.

Paracetamol l overdoesing can be very bad - but it's less concering if it's a one off - which it isn't clear this is - but someone medical needs to check dosage and weight for the kids and advise the OP what she needs to do as soon as possible.

Ozanj · 15/03/2022 12:52

Why on earth are you giving your children crushed tablets? Call A&E and while you’re there get someone to write you a prescription for children’s paracetamol.

krazykatzlady · 15/03/2022 12:52

BNF for children says
paracetamol dose for ages 2-3 years
180mg every 4-6 hours, maximum 4 doses in 24 hours.

call 111 for advice, but this is not a 999 situation.

RebeccaCloud9 · 15/03/2022 12:53

When I last had a medical emergency, I called 111. We were on the phone for 12 minutes and still hadn't got through to a single person. Lots of Covid regulations and holding music, and 'your call is important'. I put the phone down and called 999. If a 2 year old has had a paracetamol overdose, now is NOT the time for waiting that long on the phone. 999 will tell you what to do.

Strawmite · 15/03/2022 12:53

You need to go to A&E and have both children weighted properly, the correct dose calculated and the overdose and their bloods checked. How on earth you can think it’s ok to cobble together a child’s drug dose is beyond me and so dangerous. Pop to the shop for calpol if you need to- you don’t legally have to isolate any more and you could put the kids in masks or leave them in the car. I am a nurse btw.

shrunkenhead · 15/03/2022 12:54

Please keep us posted, OP. Hope your children are ok and that you take the advice given here.

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 15/03/2022 12:57

I would be going to a&e, my friend did this recently with calpol gave double the dose and luckily it was ok for the kids weight!

Defo get medical attention

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