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Is this calpol overdose

9 replies

Insomniafromworrying · 18/10/2023 18:17

My son is 4 years old, I give him 10ml calpol
is that the correct dosage ?
bevause the guidelines is confusing
it says 2-4 is 7.5ml
4-6 10ml

OP posts:
FixTheBone · 18/10/2023 18:20

Weight would be a better way to work out doses accurately, but can be harder for parents to weigh and calculate.

Age based doses are based on an average weight and will have a big safety margin built in, so very unlikely to have been a harmful dose.

JenniferAllisonPhillipaSue · 18/10/2023 18:21

(Caveat - this is opinion, I am not medically trained)
It won't be a problem that you've given him potentially 2.5 ml more than he should have - it's guidance, not accurate, as you can tell from the use of age ranges and not actual body weight. For a small four-year-old (as our son once was), I'd use the lesser measure; for a strapping large four-year-old, I'd give the greater measure. Either way and far more importantly, how is your son doing?

jamorchocolatedoughnut · 18/10/2023 18:22

10mls is the correct dose for a child who has had their 4th birthday, unless they are very small for their age. Hope your little one is okay

EllaPaella · 18/10/2023 18:24

Presuming you gave him the infant suspension and not the 6+?
I personally would phone 111 who can do the calculation for you based on weight- not being unkind but better getting professional advice than asking here.

Insomniafromworrying · 18/10/2023 18:24

He is 22kg ???? He has been in this dose for 3 days 😢

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 18/10/2023 18:29

It's fine. Assuming that's the 0-6 years one, 10ml is 240mg.

At 22kg his mg per kg dose is 330mg. So 10ml is quite a bit under the amount that he can safely take.

BertieBotts · 18/10/2023 18:32

And I agree the age categories are unhelpful, but I'd read them as being 2 years up to the fourth birthday and then four years up to the sixth birthday.

It is done by weight where I live with approx age given and I think this is more easy to understand. But then I go and import it from the UK anyway as they have nicer flavours and end up having to look it up anyway!

winniethedoo · 18/10/2023 18:37

It's fine. I know a child who drank a whole bottle and the doctor at A&E said there isn't enough paracetamol in the bottle to cause any major issues.

Insomniafromworrying · 19/10/2023 17:33

Thank you all
i called a pharmacy and made the calculate it manually to give me exact amount. And as mumsnet suggested, 10ml is not even the full dose for his weight !

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