Oh hell, pharmacist won't give me Medised

[giveusabreak]

DD (3.5y) is writhing with itchiness from chickenpox at night, weeping and so uncomfortable. We have done oatmeal baths (seemed to make her more itchy), bicarbonate baths (helped a bit but she can't sleep in a bath), piriton makes her hyper and calamine cream has no effect. Just been to Boots and the pharmacist said he wasn't allowed to sell it for use in a child under 6. Both DD and I totally wrung out from basically no sleep for two nights. I want her to get some rest. She is in bed with me at night so I can keep an eye on her. I suppose I coudl go to another chemist and lie but I'm not wild about doing that and anyway it's Easter Monday not much open round here. I knew all about it being banned in under 2s but not under 6s. Is it because some parents are using it as a sleeping drug - surely they are exactly the sort of people who will just lie to the chemist anyway

Medised has simply been classified into a new group. Here are some extracts from the official press release. I hope this helps you:

Why were they taken off the shelves?

• The decision was made following advice from the Commission of Human Medicines that certain ingredients could be potentially dangerous if parents were to administer more than the recommended dosage.
• Although removed from the shelves, these medicines are still on sale, you just have to ask your pharmacist for them.

Does that mean they are dangerous?

• No. The Medicine & Health-care Products Regulatory Agency insist that the medicines are perfectly safe if given in the correct dose for children over 2 years.

• There is also evidence to suggest [they] may have been used by parents as a sleep aid for young babies which can be highly dangerous if given frequently.

Should I be concerned if I have given one of these medicines to my baby in the past?

• As long as they were given in the correct dosage, there is little cause for concern. The move is purely a precautionary measure to safeguard small babies and toddlers under 2 from potential over-dosing in the future.

Let me know if this helps puts things in perspective.

I have just given my 6 month old medised.

I'm sure I will get flamed for it but I figure if it was fine from 3 months for DS1 3 years ago, there can't be that much has changed.

I think this is just another guideline to protect the stupid (giving it to make them sleep, mixing it with calpol, double dosing etc.)

Just joined mumsnet, and was reading all the threads regarding medised. Have to say im v.chuffed that so many other parents do the same as me... lie to the pharmasist to get it! Had a good chuckle to myself at some of the comments! Luckily i have a 6 yr old so i would always say it was for him, when really it was for my 18 month old, but just tried to buy a new bottle and was told it's not for under 12's! Damn it! Im always being told how young i look (no, not in a good way either, ppl think im about 17 when im 26!)so dont think i can blag it by saying i have an older child. Always felt a bit guilty for lying but calpol (or any other medicine) doesnt even touch the sides on my little girl's teething. Thanx all you moms out there for be so truthful, makes me feel loads better

I have given it my dd since she is three (now six) and it has no sedating effect on her whatsoever.