Can anyone recommend a paracetamol-based medicine that isn't full of E numbers?

[TillyLewis]

Hi there,

Can anyone recommend a paracetamol-based medicine that isn't full of artificial flavourings, sweeteners, colourings? I'm looking for something to give my DS (12mths) to help him with teething pain at night (homeopathy seems to help during the day but not at night). Every single ingredient in Calpol, bar paracetamol and sugar is on a list I have of E numbers which shouldn't be given to babies and young children.

Tilly

emkana, we just don't have the 'history' in the UK of taking medicines via the rectal route.

It is very eaily absorbed via that route, and avoids the problems with children vomiting/ spitting the stuff out. It can also help to prevent tummy upsets, but the UK is very suppository-phobic

Mb I feel so strongly about it that I even started a thread now

tron, surely if he is ill enough to need medication he shouldn't be at nursery??

I use calpol but only as a last min thing (i don't use meds unless i really HAVE to same with ABs) They are affected by E numbers - some of which i can identify and some i can't, especially if they are listed under their official name. however, the reaction my DCs get is the same as fruit shoots...super giddy/hyper. When they are ill its like a kick up the bum for them lol!

mum of monsters - ds wasn't ill, he had hurt his finger at nursery - but the nurse at the docs was just bruised so doc said to give calpol so i did, did you know E120 is the colouring used - it's actually banned in some countries and not recommended for children, i don't know why it needs to be coloured atall!! the effects some times last til the next day if he's had colours in the evening

Fruitshoots are almost like liquid speed to ds, he's practically on the celing after one of those - i think it's the sweeteners which i think are similar to those is the syrupy sweet medicines

DS only gets medicine when it is really necessary for that very reason

Hi, havn'r read the whole thread so appologies if I repeat something someone already said!

My father is a pharmacist (now retired) and he always said that if you want/need anything in the way of an over the counter medication without the additives if you go to a good local chemist (not boots!!!! ) they should be able to mix you up an additive free batch.

He always recomends trying to use your local independant chemist but even in boots the actual pharmacist (not one of the dispensing assistants!) should be able to mix something for you! It's what they were originally trained to do, not just get little packets of pills off of the shelves! My dad actually used to make up some of the pills too!

LattVen, I'm with you on this. Unless in cases of severe allergy etc

Have any of you seen a severe febrile convulsion?? Believe me there are far worse things than a little sugar.

DD (12 months) has had a really high fever this weekend and I was advised by NHS24 to give her Calpol. Both times she went bonkers and started crawling manically and trying to climb the furniture. This from a child who 30 mins previously didn't have the energy to lift her head off my shoulder.
I have found that Medised is better to give her at night as it doesn't make her hyper but don't want to give during the day. Child Nurofen (altho not paracetamol) doesn't seem to have the same effect as Calpol either

Something I don't get about suppositories. If the medication is so efficiently absorbed via the rectum, why doesn't the body absorb all the nasties in poo on the way out? Or am I missing something? My Spanish SIL is always going on about how wonderful suppositories are and offering to bring them back from Spain for my dcs.

the nasties in poo have already been absorbed higher up the gut; it is mostly a mixture of bacteria, cellulose and a few other waste products

the rectum is a sense organ, its function is to tell you that there is poo waiting to come out

it has a mucous membrane like the mouth, and absorbs a lot of medications really well, as it has a good blood supply

We're using junior parapaed which has E123 in it if that's any better (though I doubt it). It's a store own brand, can't remember which one... asda or sainsburys probably

We're using junior parapaed which has E123 in it if that's any better (though I doubt it). It's a store own brand, can't remember which one... asda or sainsburys probably