Calpol

[TinyTimsGang]

My dd (3yrs) has a nasty sore throat which seems to turn into a horrible cough (her brother has had it too).

I've been giving Calpol, but I've never been too sure how often you should do this (must be a bit thick, I should know by now!). The bottle says no more than 4 doses in 24 hrs so to be on the safe side I've never repeated a dose more often than every 6 hrs. Dh says every 4 hrs is ok and it does say to leave at least 4 hours between doses on the bottle too, which kind of contradicts the first bit.

Which is correct do you think - she is very uncomfortable with this and I wouldn't want her to be going without something that will help, but obviously I don't want to OD on the stuff.

I know Calpol has been the subject of a troll type thread before, but I'm not one - promise!

you can give nurofen in between the calpol as there isn't any paracetemol in neurofen

4hrs during the day should be fine, but just keep note of how any doses she has had, so u dont OD at night.

would a cough and cold medicine be better? i think benylin do one for kids, but it does contain paracetamol.

You can give calpol and nurofen at the same time - don't have to alternate.

Every four hours during the day is fine as long as you're not giving it during the night as well. You should really only give 4 doses in 24 hours.

Well, I think its highly dodgy to start mixing two types of drugs without a doctor's say so. I'd say stick to the 4 doses only in 24 hours,and then if she is still in severe discomfort go to the doctor.

It is ok to mix the 2 as there are several medicines with both in already.Maybe nurofen and calpol before bed to settle her?

Yes, but the ones with both in would be a half dose of each. I think it would be easy to get out of your depth. and we're talking very small kidneys! Just my opinion though.

Doctor and NHS direct both advised interspersing .. (NOT taking at same time) .. so you'd do calpol then nurofen then calpol (to make it easier I'd do it every 3 hours cos that accounts for the nurofen every 6 hours

Also paracetomal stabilises a temp but nurofen brings it down (and nurofen lasts longer too)

twiglett just posted exactly what I was going to say.....

Dd now tucked up with some more Calpol, but I'm still on the no more than 4 in 24 hrs thing. I know you can use products like Neurofen too, but tend to agree with JanglyBells in that it would be quite easy to get out of my depth with medication - I find all these medicines with and without paracetamol quite confusing. Many thanks for all your advice I do appreciate it and she seems a bit happier now.

I've been advised by several doctors in the case of high fevers that it's fine to alternate Calpol and ibuprofen, like the other posters said, so the child can have pain/fever relief every 3 hours.
Obviously you don't want to do this for more than a day or so without seeing a doctor......

Nurofen is better IMO...it lasts longer and has a better effect on controlling DD's temp. Wouldn't give this and paracetamol together though.

It is best to give them separatly as the one just given will start to act as the other is being cleared from the sysytem IYSWIM, so the over all cover of pain relief and reduction of temperature is better. There is no probelm with alternating and you don't have to reduce the dose of either. What you must never do is give more than one type of pain relief that contains paracetamol. You should never give as asthmatic child ibuprofen either.

Oh and neurofen and ibuprofen are the same as each other and are both made by Boots in the same factory. Never pay the extra for Neurofen, it is a total rip off! Trust me, I used to work for them!