Calpol overdose

[Rrrunrunrunrunrun]

I am freaking out. Like an utter moron I’ve just given Ds calpol straight after DH had given him some. His twin sister was screaming and we obviously communicate terribly as parents.

We both gave him 5mls. He has just turned 2 and is little for his age. Waiting for 111 to call back but I am freaking out and feeling like the worst mum.

a&e or wait for 111?

Wait for 111. I assume it's just a single, double dose? Good to get medical advice, but it should be fine.

dont panic! It’s fine!
the dosage on the bottle is guidance.
get little ones weight, 111 might need to know this.
also, has little one had any more calpol in the last 24 hours? They will calculate total for last 24 hours and combine this with weight.
will be absolutely fine!

Has he had any more in the last 24hours? If not, should be ok but hold off anymore till tomorrow. 111will probably advise to go in for a check.
we used to have a whiteboard we would write on with child/medication given/time given etc Saved any miscommunication issues.

Wait for 111.
Realistically, he’s fine and shouldn’t even need a blood test, just don’t give any more calpol for at least 8 hours. But definitely get advice from 111 rather than trusting randoms online for advice 🙂

The dosage for his age is 7.5 ml and you have given him 10 mls so I wouldn’t panic.

We have a shared note system on our phones and record the kids meds in there especially when they or us are really ill because it’s so easy to get confused.

I did this too once. 111 advised us our DS wouldn't die like I thought or need to go to hospital. Didn't ask height, weight etc. But we weren't to give any more calpol for a full 24 hours. I'm sure it'll be same advice now as a couple of years ago.

From the NHS link

What if they take too much?

Important
If you give your child 1 extra dose of paracetamol by mistake, wait at least 24 hours before giving them any more.

Get little ones weight that’s the first thing they asked me when we did similar. Then try and calm down and wait for them to call you back. DS was fine by the way (hours of panic though). Hugs

Thanks everyone for the reassurance. Pregnant and had a hard day with toddler tantrums so feeling awful for making this mistake :(

And yes, he’s just crossed into the 7.5ml category but only weighs 10.8kg so is quite small.

DD drank a whole bottle and was fine - me not so much.

My friends sister drank the full bottle once, she was fine.

Nothing else for 24 hours

Ok I’m calming down…..a whole bottle?! Well it does taste nice :)

Don’t worry! As a one off it will be absolutely fine

Also I remember knocking back in secret as a kid as I loved the taste! I survived!

It sounds like the dose you gave him was not a lot extra. Paracetamol (which is in calpol) in high doses can be dangerous (so I think you did the right thing in calling 111 - always better to be safe - they could ask him to come hospital for monitoring or receiving medication.) But I think the amount extra you gave him does not sound like it is going to be big problem - wait and see what they say.

Ok next question if anyone is still around.

Calpol overdose is all ok BUT his temp is now 39.8. Guna give ibuprofen as he can’t have more calpol for 24 hrs but when do I worry about this temp?

Above 40 is bad, use ibuprofen to try and bring down but if it doesn’t then you are going to need another 111 call and emergency gp

Brufen is a good plan.
how is he in himself?
rule of thumb… eating, drinking, peeing, pooing..if yes then he’s ok.
strip him off, lots of fluids.
a high temperature is the bodies normal and natural reaction to infection. Bugs can’t survive high temperatures hence the heat.
if he has no history of febrile convulsions then carry on doing the fab job you are doing.
habe a look on NHS choices website. It’s the NHS one, evidence based advice, tips and red flags advice. Really great source of information.

Tip for future we keep a pen and paper in the calpol box and write date time temp and dose on there every time.

Hope he’s better soon x

DH and I have a WhatsApp group for logging medication doses. We just send "Dc1 5ml calpol" to the group whenever we give a dose and then we have a complete tomestamped log of medication. Also handy when they have a course of antibiotics.

He'll be fine. One extra dose is not a big deal; it's 24hr dose that matters, and the box doses are conservative as a precaution.

Will absolutely start doing this on the whatsapp group with DH and our nanny.

The ridiculous thing is, DH was in the room when I have the second dose (not knowing he’d just given one) but was so distracted by screaming dd, he didn’t notice.

@Luckinspades thank you, this is all v helpful. He’s asleep but was lethargic but still giggling before bed.

I probably sound like a crazy mum but have seen things go downhill very quickly before (with dd1 before she died. Totally different circumstances but I have a tendency to panic!).

Me and my husband always text each other the time we gave the kids medicine and the amount - otherwise we’d forget and give too much.

My 2 year old once had a drink from the calpol bottle when i accidentally left it open. She was fine - but i was more careful after.

Things like this happen with kids.