Can you mix calpol and nurofen?

[relentlesslife]

2 year old is poorly. Tonsillitis and an ear infection. She had calpol at 7 but is still crying and tugging at her ear. I have never mixed them before but I've taken paracetamol and ibuprofen together so would it be okay?
I googled but Google seems to be 50 50 split and I don't want to be on hold with 111 again

Yes you definitely can. I would do Calpol leave it 2 hours then nurofen then 2 hours more Calpol.

Yep two hours apart. GP suggested it

Absolutely. Just keep an eye on the timings and max dose per 24hr.

Yes children can also mix paracetemol and ibuprofen, although its better to stagger them, so take paracetemol than three hours later take ibuprofen. So you’re always at a decent dose of each, rathee than both starting to run out at the same time.

Thank you! She's fallen asleep on me just as I posted but ill give her some nurofen at 9. I completely forgot to ask the doctor today.

Yes alternate between the two around 2.5 hours apart, just make sure you're not giving more doses than the bottle guidelines say.

You shouldn't give them at the exact same time. You could try ibuprofen if the calpol hasn't helped

@dementedpixie I'm thinking of giving her at 9 after the advice hwre and that's 2 hours since calpol. Then if I can stretch her out to midnight I'll give her some more calpol.

www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-children/taking-paracetamol-for-children-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/

This gives info about using both medicines

@dementedpixie thank you! Honestly I'm so exhausted the NHS website didn't even occur to me.

Apparently holding a hot or cold flannel against the ear can help too

Thats a thought. She keeps pulling my hand onto her ear. Must be the heat from my hand she's wanting. this morning I thought she was being a nightmare and turns out she is sick and has tonsillitis and an ear infection.

I'f you alternate every 3 hours she will get full pain coverage and no peaks and dips while staying inside the max doses. Was advised this at hospital years a go.

@APoppyLicks perfect! I'll give her nurofen at 9 because she still seems very unsettled even though she's asleep. Whimpering and crying. And then I can stretch her out to midnight on calpol. She's asleep on me but I think she will be in our bed tonight.

@relentlesslife how's your little one getting on? I hope she's past the worst of it now.

@APoppyLicks she's slowly getting there. She's decided ice cream for a snack is definitely medicinal!

You can give them together, especially if it's early on and you want to get a high loading dose to get the pain and fever under control. Then alternate so there is always something keeping pain under control Just don't exceed the maximum dose in 24 hours. If you have a big child the gp can weigh the child and adjust the dosage accordingly. Often get a higher dose this way.

Nhs website says not to do that though for children so i wouldn't do it without medical advice

Doctor told me not to give calprofen if child is vomiting

You can when used with medical guidance and following max doses but with ibuprofen (NSAIDS) medications you need to be careful not to give it on empty stomach as one of the side effects is irritation and bleeding of the digestive tract. Also get medical advice if pain relief is not working!