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Original poster

Mixed up calpol and calprofen!

31 replies

LIC1985 · 07/10/2022 18:31

Firstly have already called 111 but they said. Clinician needs to call me back but can't tell me how long .

Stupidly mixed up the calprofen with calpol and have given DS age 2 a 5ml dose instead of 2.5

It's bedtime and he is tired ( due to the cold he has... unsure if I keep him awake till they call or is it safe to let him go to bed as usual !

Usually I'm calm and rational but so annoyed at my mistake so can't work out what's best.

OP posts:
ptsdmum · 07/10/2022 18:37

How much in 24 hours?

EmptyDressingTable · 07/10/2022 18:37

OK, so you've given him a double dose of which one?
And how much of that drug has he had so far today compared to the maximum on the packet?

How heavy is he?

Neverfullycharged · 07/10/2022 18:39

Don’t worry, it’s easily done. As long as he hasn’t exceeded the dose in 24 hours he’s fine.

At the risk of sounding blasé, even if he has slightly exceeded the dose it’s unlikely to do any damage.

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Original poster
LIC1985 · 07/10/2022 18:40

I have given him 5ml calprofen and it's the only dose he has had today

OP posts:
RagzRebooted · 07/10/2022 18:41

Which drug did you give more of? What does he weigh? How much has he had already today?

greenbirdsong · 07/10/2022 18:42

LIC1985 · 07/10/2022 18:40

I have given him 5ml calprofen and it's the only dose he has had today

If that's all he's had I honestly wouldn't worry. It happens. Just don't give him anymore over night. He'll be fine.

RagzRebooted · 07/10/2022 18:42

LIC1985 · 07/10/2022 18:40

I have given him 5ml calprofen and it's the only dose he has had today

Has he been eating?

If so, just a double dose once should be fine. I'd be concerned it would be harsh on his tummy if he wasn't eating, but otherwise I would not be concerned as a one off.

Original poster
LIC1985 · 07/10/2022 18:42

He weighs around 12kgs!

OP posts:
CrookCrane · 07/10/2022 18:42

He’ll be fine as it’s the only dose he’s had today, don’t worry OP.

Namechangedforspooky · 07/10/2022 18:43

if that’s calprofen it’s way below the daily dose for an average weight 2yo. Sounds fine to me (I’ve mixed those bottles up previously too and I work in A&E!)
Hopefully 111 will reassure you when they phone back

Original poster
LIC1985 · 07/10/2022 18:44

Sorry my husband had totally just reminded me he had 7.5ml calpol at 7am with breakfast but this is his only calprofen dose ! So 12 hours between doses

He had eaten literally just before

OP posts:
diffandproud · 07/10/2022 18:45

Completely fine..one dose will not do any harm..it's accumulatiion over 24 hours,
Don't worry op, he will be absolutely fine

ifchocolatewerecelery · 07/10/2022 18:45

You've just made me panic because I give my 2 year old 5ml doses. Nurofen version same strength 100mg/5ml says 5ml for ages 1-3 years 3 times a day. Whereas the calprofen says 2.5ml 3-4 times a day for the same strength.

thaegumathteth · 07/10/2022 18:46

Obviously it's not advisable but as a one off I genuinely don't think it's an issue

dementedpixie · 07/10/2022 18:46

Children's nurofen contains the exact same amount of ibuprofen but its dosage for age 1-3 years is 5ml so you haven't given an overdose at all. I dont know why the dosage differs but noticed the difference when my kids were younger

ifchocolatewerecelery · 07/10/2022 18:46

No idea why they give 2 different doses except the lower one gives a 4 times a day option instead.

dementedpixie · 07/10/2022 18:47

ifchocolatewerecelery · 07/10/2022 18:45

You've just made me panic because I give my 2 year old 5ml doses. Nurofen version same strength 100mg/5ml says 5ml for ages 1-3 years 3 times a day. Whereas the calprofen says 2.5ml 3-4 times a day for the same strength.

I've just xposted with this same info!
Nurofen has always had the higher dosage for the same age group

Original poster
LIC1985 · 07/10/2022 19:00

Thank you all so much for being kind and not making me feel awful!

Pleased to report 111 were super quick and confirmed he's all ok

Thank you 😊

OP posts:
TheLadyofShalott1 · 07/10/2022 19:23

Your little one will be fine as long as you don't give another dose until you have heard back from 111. I would not be giving you any reassurance or advice if you were not already expecting a call back as you have no idea who any of us are, but as you have already told people you can trust, then I think it is ok to let you know that on this occasion your little one will be fine.

May I gently suggest that when any adult is looking after a sick child that there should be some sort of notebook or chart, that you all fill in immediately after giving the child their medicine. Keep it with the medicine bottle, or stuck to the outside of the cupboard the bottle is kept in, so it is always handy.

It is extremely important that all adults in the household, and who are caring for the ill child, know exactly when and where the medicine was given, and if there is more than one of you, also initial it in case someone needs to query something about the last dose. At the time, especially if we are the only adult dealing with it, we think we will remember what happened, but it is amazing how soon things can get muddled in our minds, so noting down anything that seems at all relevant is always a good idea. Also, if the child throws up within 45/50 minutes please note that down, and the rough amount of vomit, and any particular colours, consistency etc.

I hope that he feels better very soon OP, and that you can at least relax about the medicine already given, and I hope you both get a good night's sleep (yes it is fine to let him go to sleep if the medicine you gave him is your only worry). By the way, I am a grandmother now, but I know lots about making mistakes and having accidents with my children when they were younger, which is why over the years I gave quite a lot of thought about how to try and prevent as many as possible 'accidents' as they grew older - but nothing is foolproof, we are all human, and the more stressed we are, the more likely we are to make mistakes. I wish these were real 💐 for you xx

ps. Can you keep the Calpol and Calprofen seperated from each other in the cupboard you keep them in, just to give a little extra time to think about which one you want to give your child.🍫

TheLadyofShalott1 · 07/10/2022 19:26

Sorry @LIC1985 the length of my post rendered it unnecessary, but I am very glad to hear that you have had your mind put at rest xx

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 07/10/2022 19:36

I'd call 111 tbh.

When DS was around the same sort of age we accidentally double dosed him with Calpol and were told he had to be seen by a Dr as a matter of urgency.

He was absolutely fine but not worth the risk

lorisparkle · 07/10/2022 19:39

Glad to hear you have been reassured. When ds3 was little ds1 and 2 decided to try and feed him an ibuprofen tablet after climbing on the fire guard . I rang the hospital in a panic and the Dr was very reassuring and said it was dosage over 24hours that I needed to be concerned about. Luckily I discovered that he hadn't actually swallowed anything but I felt awful!

dementedpixie · 07/10/2022 19:46

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 07/10/2022 19:36

I'd call 111 tbh.

When DS was around the same sort of age we accidentally double dosed him with Calpol and were told he had to be seen by a Dr as a matter of urgency.

He was absolutely fine but not worth the risk

She already has

Original poster
LIC1985 · 07/10/2022 19:48

TheLadyofShalott1 · 07/10/2022 19:23

Your little one will be fine as long as you don't give another dose until you have heard back from 111. I would not be giving you any reassurance or advice if you were not already expecting a call back as you have no idea who any of us are, but as you have already told people you can trust, then I think it is ok to let you know that on this occasion your little one will be fine.

May I gently suggest that when any adult is looking after a sick child that there should be some sort of notebook or chart, that you all fill in immediately after giving the child their medicine. Keep it with the medicine bottle, or stuck to the outside of the cupboard the bottle is kept in, so it is always handy.

It is extremely important that all adults in the household, and who are caring for the ill child, know exactly when and where the medicine was given, and if there is more than one of you, also initial it in case someone needs to query something about the last dose. At the time, especially if we are the only adult dealing with it, we think we will remember what happened, but it is amazing how soon things can get muddled in our minds, so noting down anything that seems at all relevant is always a good idea. Also, if the child throws up within 45/50 minutes please note that down, and the rough amount of vomit, and any particular colours, consistency etc.

I hope that he feels better very soon OP, and that you can at least relax about the medicine already given, and I hope you both get a good night's sleep (yes it is fine to let him go to sleep if the medicine you gave him is your only worry). By the way, I am a grandmother now, but I know lots about making mistakes and having accidents with my children when they were younger, which is why over the years I gave quite a lot of thought about how to try and prevent as many as possible 'accidents' as they grew older - but nothing is foolproof, we are all human, and the more stressed we are, the more likely we are to make mistakes. I wish these were real 💐 for you xx

ps. Can you keep the Calpol and Calprofen seperated from each other in the cupboard you keep them in, just to give a little extra time to think about which one you want to give your child.🍫

Thank you! That is all super useful

I've actually got rid of the calprofen! It was the end of the bottle and I don't want to worry about doing it again!

It was myself that gave him the calpol this morning but I totally forgot in my panic! Notepad is a really useful idea thou ! I'm def doing this 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
LIC1985 · 07/10/2022 19:49

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 07/10/2022 19:36

I'd call 111 tbh.

When DS was around the same sort of age we accidentally double dosed him with Calpol and were told he had to be seen by a Dr as a matter of urgency.

He was absolutely fine but not worth the risk

It was the first thing I did. It just took a while for the call back so I thought I would ask here whilst I waited to re assure me and thankfully everyone did .

OP posts: