What is Calpol Infant Suspension?

Calpol Infant Suspension is a pain relief medicine which can help to ease pain and fever in children aged between 2 months and 6 years old. This sugar-free formula has a delicious strawberry flavour, so there’ll be no complaints when it’s time for your little one to take their medicine.

What kinds of pain can this medicine help to ease?

Calpol can help to ease lots of different aches and pains that your little one may be suffering with. Some of the most popular reasons why people use this medicine include:

• Teething pain
• Headache
• Cold and flu symptoms
• Toothache
• Earache
• Sore throat
• Other aches and pains
• High temperature
• Post-immunisation fever

How will this medicine help to ease my child’s pain?

Calpol Infant Suspension contains 120mg of the active ingredient paracetamol in every 5ml dose. Paracetamol is a popular painkiller which doesn’t just relieve pain, but can help to bring down high temperatures or fever too.

Can I give this to my child if they are taking other painkillers?

Calpol Infant can be taken at the same time as some other painkillers, such as ibuprofen, if one painkiller isn’t enough to ease pain. However, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before doing this, to be sure that your medicines won’t interact and will be safe for your child.

Can my child take this product if they are taking other medication?

If your child is taking any other medication, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product. Some medications may interact when they are taken together, making them less effective or causing unwanted side effects. Tell your doctor if your child is taking:

• Metoclopramide or domperidone, which are used to treat nausea and vomiting
• Cholestyramine, which is used to treat high cholesterol
• Anticoagulants, which are used to thin the blood, e.g. Warfarin
• Anticonvulsants, which are used to treat epilepsy

Can adults take this medicine?

Adults can take Calpol Infant but there are some additional warnings they will need to consider before use:

• You can take this medicine if you are taking oral contraceptives, also known as the pill, but it may not work as well to ease your pain or fever.
• If you drink large amounts of alcohol, you may be more likely to experience the side effects of this medication.
• You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it may not be suitable for you at this time.

How to use Calpol Infant Suspension

Shake the bottle well for at least 10 seconds before each use. Remove the cap and insert the end of the syringe into the hole in the neck of the bottle. Ensuring the syringe is secured, turn both the bottle and syringe upside down. Gently pull down the plunger of the syringe to measure either a 2.5ml or 5ml dose, then turn the bottle and syringe back the right way up. Remove the syringe from the bottle and place the end into your child’s mouth, holding it against their cheek. Slowly press down on the plunger to release the medicine, pausing to let your child swallow if necessary. Clean the syringe thoroughly after every use.

How much of this medicine should I give to my child?

The amount of Calpol you’ll need to give to your child will depend on their age and what you wish to treat. To ease pain and fever, use the following doses:

• Children aged 2 – 3 months who weigh more than 4kg or 8.8lbs and were born after 37 weeks: Give 1 x 2.5ml dose. Give a second 2.5ml dose after 4 – 6 hours if necessary. Do not give more than 2 doses in a 24-hour period.
• Children aged 3 – 6 months: Give a 2.5ml dose up to 4 times a day
• Children aged 2 – 24 months: Give a 5ml dose up to 4 times a day
• Children aged 2 – 4 years: Give a 7.5ml (5ml + 2.5ml) dose up to 4 times a day
• Children aged 4 – 6 years: Give a 10ml (2 x 5ml) dose up to 4 times a day
• Children aged 6+: Ask your doctor to recommend a more suitable product

Do not give more than 4 doses in any 24-hour period. Leave at least 4 hours between each dose. Do not give your child this medicine for more than 3 days without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

To ease post immunisation fever in children aged 2 – 4 months, give one 2.5ml dose up to 4 times a day starting at the time of vaccination. Do not give more than 4 doses in any 24-hour period. If your baby still needs to take Calpol 2 days after receiving their vaccination, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

When should Calpol Infant Suspension not be used?

Calpol Infant Suspension is not suitable for children who are younger than 2 months old. Children who are aged between 2 – 3 months should not be given this medicine if they weigh less than 4kg or 8.8lbs or were born before 37 weeks. Do not use this product if you or your child are allergic to paracetamol or any of the other listed ingredients. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist

Does this product have any side effects?

Like all medicines, Calpol Infant Suspension can have side effects, although not everyone will experience them. These include:

• Allergic reactions, e.g. swelling of the face, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing, unexplained wheezing, shortness of breath, which may be accompanied by skin rash or hives
• Becoming unusually tired, unexpected bruising or bleeding, getting more infections, such as colds, than usual
• Very rare cases of serious skin reactions have been reported. Symptoms include: skin reddening, blisters, rash

If you experience these or any other side effects while using this product, stop use and speak to your doctor as soon as possible. For more information about reporting the side effects of medication, please see the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme.

How to store this medicine?

Store in a cool, dry place which is below 25 degrees C. Store in original packaging and store bottle in outer carton. Do not use if expiry date printed on packaging has passed. Keep out of sight and reach of children.

Important Information

This product is a medicine; make sure to speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or our pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or our pharmacist if this medicine is right for you.

Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before using this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.

Helpful Advice on Medication Restrictions & Addiction

If you are concerned about addiction to 'over the counter' medication, we urge you to visit the below links for professional help and advice:

• NHS Help & Advice on Drug Addiction
• Talk To Frank - Drug Addiction Help & Support