In pharmacies, many antipyretic drugs for children and adults are sold. One of them is Paracetamol. It is given to a child to restore temperature and eliminate pain of various localization. For children's use, the drug is released in the form of a suspension and suppositories. But ordinary tablets are also used. The rules for using the drug are described in the article.
Release form
Paracetamol tablets are produced by different companies, therefore, in pharmacies there are not only drugs with the same name, but also tablets on which there is a note about the manufacturer.
The solid form of the drug is presented in the form of small round white tablets. They are packaged in blisters and sold in boxes of 10 pieces or more. It is this form that is considered the most common.
Other forms
For the manufacture of this tool, all pharmacological forms are used. They differ in the method of application and the amount of the main component. The doctor always clarifies when prescribing the remedy which "Paracetamol" is allowed to give to children. The most popular forms of drug release:
- Syrup. It is convenient to use for children from 3 months. The syrup has a sweet taste with bitterness, sometimes a fruit flavor is added to it. 1 ml of syrup contains 24 mg of the active ingredient, the rest of the volume contains auxiliary components that are allowed for children. The product is sold in 50 ml and 100 ml bottles. How to give "Paracetamol" to children in this form? Up to 1 year, the dosage is 5 ml. Then the dose is calculated by weight. To bring down the temperature in this way is allowed no more than 4 times a day for three days. The main disadvantage of the syrup is that it is presented in the form of a diluted suspension with chemical components, therefore it is considered less effective. This product can not be diluted with water, it is advisable to drink it after taking it.
- Suspension. By consistency, the product is soft and liquid, but more viscous compared to syrup. "Paracetamol" in suspension for children is allowed from 2 months. There is no sugar in the medicine. The bottle can be in a capacity of 50 or 100 ml. An allergy to the active ingredient is considered a contraindication. "Paracetamol" in a suspension for children aged 1-3 months is prescribed 2 ml. In 3-12 months - 2.5-5 ml, 1-6 years - 5-10 ml. Children from 6 years of age are given a suspension of 10-20 ml.
- Candles They are administered rectally. Candles have a different size: from 0.125 g to 1.0 g. In this form, the drug can be used to lower the temperature in babies from 3 months of age. Candles are preferable to give at night. They effect occurs after an hour, but it lasts longer compared to tablets or syrup.
Structure
The main component of this medication is paracetamol. The amount of active substance in tablets may be different - 200 or 500 mg. 325 mg drug is sold abroad.
Additional components vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. These may include gelatin, starch, povidone, etc. Paracetamol should be given to the child if there is no allergy to these substances.
Act
The child "Paracetamol" should be given only if necessary. After the drug penetrates the stomach, it is rapidly absorbed, and then the component enters the brain tissue with blood flow and affects the centers of pain and thermoregulation. In such centers, due to the action of this compound, cyclooxygenase is blocked, so the pain goes away and the body temperature normalizes.
In peripheral tissues, the action of the drug blocks cellular peroxidase. Due to their presence, the anti-inflammatory effect of the drug is almost absent, but it does not have a side effect.
Is there a danger to the child's body
At the metabolic stage, the drug in the liver transforms into toxic components. They have a pronounced toxic effect on the liver and the whole body. For this reason, medicine can often not be given to children. Prolonged use can lead to disruption of the liver, as well as adversely affect the baby's kidneys. Therefore, before taking, you need to consult a specialist.
Doctors often prescribe drugs with ibuprofen for children under 1 year old. They have a prolonged antipyretic effect, have an antiviral effect, less toxic, but are difficult to perceive by the stomach.
When is the medicine used?
In what cases is Paracetamol given to a child? It is used:
- As an antipyretic drug at high temperature, which appeared due to vaccination, childhood infection, flu and other ailments.
- As a painkiller for mild or moderate pain.
Is the drug allowed for children
As indicated in the instructions, the medicine in tablets should not be given to children under 6 years of age. But for a child older than this age, it will be effective. What "Paracetamol" can be given to children under 6 years old? At this age, suspensions or suppositories are needed.
The medicine in these forms is given from three months. They are relieved of pain and temperature in preschoolers. When treating children under one year old, Paracetamol has proven to be an effective agent. Suspensions and suppositories can be given over 7-8 years of age if it is difficult for them to swallow a tablet.
When you can not use "Paracetamol"
Tablets should not be given to a child with:
- intolerance to paracetamol or other excipients;
- ulcer and erosive changes in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract;
- bleeding of the walls of the digestive tract.
The medicine cannot be used if there is a serious blood disease, liver function is impaired or renal failure is detected. It is necessary to consult a doctor. Perhaps another effective remedy will be recommended.
Side effects
Taking the medicine can cause skin itching, rashes, and other signs of allergies. Rarely, tablets negatively affect blood formation, the state of the gastrointestinal tract, or liver function. If there are side effects, you need to cancel the medication, and show the child a doctor.
Application rules
How to give "Paracetamol" to children? It is used 1-3 times a day. The tablets are swallowed 1-2 hours after eating, washed down with water. How is the dosage determined for children? "Paracetamol" (200 mg or 500 mg) is given based on the age of the patient. This is important to consider so as not to harm. What is the dosage of Paracetamol (200 mg) for children? If the patient is from 6 to 12 years old, then the maximum daily dose is 2000 mg. Specialists individually prescribe from 200 to 500 mg every four hours as needed.
Adult “Paracetamol" children are allowed only if there is evidence. It is important to consider contraindications and side effects. As indicated in the instructions, for children "Paracetamol" (500 mg) in the form of tablets can be used only when they reach the age of 6 years. Depending on age, the maximum allowable daily dose has been established: 1.5 g for 6-9 years old, 2 g - 9-12 years old and 4 g - from 12 years old.
If the drug is prescribed for pain, then the duration of administration reaches 5 days, and longer treatment should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor. When tablets are prescribed as an antipyretic, the course should not exceed three days.
Overdose
When a child takes a lot of pills, it can lead to vomiting, stomach cramps, upset stool, and other negative signs of gastrointestinal irritation. A very high dose of the drug is considered dangerous for the liver, and since signs of damage to this organ do not appear immediately and can cause serious consequences, an overdose of the child should be shown to the doctor (even with normal health).
Combination with other means
As evidenced by numerous reviews, children's "Paracetamol" when taken normally has a positive effect on the body. Just do not combine taking the drug with other medicines with the same main component, as this increases the risk of overdose. Without a doctor’s prescription, tablets with other antipyretic drugs, for example, with acetylsalicylic acid or Ibuprofen, should not be given.
In the annotation to the drug there is an extensive list of other drugs that cannot be combined with it. If the child is taking another medication, then it is necessary to clarify whether it is permissible to combine it with these tablets. Attentive attitude to this issue will prevent negative consequences.
Terms of sale
Paracetamol can be bought without a prescription. The cost depends on the manufacturer, dosage, pharmacy chain and region. So, 10 tablets (200 mg) cost from 5 to 120 rubles, syrup (120 mg / 5 ml) - 120-150 rubles, rectal suppositories (250 mg, 6 pcs.) - 130-150 rubles. According to reviews, children's "Paracetamol" can be bought at each pharmacy.
Storage
The shelf life of the drug is different for all manufacturers, but, as a rule, is 3 years or 5 years. You need to store the medicine at home at +25 degrees, placing it in a place inaccessible to children.
Effervescent tablets
This drug is produced by the Hemofarm company (Serbia). From 10 to 20 white round tablets are packed in a plastic tube. They contain 330 mg of paracetamol and 200 mg of ascorbic acid. Excipients: citric acid, carbonate, benzoate, docusate, saccharin and sodium bicarbonate, lactose monohydrate, povidone. Judging by the reviews, many doctors recommend just such a remedy.
Such tablets are given to children from 6 years. The product is dissolved in water (1 cup), and then the resulting solution is drunk. Patients 6-9 years old are given only half a tablet from one to three times a day. The maximum single dose is 1 tablet, daily - 3 tablets. With age, the dosage increases. So, children 9-12 years old can take up to 6 tablets per day, and from 12 years old - up to 12 tablets.
"Paracetamol Extratab"
This medication is released in the form of white-yellow oblong tablets. They contain not only 500 mg of paracetamol, but also 150 mg of ascorbic acid.
The medicine is considered an analogue of Paracetamol Extra powders, which can be given from 6 years. It is prescribed as an antipyretic agent for acute respiratory viral infections and / or as an analgesic for mild non-inflammatory origin of the pain syndrome, neuralgia. In the period from 6-12 years, "Paracetamol Extratab" take ½ tablets up to 4 times a day. Adolescents over 12 years of age, as well as adult patients, need one tablet.
Similar means
An excellent replacement for the drug can be tablet preparations with the same active substance, for example, Efferalgan or Panadol. Instead of these drugs, the doctor may prescribe a remedy with a similar therapeutic effect - Ibuprofen, Mig 400, Faspik. The basis of these tablets is ibuprofen, which also reduces the temperature, but its effect is longer - up to 6-8 hours.
Sometimes, instead of antipyretic drugs, pediatricians prescribe other tablets. These may be such drugs as Voltaren, Nise, Nimesil. But it is undesirable to use these drugs without specialist supervision, because they have age restrictions and contraindications.
Recommendations for taking paracetamol
For the treatment of children, it is preferable to use suppositories, syrups and suspensions, especially for babies up to 1 year old. To reduce the harmful effects on the liver, the medicine is given after meals. A dose of 150 mg per 1 kg of weight is dangerous for the body of children. In case of an overdose, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Sometimes at high temperature, which is difficult to bring down, doctors prescribe Nurofen and Paracetamol. Drugs give with a certain time period. "Nurofen" acts for a long time.
Thus, Paracetamol is effective in lowering the temperature. It is only necessary to observe the dosage and take into account the rules of use indicated in the instructions, and then the treatment will be effective.