Young children with various diseases need special medications and it's not just about the dosage. Some drugs are hard to swallow for babies because of their unpleasant taste. Therefore, in the pharmaceutical industry, drugs have been specifically produced for children for a long time. One of the most common is Panadol syrup. This remedy belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and is used to reduce fever and pain. The drug is relatively safe for the child, and acts effectively.
general characteristics
Panadol syrup is an analgesic and antipyretic drug. Its main active ingredient is the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug paracetamol. It was discovered at the end of the XIX century, but after that it was tested and studied for a long time. The active use of paracetamol began only in the middle of the 20th century, when it was proved to be safe and effective for lowering temperature and reducing pain. This is the most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used even to treat young children.
Syrup "Panadol" based on paracetamol is available as a thick suspension. People began to call the drug a syrup because of its beautiful pink color and pleasant sweet taste. The suspension is thick, with small interspersed crystals. It has a pleasant strawberry flavor, so children drink it easily. The drug is available in dark glass bottles of 100 ml. Necessarily in the package there is a measuring syringe or spoon, which facilitate the accurate dosage of the medicine.
The composition of the drug
This medicine is available in various forms: in tablets, solution for injection, rectal suppositories. But the most popular is the Panadol syrup. Its composition is adapted for use from 3 months of age. Therefore, the drug does not contain alcohol, acetylsalicylic acid and sugar.
5 ml of the drug contains 120 mg of paracetamol. This is the optimal dosage to effectively reduce pain and temperature, but does not cause side effects. In addition, Panadol contains auxiliary substances: malic acid, sorbitol, glucose, citric acid, flavoring.
Why do I need to bring down the temperature?
With various viral and bacterial infections in the human body, processes accompanied by high body temperature occur. With its increase, blood circulation and metabolic processes are accelerated, which contributes to the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms. But this condition adversely affects the work of the heart and nervous system. Especially severely elevated body temperature is carried by young children. They may have convulsions, a violation of the water-salt balance, a strong drop in blood pressure. Therefore, the temperature must be "knocked down."
But it is recommended to do this when it exceeds 38 degrees. After all, the children's body learns to resist infection, forms protective mechanisms and immunity. Especially now there are many drugs that act quickly. The most common is Panadol syrup. Parents just need to monitor the condition of the sick child and often measure the temperature. Doctors recommend giving an antipyretic medicine when the thermometer reaches 38 degrees. But you need to know how long the Panadol syrup works. Relief of the condition of the child does not occur immediately, but after 20-30 minutes.
Action Features
The active substance of the syrup is paracetamol. It acts on inflammatory mediators, blocking them. It is these substances that are produced in large quantities under the influence of bacteria and viruses. They provoke a rise in temperature and inflammation. In addition, paracetamol acts on the center of thermoregulation, reducing its excitability. After administration, this substance is rapidly distributed throughout the body, entering all tissues and fluids.
Paracetamol has a mild effect and low anti-inflammatory activity. After all, when it enters the gastrointestinal tract, it is rapidly destroyed. The drug is excreted by the kidneys and through the intestines within 2-3 hours after administration. But he begins to act in half an hour.
Benefits of using
Compared to other antipyretic and analgesic drugs used for children, Panadol has many advantages:
- begins to act in 20-30 minutes;
- can be used in children from 3 months;
- temperature decreases gradually;
- does not damage the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract;
- well tolerated by children;
- It has a pleasant taste and aroma;
- valid for about 4 hours;
- due to the presence of a measuring syringe, the drug is convenient to dose and easy to give to children.
Indications for use
One of the most effective painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs is Panadol syrup. Instructions for use recommend using it to alleviate the condition of the child in the following cases:
- with flu, acute respiratory viral infections, colds;
- scarlet fever, chickenpox, rubella, measles, mumps;
- to relieve teething pain;
- with headache, pain in the muscles;
- with otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis, tonsillitis;
- to prevent allergic reactions after vaccination.
Contraindications
Despite the relative safety of paracetamol, the drug "Panadol" can not be taken by all children. It is forbidden to use:
- with individual intolerance to the components of the product;
- with blood diseases;
- impaired liver or kidney function;
- children under 3 months.
Side effects
Typically, the drug "Panadol" is well tolerated by the child. But in some cases, allergic reactions or side effects are possible. Most often it is a urticaria, rash and skin itching. Sometimes bronchospasm and even anaphylactic shock are possible. But to prevent such phenomena, it is necessary not to exceed the recommended dosage. And if after the first dose there are undesirable reactions, the drug can no longer be given to the child.
Sometimes there are such side effects as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting. In rare cases, anemia and a change in blood composition are possible.
Syrup "Panadol": instructions for use
This medication is intended for the treatment of children from 3 months to 12 years. It can be used only as directed by a doctor. It is permissible to use the drug once to relieve pain or reduce temperature, but then you should still consult your doctor.
The form of release of the drug is very convenient, so parents usually do not have questions about how to give Panadol syrup to a child. Before taking, shake the liquid in the bottle. Then, draw with the measuring syringe the required amount of suspension. With the same syringe, the drug is squeezed into the baby's mouth. After use, it must be thoroughly washed and dried.
The dosage of the drug is usually prescribed by the attending physician. Most often, syrup is taken 3-4 times a day, that is, every 4-6 hours. The amount of suspension taken at a time depends on age:
- up to 6 months of age in 4 ml;
- up to a year - 5 ml each;
- in 1-2 years - 7 ml;
- up to 3 years 9 ml;
- up to 6 years 10 ml;
- 6-9 years of 14 ml;
- after 9 years of 20 ml.
But most often, the dosage is calculated depending on the weight of the child. It is necessary to give 15 mg per kg of baby's weight. The drug is taken no more than 3-5 days. If after 2-3 days the temperature does not decrease, you need to consult a doctor about choosing another remedy.
Overdose
When taking, it is necessary to strictly observe the exact dosage of the Panadol syrup. Indeed, the severity of side effects will be higher if the permissible amount is exceeded. With prolonged use or even with a large single dose of the drug, paracetamol poisoning is possible. The first symptoms of this condition are abdominal pain, diarrhea, blanching of the skin, excessive sweating, lethargy, and dizziness.
With prolonged excess dosage, chronic poisoning is observed, which is manifested by a violation of the liver and kidneys. Possible renal colic, nephritis, bacteriuria, progressive encephalopathy, necrosis of liver cells. There may be a violation of blood coagulation, thrombocytopenia, a violation of the bone marrow, a decrease in blood sugar. In the most severe cases, a coma may occur.
If an overdose of paracetamol is suspected, gastric lavage is necessary. The child needs to be given adsorbents, for example, activated carbon, Smecta, Enterosgel or Polysorb. A paracetamol antagonist, acetylcysteine, is also indicated. In severe cases, hospitalization and hemodialysis are necessary.
Special instructions when using the drug
It is very important not to combine the use of "Panadol" with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, especially those containing paracetamol. The child's body may inadequately respond to taking several drugs at the same time. For example, when taking anticoagulants, bleeding is possible, and some drugs, together with paracetamol, have a strong toxic effect on the liver. These are chloramphenicol-based products, for example, Levometsetin, as well as Diphenin, Rifampicin, Butadion, Carbamazepine, as well as barbiturates. Therefore, in the complex treatment of a child, the choice of drugs must be determined by the doctor.
You can give the drug to children only after 3 months of age. For babies who are born prematurely, its use should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor. Sometimes Panadol syrup is used during pregnancy to lower the temperature. This tool is the safest compared to other antipyretic drugs, but it is still worth consulting a doctor first.
Analogs of "Panadol"
The pharmaceutical industry produces many different drugs for children based on paracetamol. They may differ in the dosage of the main active substance, the presence of auxiliary components, and the form of release. But if it is impossible to use the Panadol syrup, you can purchase a similar remedy for treating a child:
- Paramol.
- Aminadol.
- "Paracetamol".
- Kalpol.
- Tylenol.
- Daleron.
- Efferalgan.
- "Tsefekon D".
Syrup "Panadol": reviews
This drug is popular with parents, because it effectively relieves pain and copes with high temperature. Doctors also appreciate the effectiveness of the drug and its good tolerance. That is why Panadol is used so often. Many parents note that children like the syrup and they drink it with pleasure. The drug very rarely causes side effects, but it alleviates the condition of the baby well. The advantages of its use also include price. Syrup "Panadol" for children costs about 100 rubles per bottle.