Hi, all parents will have heard and proberly used calpol. But seen as calpol has been around since 1966 an is always recommended by health care professionals this is undestandable.

I have given calpol to Rhian and Ross since they were little for teething and pains. There is calpol available for over 3 months - to six years and the calpol six plus.

Calpol does comes in two different flavours blackcurrent and stawberry, though strawberry flavour (which is sugar free) this is the only one that Rhian and Ross will have as the taste of the other is "minging" Bless!!

You can buy Calpol sixplus over the counter in a bottle with 100mls in it, or the sachets which contain 5ml and there are 10 in a pack. In each. Per every 5mls of calpol there is 250mg paracetamol. Also your GP can also prescribe this, so you don't have to pay!!

Calpol for the over 3 months - six years, which again can be bought over the counter in either 70 or 140mls bottle, also supplied is a double ended spoon which indicates 2.5ml - 5mls. Per every 5mls of calpol there is 120mg paracetamol.

I have the bottle sorted in the medicine cabinet (although there is a spoon provided that indicated the 5mls… the kids like having the 5ml syringe and squirting it in there gobs!!) And the sachets in my bag for emergency use!! They love to have the sachets as they feel all grown up.

**what's it for?!?**

The calpol sixplus is obviously for children over the age of 6; it's stated that it is for "pain & fever relief for children". I have given calpol to Rhian and Ross for headaches, toothaches and stomach aches. Also when Ross had a chest Infection it was very effective in reducing his temperature.

Again with Ross following a hernia operation and when he had to have a general anaesthetic to have his teeth pulled gave him calpol and bless him it did get rid of most off the pain. When Rhian had an ear infection and kept me up all night, a dose of calpol and she was running about!

Calpol has proved very effective as a pain killer for the kids, and is used for mild to moderate pain.

The calpol 3 months - to six, also state that it should be used as a painkiller, to bring temperatures down and is also used as the treatment for post immunization fever.

The paracetamol base makes it suitable for headaches, migraines, toothache, teething, colds and flu.


**Flavour**

The strawberry flavour is slightly thick white liquid which really does smell of strawberries so not completely off putting when seeing and smelling it. Which is a VERY good thing as any one will tell you trying to get kids to take medicine that's a funny colour and smells and tastes disgusting is NOT easy!!!!

Well Rhian decided to go though a phase of im not taking it unless you taste it!! GRRR, personally I though it tasted very sweet and well gross - but the kids like it!


** Do not take if's**

You should not give your child this if they have had a reaction to any of the ingredients listed.
Also you need to ensure that your child is not taking any other paracetamol based medication.


**Cautions**

Special care need to be taken if your child has the following:
Any liver or kidney problems or has an inherited intolerance to fructose (this is because of the sorbitol content in calpol sugar free suspension). If they do then discuss with your General Practioner before giving Calpol to your child.


**Side effects**

The Glycerol and sorbitol can sometimes cause upset stomachs, diarrhoea and headaches.
Possible reactions include: skin reactions or any other allergy.
Occasionally tiredness, unexpected bruising and bleeding and can become prone to more infections.

Also it is warning that long term use of paracetamol can cause liver damage.


**Other medication warnings**

You need to discuss with your Doctor if it's advisable for your child to take calpol if they are taking Metoclopramide or domperidone (which are anti sickness medication).
Cholestyramine (used in the treatment of high cholesterol). Anti-coagulants (such as aspirin or warfarin that thins your blood). Anticonvulsants ( used in the treatment of epilepsy). Or if your child is taking any tricyclic antidepressants or sedatives.


**Dose**

Calpol sixplus;
For children 6-12 yrs old, one or two 5 mls spoonfuls (250 - 500mg)
Children over 12 and adults, two to four spoonfuls (500mg- 1 G)

Calpol 3mhs +,
Children 3-12 months- one to two 2.5mls spoonfuls (60-120mg paracetamol)
Children 1-6 years- one to two 5ml spoonfuls (120-140mg paracetamol)


In the calpol 3 months to six and the calpol sixplus it should be given up to four times a day if necessary and a gap of 4-6 hours left between doses. Also it is stated that you should not use for more than 3 days with out consulting a doctor.

** If you're an adult taking calpol **

The warnings are for adults that you are able to use while taking oral contraceptives, that you should not drink large qualities of alcohol while taking this, and that you should consult your GP if you are breast feeding before taking this.

In conclusion calpol is a fab medication that is very effective as a pain killer for the kiddies, to which they have never had any side effects for and the pain relief normally kicks in after appox 20 mins.

**You should store the Calpol away from children, somewhere that is below 25 degrees C. keep an eye out for the expiry date.

Also you should read the info leaflet that is provided in the container!

The price for the bottles of 100mls is approx £3.50 (though will vary where you get it from) the sachets are slightly cheaper at £2.75 (again depending on where they are bought). Though will admit that I tend to get mine from boots so I can collect the points!!

Other Calpol products are the calgel - teething gel.
Calprofen - with is ibuprofen.
Calpol Fast melts.