Paracetamol 125mg Suppositories
Information for the user
FOR RECTAL ADMINISTRATION ONLY
Paracetamol 125mg Suppositories
Your medicine is known by the above name, but will be referred to as Paracetamol Suppositories throughout the following leaflet.
Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you and your child.
This medicine is available without prescription. However, you still need to use it carefully to get the best results from it.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
• You must contact your child's doctor if your child's symptoms get worse or do not improve.
• If your child gets any side effects after being given this medicine, please tell a doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
1. What Paracetamol Suppositories are and what they are used for
2. Before you give Paracetamol Suppositories to your child
3. How to give Paracetamol Suppositories to your child
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Paracetamol Suppositories
6. Further information
1. What Paracetamol Suppositories are and what they are used for
Paracetamol Suppositories contain a medicine called paracetamol. Paracetamol is one of a group of medicines called pain-killers (analgesics). A suppository is a small, torpedo-shaped medicine which is inserted into the back passage (rectum). Paracetamol Suppositories are used to treat pain and high temperature (fever) in babies and children from the age of 1 year. They are used by children who find it difficult to take paracetamol as tablets or syrup.
2. Before you give Paracetamol Suppositories to your child
Do not give your child these suppositories if:
• They are allergic to paracetamol or to the other main ingredient which is called 'hard fat'.
Take special care with Paracetamol Suppositories
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using these suppositories if
• Your child has liver or kidney problems.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your child's doctor or pharmacist if your child is taking, or has recently taken, any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription and herbal medicines. This is because the suppositories can affect the way some medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on Paracetamol Suppositories. In particular, tell your child's doctor or pharmacist if your child is taking any of the following:
• Other medicines that contain paracetamol - do not give your child Paracetamol Suppositories at the same time.
• Barbiturates (a type of sedative).
• Medicines for epilepsy or fits (also called 'anti-convulsants').
• Medicines such as warfarin for treating blood clots.
Do not give your child alcohol, or any medicines containing alcohol, whilst they are being given these suppositories.
3. How to administer Paracetamol Suppositories to your child
This medicine is for rectal use only.
If your child's doctor or pharmacist has told you how to use this medicine, do exactly as they have told you. Otherwise, follow the instructions below. If you do not understand the instructions, or you are not sure, ask the doctor or pharmacist.
How many Paracetamol Suppositories to give your child
1 to 3 years: One suppository 4 to 6 years: Two suppositories
These doses may be repeated up to a maximum of 4 times in 24 hours.
Suppositories should not be given more often than every 4 hours.
If you are not sure how many suppositories to give your child, don't guess, ask your child's doctor or a pharmacist.
Do not give your child this medicine for more than 3 days, without speaking to your child's doctor.
Do not give your child more suppositories than stated above.
How to use Paracetamol Suppositories
1. Your child's bowels need to be empty when you give them this medicine. If your child needs to go to the toilet, make sure they do so before you give them the suppository.
2. You may find it easier to give your child the suppository if they are lying on their front or side. Do whichever is more comfortable for your child.
3. Wash your hands. Then peel the wrapping apart to remove the suppository.
Do not break the suppository before use.
4. Gently push the suppository into your child's back passage, pointed end first. Then wash your hands.
5. Try to keep your child still for a minute or two.
6. If your child needs to be given another suppository, remove another one from the wrapper. Then insert it into your child's back passage as before. Once again you should try to keep your child still for a minute or two. Then wash your hands
If you forget to give Paracetamol Suppositories to your child
• Give them as soon as you remember, then go on as before.
• However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose.
• Do not give your child a double dose (two doses at the same time) next time, to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you give too many Paracetamol Suppositories to your child
section called "How many Paracetamol
overdose, even if the child seems well,
• Do not give your child more suppositories than stated in the Suppositories to give your child"
• Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Paracetamol Suppositories can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The following side effects can happen with this medicine.
Common (affects more than 1 in 100 people)
• Redness or soreness in or around the back passage.
Rare (affects less than 1 in 1,000 people)
• Allergic reactions.
• Skin problems such as a rash or itching.
• Blood problems. If these happen, your child may bruise or bleed more easily, get infections more easily, or get a high temperature (fever) and ulcers in the mouth and throat.
• Liver problems.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Paracetamol Suppositories
• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
• Do not store above 25°C. Keep in the outer packaging to protect from light.
• Do not remove the suppositories from the blister until immediately before use.
• Do not use after the expiry date shown on this pack. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• If your medicine becomes discoloured or shows any other signs of deterioration, you should seek the advice of your pharmacist who will tell you what to do.
• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Further information
What Paracetamol Suppositories contain
Each suppository contains 125mg paracetamol. The other ingredient is Witepsol S58.
What Paracetamol Suppositories look like and contents of the pack
Each suppository is a white, torpedo shaped suppository.
Each pack contains 10 white suppositories and each suppository is separately packed in a perforated plastic film.
PL 15814/1149
Manufactured by Przedsiebiorstwo Produkcji Farmaceutycznej Hasco-Lek S.A., Wroclaw, Poland.
Procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence holder: O.P.D. Laboratories Ltd., Unit 6 Colonial Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4PR.
Leaflet revision and issue date (Ref.) 01.04.2016.
To request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call 01923 332 796.