Paracetamol 250mg/5ml Oral Suspension
Paracetamol 250mg/5ml Oral Suspension
PL 20941/0005
Leaflet Text
3226/2
Patient Information Leaflet Paracetamol 250mg/5ml Oral Suspension
Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you.
This medicine is available without a prescription. However, you still need to use Paracetamol Oral Suspension 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 a doctor if your or your child’s symptoms worsen or do not improve after 3 days.
• If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet
1. What this medicine is for
2. Before using this medicine
3. How to take this medicine
4. Possible side effects
5. Storing your medicine
6. Further information
1. What this medicine is for
Paracetamol belongs to a group of medicines called analgesics that help to ease pain.
It is used to treat mild to moderate pain and other conditions such as headaches, toothache, earache, sore throat, colds & influenza, aches and pains and to bring down fever (high temperature) including fever caused by immunisation.
2. Before using this medicine
This medicine is suitable for most people but a few people should not use it. If you are in any doubt, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not take or give your child this medicine if you/your child.....
• has ever had a bad reaction to any of the ingredients (see section 6).
• is taking anything else with paracetamol in it. Paracetamol is often included in cold and flu remedies, and in other medicines you can buy (such medicines have "contains paracetamol" printed on the pack).
If any of these apply, get advice from a pharmacist or doctor without using Paracetamol Oral Suspension.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you/your child...
• has serious kidney or liver problems.
• are dependent on alcohol.
• has an inherited intolerance to some sugars.
• If your child is taking any other medicines including:
• metoclopramide or domperidone (used to treat nausea and vomiting)
• colestyramine (used to treat high cholesterol)
• anticoagulants (drugs that thin the blood, such as warfarin)
• anticonvulsants (drugs to treat epilepsy)
If you are not sure about the medicine your child is taking, show the bottle or pack to your pharmacist.
If any of these apply, get advice from a pharmacist or doctor without using Paracetamol Oral Suspension.
If adults take this medicine:
The following additional warnings are included in case an adult takes this product:
• You can use this medicine while you are taking oral contraceptives (‘the pill’), but it may not work so well on your pain or fever.
• If you drink large amounts of alcohol you may be more open to side effects of paracetamol.
Pregnancy and Breast-feeding
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine if you are:
• pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
• breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
Your medicine is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or to operate machinery.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Paracetamol Oral Suspension
• Maltitol liquid: If you have been told by your doctor that you or your child have intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
• Sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E219) and Sodium propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E217): May cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
3. How to take this medicine
Check the table below to see how much of the medicine to use
• For oral use only.
• It is important to shake the bottle for at least 10 seconds before use.
• Do not take more medicine than the label tells you to. If you do not get better, talk to your doctor.
• Do not take anything else containing paracetamol while taking this medicine.
• Do not overfill the spoon.
• Always use the spoon supplied with the pack. The big spoon measures 5ml and the small spoon measures 2.5ml.
|
Child’s Age |
How much to give |
|
6 - 8 years: |
One 5 ml spoonful (large end) four times a day. |
|
8 - 10 years: |
One 5 ml spoonful (large end) and one 2.5 ml spoonful (small end) four times a day. |
|
10 - 12 years: |
Two 5 ml spoonfuls (large end) four times a day. |
|
12-16 years: |
Two - three 5ml spoonfuls (large end) up to 4 times a day. |
|
Adults and children over 16 years: |
Two - four 5ml spoonfuls (large end) up to 4 times a day. |
• Do not give more than 4 doses in any 24 hour period
• Leave at least 4 hours between doses
• Do not give this medicine to your child for more than 3 days without speaking to your
doctor or pharmacist
• Do not give to children under the age of 6 years Speak to your doctor...
• If your child needs more than the doses shown in the table, or if fever doesn’t go away, speak to your doctor as soon as possible.
• If you are not sure of the cause of your child’s illness or it is accompanied by rash, breathing difficulties, diarrhoea or excessive tiredness or lethargy, speak to your doctor straight away. Do not give Paracetamol Oral Suspension until you get medical advice.
If you give more Paracetamol Oral Suspension than you should
If you accidentally take or give an overdose of this medicine, either call your doctor straight away, or go to your nearest hospital casualty department. Always take any remaining medicine, the container and the label with you, so that the medicine can be identified.
Talk to a doctor at once if you take too much of this medicine even if you feel well. This is because too much Paracetamol can cause delayed, serious liver damage.
There may be no symptoms during the first 24 hours although loss of colour, feeling sick, vomiting and abdominal pain may occur.
If you forget to give this medicine
Give the next dose when needed provided that the last dose was given at least 4 hours ago.
Do not give a double dose.
If you are worried, or not sure of when or how to use this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
4. Possible side effects
Paracetamol Oral Suspension can have side effects, like all medicines, although these don’t affect everyone and are usually mild.
If any of the following happen, stop giving Paracetamol Oral Suspension and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital.
• allergic reactions including swelling of the face, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing, unexplained wheezing, shortness of breath which may be accompanied by skin rashes or hives.
• becoming unusually tired, unexpected bruising or bleeding and getting more infections (such as colds) than usual. These are very rare effects in people taking paracetamol.
• very rare cases of serious skin reactions have been reported. Symptoms may include: skin reddening, blisters, rash. If skin reactions occur or existing skin symptoms worsen, stop use and seek medical help right away.
If your child shows any of these signs, stop giving paracetamol and talk to a doctor right away.
Long term use:
People who use medicines containing paracetamol every day for a long time (several months or more) could get certain side effects, including liver and kidney damage.
People taking paracetamol in the usual way for shorter periods have not had these problems, but liver function tests may be affected.
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. Storing your medicine
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not store above 25°C. Store the container in the outer carton. Discard after 2 months of first opening.
• Do not use Paracetamol Oral Suspension after the expiry date which is stated on the bottle after Exp:. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Medicines should not be disposed 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
Each 5ml of suspension contains 250mg Paracetamol.
It also contains glycerol, polysorbate 80, xanthan gum (E415), maltitol liquid (E965), sodium saccharin (E954), citric acid monohydrate, sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E219), sodium propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E217), strawberry flavour (containing propylene glycol) and purified water.
Each bottle contains 80ml of oral suspension.
The Marketing Authorisation for Paracetamol Oral Suspension (PL 20941/0005) is held by Edict Consulting Ltd., 49 Ivinghoe Road, Bushey, Herts WD23 4SW.
It is manufactured and distributed by Percuro Medica Ltd., Cunard Road, Park Royal, London NW10 6PN.
Contact us at the above address for information in large print, audio or braille
Leaflet created: September 2015 CODE: 3226/2