What should I do if my child takes too much paracetamol syrup?

 If your child takes too much paracetamol syrup, you should act quickly and seek medical help as soon as possible. Paracetamol overdose can cause serious and potentially fatal liver damage, especially in children. The symptoms of paracetamol overdose may not appear until several hours or days after the ingestion, so do not wait for your child to feel unwell before getting help.


The amount of paracetamol syrup that can cause an overdose depends on your child's age and weight. Generally, the recommended dose of paracetamol syrup for children is 10 to 15 mg per 1 kilogram of body weight, given every 4 to 6 hours as needed, with no more than 4 doses in 24 hours⁴⁵. For example, for a child who is 2 to 4 years old and weighs about 15 kg, the dose is 7.5 ml of infant syrup (or 180 mg) every 4 to 6 hours⁴. If your child takes more than this amount, they may have taken an overdose.


The first thing you should do is call your local poison control center or emergency number for advice. They will ask you some questions about your child's age, weight, how much paracetamol syrup they took, when they took it, and if they have any symptoms. They will also tell you what to do next and whether you need to take your child to the hospital or not.


If you are advised to take your child to the hospital, bring the bottle of paracetamol syrup with you and any other medicines your child may have taken. Do not try to make your child vomit or give them anything to eat or drink unless instructed by a medical professional. Your child may need a blood test to measure the amount of paracetamol in their blood and an antidote called N-acetylcysteine, which is given as an infusion into their vein. The antidote can help prevent liver damage if given within 8 hours of the overdose³⁵.


Paracetamol overdose is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Do not delay seeking help if you suspect your child has taken too much paracetamol syrup. The sooner you get help, the better the chances of recovery for your child.


Source: Conversation with Bing, 9/16/2023

(1) Paracetamol overdose: symptoms, effects and treatments - NetDoctor. https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/wellbeing/a28355/paracetamol-overdose/.

(2) Paracetamol Overdose: Patient Information - Te Whatu Ora. https://edu.cdhb.health.nz/Patients-Visitors/patient-information-pamphlets/Documents/Paracetamol%20Overdose%20Issue%201.pdf.

(3) Paracetamol Overdose: Symptoms and Treatment | Patient. https://patient.info/treatment-medication/paracetamol-overdose.

(4) Paracetamol poisoning - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol_poisoning.

(5) . https://bing.com/search?q=paracetamol+overdose+symptoms+and+treatment.

(6) Acetaminophen Overdose: Symptoms, Treatment and More - Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/acetaminophen-overdose.

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