12/10/2026
As a parent, when your child is unwell it can be a worrying time. Effective over the counter (OTC) medicines are readily available, which when given as directed will help your child feel better. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are the most common of these medicines and can provide effective relief for children from pain, fever, colds and flu.
HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN USING THEM;
🔵 Always store medicines out of reach and sight of children.
🟢 Read the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) before giving your child any medication. Keep the PIL as you may need to read it again.
🔴 Never give more than the recommended daily dose.
🔵 Never leave a medicine bottle beside your or your child's bed overnight if you need to give a night time dose. The lids on these bottles are child resistant and NOT child proof. Children can open them.
🟢 If you are giving paracetamol and/or ibuprofen it is useful to keep a record of the time and dose given. This is helpful when more than one person is giving the medicine(s) to a child.
🔴 If your child's symptoms persist for more than 3 days, stop the OTC medicine(s) and contact your GP or pharmacist.
🔵 Paracetamol and ibuprofen are available as liquid, tablet and suppository. Take care not to give products that contain the same ingredient. For example, Calpol Infant Suspension and Paralink Suppositories both contain paracetamol.
🟢 If you have "Infant' and '6+' preparations of paracetamol and ibuprofen in your home at the same time, store them separately and familiarise yourself with the label. Some bottles can look alike and the wrong medicine can be given by mistake.
DID YOU KNOW?
🔴 IBUPROFEN should only be given 3 times in a 24 hour period (not more frequently than 6 hour intervals) and PARACETAMOL be given 4 times in a 24 hour period (not more frequently than 4 hour intervals) to a child.
Call the Poison Centre on 01-8092166 if you suspect your child has been given or taken too much paracetamol or ibuprofen.
National Poisons Information Centre, Beaumont Hospital.
