Panadol Syrup: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Panadol Syrup is a liquid medicine containing paracetamol, used to temporarily relieve pain and reduce fever in children. It can help with conditions such as earache, teething, headache, and cold and flu symptoms, as well as discomfort linked to immunisation. The syrup can be given with water or fruit juice and should be measured using the dosing device provided.

What is Panadol Syrup

Panadol Syrup is a liquid medicine containing paracetamol. It is used to temporarily relieve pain and reduce fever in children.

Panadol Syrup uses

• Temporary relief of pain, fever and discomfort linked to immunisation
• Earache
• Cold and flu symptoms
• Teething
• Headache
• Reducing fever
• Relief of mild to moderate pain such as headaches, toothaches, backaches and menstrual pain

Benefits of Panadol Syrup

• Provides effective temporary relief of pain and discomfort
• Reduces fever
• Comes as a liquid that can be given with water or fruit juice

How Panadol Syrup works

Paracetamol stops pain messages from reaching the brain. It also acts in the brain to lower fever by affecting the part that controls body temperature.

Panadol Syrup dosage

Follow all directions given by your pharmacist or doctor carefully. Do not take more frequently than every four hours. Use the smallest dose needed to treat symptoms and for the shortest time necessary. Shake the bottle thoroughly before use. This medicine can be given with water or fruit juice. Use the dosing device provided to measure accurately. Only give paracetamol to children for up to 48 hours at a time unless a doctor has told you to give it for longer. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

Available forms and strengths

• Suspension (liquid)
• Bottles of 100 mL and 200 mL

Side effects of Panadol Syrup

Common

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Rash
• Itching
• Products containing sorbitol and maltitol may have a laxative effect or cause diarrhoea

Serious

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or other parts of the body
• Allergic skin reactions such as rash, peeling, itching or hives
• Mouth ulcers
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding
• Symptoms of metabolic acidosis such as deep rapid breathing, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite
• Serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Signs of a serious liver problem such as pain in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, yellow eyes or skin

Warnings and precautions

• Do not give more than the recommended dose as it may cause serious harm to your child's liver.
• Do not use this medicine if your child is taking any other medicine that contains paracetamol.
• This medicine contains maltitol and sorbitol. People with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take it.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
• Do not give this medicine for more than 48 hours unless a doctor has told you to.
• Ask your pharmacist or  a risk of drowsiness; therefore avoid using it while driving.doctor about using paracetamol if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
•  Paracetamol is suitable for breastfeeding mothers. 
• Tell your pharmacist or doctor if your child has or has had kidney problems, as you may need to avoid this product or limit the amount of paracetamol given.
•  Tell your pharmacist or doctor if your child has or has had liver problems, as you may need to avoid this product or limit the amount of paracetamol given.
•  If you will be taking more than an occasional dose of paracetamol, do not drink alcohol, as this may increase the chance of liver damage. Its use has shown

Storage

• Keep your medicine in the original pack until it is time to take it.
• Keep your medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30ºC. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not store this medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in a car.
• Keep it where children cannot reach it.
• A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
• Ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over, or if the expiry date has passed.

When to see a doctor

• Contact a doctor immediately if you think your child may be affected by metabolic acidosis, with signs such as deep, rapid, difficult breathing, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite or drowsiness.
• If you think your child or anyone else has taken too much, immediately contact your doctor or your local poison control center, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if there are no signs of discomfort, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage.
• If any serious side effect happens, stop using the product and tell your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
• Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have upper stomach pain or tenderness, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin, as these could be signs of a serious liver problem.

Alternatives

• Calpol Suspension
• Disprol Suspension
• Generic Paracetamol Oral Suspension