Trusted by parents for generations, Calpol is a reliable option to keep in your medicine cupboard for when your little one isn’t feeling their best.

Calpol Infant Suspension is a liquid paracetamol-based medicine that provides pain relief and helps reduce fever in infants and children. It’s safe for babies as young as two months old, provided your baby weighs more than 4kg and was not born prematurely.

It’s often used for common issues like teething, earaches, colds, and post-immunisation fevers.

The active ingredient in Calpol, paracetamol, works by blocking the production of chemicals in the brain that signal pain and cause fevers. This helps reduce your child’s temperature and ease discomfort so they feel better quickly. The liquid format is easy to measure and give to infants, making it a hassle-free option for busy parents.

Calpol Infant Suspension Original 120mg/5ml contains the active ingredient paracetamol (120 mg per 5 ml), along with other ingredients including sorbitol solution (E420), glycerol, polysorbate 80, xanthan gum, strawberry flavour, maltitol syrup (E965), carmellose sodium, saccharin sodium, sodium benzoate (E211), and purified water.

It’s sugar-free and contains no artificial colours, making it a suitable choice for most infants. Always check the full list of ingredients in case your child has any known sensitivities or allergies.

For babies aged 2–3 months, the recommended dosage is 2.5ml, and this can be given once, repeated after 4–6 hours if necessary.

From 3 months to 6 years, the dosage varies based on age and weight, so it’s important to follow the guidelines on the packaging.

Use the provided syringe or spoon to give the correct dose. Do not exceed the recommended amount, and avoid giving it for more than three consecutive days without consulting your GP.

Calpol Infant Suspension is suitable for babies aged two months and older, as long as they weigh over 4kg and were born at full term. It’s designed to help relieve fever and pain caused by various everyday issues, including teething, colds, and after vaccinations.

Always check with a healthcare professional if your child has other medical conditions or is taking other medications.

Calpol is generally safe to use alongside many other medications, but if your child takes any other medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist just in case. Paracetamol can interact with some medications, so it’s always best to get professional advice.

For awareness, Calpol (paracetamol) can potentially interact with several medications. Here’s a list of medicines that you should be cautious about when using Calpol:

1. Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants):

• Medications like warfarin may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with long-term or high-dose paracetamol.

2. Enzyme-inducing drugs:

• Medications such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and rifampicin may increase the breakdown of paracetamol in the liver, reducing its effectiveness or increasing the risk of liver toxicity.

3. Other paracetamol-containing products:

• Taking additional products containing paracetamol (like certain cold and flu remedies) alongside Calpol can result in an accidental overdose.

4. Cholestyramine:

• This medication used to lower cholesterol can reduce the absorption of paracetamol, making it less effective.

5. Metoclopramide and domperidone:

• These drugs, used to treat nausea and vomiting, can increase the absorption of paracetamol, potentially leading to quicker or stronger effects.

6. Probenecid:

• Used for treating gout, this drug can reduce the excretion of paracetamol, increasing the risk of side effects.

7. Immunosuppressants (e.g., tacrolimus and cyclosporine):

• May increase the risk of kidney damage when taken with high doses of paracetamol.

8. Alcohol:

• Alcohol consumption can increase the risk of liver damage when combined with paracetamol, especially at higher doses.