The Gambia asked - importers and stores to suspend sales of all brands of "Paracetamol" syrup, so what is the reason for that? And what is this treatment? How does it work? Does it have risks to children?
This comment is due to the fact that there is a suspicion of a link between paracetamol and the death of dozens of young children, and the government has launched an investigation into this. The head of the Gambia's health system said that the investigation was launched after discovering a rise in acute kidney injury cases among children under the age of five in late July.
What symptoms appeared in children in The Gambia?
The children developed symptoms, including: the inability to urinate, high fever, and vomiting, which quickly led to kidney failure.
Will there be a general ban on Paracetamol syrup in The Gambia?
The drug watchdog said there was not enough data to justify a general ban on paracetamol syrup. The agency did not mention any specific brand, but said that some samples were sent abroad for quality control testing. WHO officials said last week that the evidence did not point to paracetamol, but to a vector source such as contaminated water, but stressed that there were a number of questions that had not yet been answered.
How does paracetamol work?
Paracetamol works by blocking the chemical messages in the brain that tell us we are in pain, and it also reduces fever by affecting chemical messengers in an area of the brain that regulates body temperature.
What are the indications for Paracetamol in children?
Paracetamol is used to treat:
Headache;
Stomach pain.
Ear pain;
Cold symptoms
Lowering a high temperature (fever).
What forms of paracetamol for children?
Paracetamol is available for children in the form of tablets or syrup, and it also comes in the form of suppositories that are useful in relieving pain and high temperature in children who find it difficult to swallow tablets or drink or who are very sick.
You can give your child a suppository from the age of 3 months.
How much does paracetamol need to show its effect in children?
Your child should start to feel better about 30 minutes after taking the tablets or drink, and the suppositories can take up to 60 minutes to take full effect.
What is the dose of paracetamol for children?
Children's paracetamol comes in different doses. The dose and concentration of the syrup depend on the child's age and sometimes weight, so always check the instructions carefully and stick to the dose prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.
Age to give paracetamol to children
The NHS says "Do not give paracetamol to children under two months of age, unless prescribed by a doctor".
Some controls for giving paracetamol to children
Do not give your child more than 4 doses of paracetamol in 24 hours, but wait at least 4 hours between doses.
Paracetamol can be taken with or without food.
Shake the bottle well for at least 10 seconds, and measure the appropriate amount using the plastic syringe or spoon that came with the medicine.
If your child does not like the taste of paracetamol syrup, you can give him a drink of milk or fruit juice immediately afterwards.
When is paracetamol not suitable for a child?
Paracetamol is not suitable for all children. To make sure it is safe for your child, consult a doctor or pharmacist:
If the child weighs less than average for his age, he may need a smaller dose.
If the child has liver or kidney problems.
If the child is in pain, you can give them a dose of paracetamol every 6 hours for up to 3 days. This will help relieve the pain safely without the risk of giving too much paracetamol.
Never give paracetamol for longer than 3 days without talking to a doctor.
If you give your child an extra dose of paracetamol, wait at least 24 hours before giving him more.
If your child takes two or more extra doses of paracetamol in 24 hours, he may need treatment.
Paracetamol side effects
Paracetamol side effects are rare , but they may include:
An allergic reaction can cause a rash and swelling.
flushing, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat;
Blood disorders, such as thrombocytopenia (low number of platelet cells) and leukopenia (low number of white blood cells).
Liver and kidney damage if you take an overdose, and this can be fatal in severe cases.
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HEALTH UPDATE