The question of sedatives such as Calpol.

[Lace]

No it isn't a sedative and I cannot imagine two doctors giving anything to a small child of almost four to make her feel disorientated.

[Mrs. B]

If Calpol is a red herring, why is it that Amaral, and ONLY Amaral, is the one going on about it?

Extract from Amaral's book - CH 4 - The paternal grandfather stated that Kate gave the little girl - and also the twins - Calpol, a medication designed to facilitate falling asleep.

Which is totally untrue, of course.

[faithlilly]

Calpol isn't a sedative.

Calpol is a red herring.

[faithlilly]

If Calpol is a red herring, why is it that Amaral, and ONLY Amaral, is the one going on about it?

Extract from Amaral's book - CH 4 - The paternal grandfather stated that Kate gave the little girl - and also the twins - Calpol, a medication designed to facilitate falling asleep.

Which is totally untrue, of course.

Of course it is but as doctors the McCanns would have access to all manner of medication.

[Mrs. B]

Sedation by Calpol is a major part of Amaral's "thesis" - it's his explanation to why a perfectly healthy four year old would sustain lethal injuries by a fall from a sofa. She was drugged. That's HIS theory.

[Mrs. B]

No, sorry, that's not how hospitals work these days, Doctor's can't just start raiding the medication supplies at will. They have to request the medication they need for patients & sign for it. It's quite heavily controlled. There is no evidence that either parent McCann had requested any sedatives from anywhere. If you have contradictory evidence, please provide a link.

[faithlilly]

Sedation by Calpol is a major part of Amaral's "thesis" - it's his explanation to why a perfectly healthy four year old would sustain lethal injuries by a fall from a sofa. She was drugged. That's HIS theory.

Obviously Amaral was mistaken about the Calpol and any kind of sedation could substituted for the non-sedative Calpol in his thesis without it affecting the whole.

[faithlilly]

No, sorry, that's not how hospitals work these days, Doctor's can't just start raiding the medication supplies at will. They have to request the medication they need for patients & sign for it. It's quite heavily controlled. There is no evidence that either parent McCann had requested any sedatives from anywhere. If you have contradictory evidence, please provide a link.

Tell me Mrs B, are you a doctor ?

[Mrs. B]

Why would you need to know? Are you ill?

[DCI]

Sedation by Calpol is a major part of Amaral's "thesis" - it's his explanation to why a perfectly healthy four year old would sustain lethal injuries by a fall from a sofa. She was drugged. That's HIS theory.

Yes it is his theory, he didn't do his homework, and thought everyone was green.
 
Calpol - Letter from Johnson & Johnson

Our Ref: XXXXXX-Letter
Date: XXXX 2009

Dear Madam/Sir

Thank you for your recent enquiry concerning Calpol Infant Suspension (120mg paracetamol per 5ml).

Calpol Infant Suspension contains paracetamol which is used to relieve pain and reduce fever. As you rightly point out, it does not have sedative properties. We are keen to ensure that consumers understand how to use all of our products correctly. In the case of Calpol, we ensure clear messages in our advertising to ensure correct usage. The product also contains clear instructions for use on the box and within the enclosed patient information leaflet.

Thank you for your concern regarding the reputation of our product and the suggestion that we contact Mr Amaral. We will give your suggestion due consideration.
 

Yours sincerely

Johnson & Johnson Ltd

XXXXXX XXXXXXXX BSc (Hons)
Medical Information Officer
Professional Information Ltd
on behalf of Johnson & Johnson Ltd

[AnneGuedes]

Sedation by Calpol is a major part of Amaral's "thesis" - it's his explanation to why a perfectly healthy four year old would sustain lethal injuries by a fall from a sofa. She was drugged. That's HIS theory.

Perhaps she had some unnoticed cardiac deficiency.

[Mrs. B]

No reason to think that at all.

http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/PH-HU.htm

Also, I never had doubts regarding the physical or psychological well-being of the children. Madeleine was seen by the duty doctor when born and by our nurses during the routine vaccinations. If there had been cause for concern in any of the children, it would have been brought to my attention, and this did not happen.

McCann family Doctor Rogatory statement to Police.

[John]

Please note that this subject now has its own thread.

Calpol is a Gods send...wouldn't be without it as all parents will know.

[ferryman]

Calpol Night, which I believe had a sedative effect, wasn't. I myself think the Calpol issue is one massive red herring.

Wrong!

Calpol night is the massive red herring.

The subject of calpol arose, for the sole reason that the McCanns themselves raised it, telling the PJ frankly that they had it with them on that holiday.

To be clear, calpol is simple paracetomol for children, and with an excellent record of safety in use with children.

(sic)

"Paracetamol doesn't have any sedative properties whatsoever and neither does Nurofen," he says. "It's a widespread misconception that Calpol helps children to sleep. Doctors used to prescribe antihistamines to help children sleep, but not any longer."
Although these products may not be as effective as soporifics as parents might hope, Prof Stephenson doesn't believe that they are in any way harmful. The two main theoretical risks – that they may mask the symptoms of a more serious medical problem, and the possibility of overdose – are, he believes, slight. "Most parents are assiduous and careful observers of their child. They would be careful to note if they were deteriorating or had developed a rash. There are very few examples of children being overdosed by over-the-counter remedies."
The dosage for children aged one to six is one to two 5ml spoonfuls of the Calpol suspension up to four times a day. For three to 12-month-old babies, it is one to two 2.5ml spoonfuls. A 5ml dose contains 120mg of paracetamol, compared with 500mg per tablet in adult Panadol.
"I've never seen an overdose of Calpol," says Dr Wayne Lenney, a consultant paediatrician. "The only liquid overdoses in children occur when teenagers drink too much alcohol."
Doctors agree that as painkillers these medications are effective and, most importantly, safe. "There was a study in the US of over 80,000 children given ibuprofen and paracetamol, and the number of those who developed side effects that could be attributed to the medicine was absolutely tiny," says Prof Stephenson.
But some parents are wary of using them for fear, in Silke Moser's words, that "at some point, children will become immune to them". Nonsense, says Prof Stephenson. "Your child can't build immunity to these medicines – they won't work less because they have it all the time."
None the less, many parents are looking to alternative and complementary remedies instead of relying on yet another spoonful of Calpol.
Sure Start, the Government's family support agency, subsidises homoeopathy clinics and courses across the country. Harter says many parents say their children never seem completely well. She believes homoeopathic remedies work by supporting the immune system, instead of suppressing it.
Prof Stephenson does not dismiss alternative remedies, but says most have yet to be shown to be effective. "There have been cases of children suffering and dying because parents insisted on using only alternative remedies."
The argument between daily dosers of Calpol and homoeopathic alternatives could be irrelevant. Dr Stephenson says it may be the case that it's not what you give but how you give it that counts. "In most age groups, there is a placebo effect of any medication if it tastes nice and is given to you by somebody who loves you and gives you a cuddle."

(Telegraph)

[Eleanor]

If Madeleine had been sedated by a Doctor to make her sleep she would not have woken up some two hours later, which is when Amaral seems to think she fell off the back of the settee.