Was Calpol in 2007 really a sedative?

[pegasus]

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/aches-and-pains/medicines/calpol.html
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/aches-and-pains/medicines/calpol-night.html

[John]

I haven't read all the posts on this thread but I recall this being discussed some months ago and it was stated then that the chemical composition of Calpol has changed since 2007.  Something about it being made less potent???

[Cariad]

Are you an expert in pharmacology or medicine ?

I get the impression that this is a debate about the English language, not pharmacology....


http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sedative


2. assuaging pain or allaying irritability or excitement



I've used Calpol to treat pain and/or fever in my children and never noticed any additional drowsiness in them, above and beyond what you would expect from an unwell child anyway.

[ferryman]

I haven't read all the posts on this thread but I recall this being discussed some months ago and it was stated then that the chemical composition of Calpol has changed since 2007.  Something about it being made less potent???

I think you may be confusing calpol with calpol night, which was introduced in 2007, around the time the McCanns were made arguidos.

I think the basic formula of calpol has not changed.

[DCI]

I haven't read all the posts on this thread but I recall this being discussed some months ago and it was stated then that the chemical composition of Calpol has changed since 2007.  Something about it being made less potent???

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

[Mr Gray]

Are you an expert in pharmacology or medicine ?

I'm certainly an expert in sedation

[ferryman]

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/sedative


a drug taken for its calming or sleep-inducing effect:

That's quite clear to me AND readily available on-line ferryman !

Full quote from the link:

Definition of sedative in English

sedative
Pronunciation: /ˈsɛdətɪv/
Translate sedative | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
adjective

    promoting calm or inducing sleep:the seeds have a sedative effect

noun

    a drug taken for its calming or sleep-inducing effect: she won’t let them give her sedatives because of the baby a mild sedative

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French sedatif or medieval Latin sedativus, from Latin sedat- 'settled', from the verb sedare (see sedate1)
sedative in other Oxford dictionaries

.... inappropriate comment removed ...

[Mr Gray]

Well davel it's your prerogative to agree or disagree, I wasn't trying to change your perception of a dictionary defined word, I merely highlighted a possible contextual use of the word by Goncalo Amaral as defined by the dictionary !

 Amaral was mistaken in thinking calpol is a sedative...a nice soft pillow and a comfortable bed will induce sleep....but they are not sedatives

[ferryman]

Amaral was mistaken in thinking calpol is a sedative...a nice soft pillow and a comfortable bed will induce sleep....but they are not sedatives

You know, I think even that's not strictly right.

I think Amaral (hazily) understood that calpol is not a sedative, but he somehow arrived (in his imagination) at some (non-existent!) "distinction" between a "sedative" and a "sleeping solution", which he held calpol to be.

I'm sure he relates in his book that Kate explained calpol is not a sedative.

I confess, I would need to check my references on that.

[ferryman]

What do you think his "distinction" is between a sedative and a sleeping solution ?

What I think has nothing to do with it.

Educate yourself on the facts.

[DCI]

Amaral thinks and said

Calpol, a medication designed to facilitate falling asleep. That seems to be a common practice in Great Britain; they even talk about a "Calpol generation." In recent years, the possible presence of an antihistamine with sedative effects in Calpol has aroused great controversy. Recently, the same laboratory put Calpol Night on the market, whose ingredients clearly list that it contains an antihistamine.

[Redblossom]

Another groundhogday



http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=1766.0



I wish people would come to some consensus, somehow......so the same stuff doesnt just get regurgitated time after time after time.....is that remotely possible?

[ferryman]

Amaral was mistaken in thinking calpol is a sedative...a nice soft pillow and a comfortable bed will induce sleep....but they are not sedatives

Here we are, Dave.

This is the extract I had in mind, from chapter 4 of Amaral's book:

MADELEINE SLEEPS BADLY

One of the police officers who went to the McCanns' home in England, reported that a medical monitoring chart for Madeleine was posted in the kitchen. This referred to her sleep problems and made clear that she was waking several times in the night. The paternal grandfather stated that Kate gave the little girl - and also the twins - Calpol, a medication designed to facilitate falling asleep. That seems to be a common practice in Great Britain; they even talk about a "Calpol generation." In recent years, the possible presence of an antihistamine with sedative effects in Calpol has aroused great controversy. Recently, the same laboratory put Calpol Night on the market, whose ingredients clearly list that it contains an antihistamine.

The mother admits having taken some [calpol] to Portugal. She insists though that there is no calming effect, its being composed solely of paracetamol, and that she did not give any of it to her daughter during the holiday. At the time of her disappearance, Madeleine was sleeping in the same room as the twins. The latter, in spite of the noise, the mother's screaming and the comings and goings, did not wake up, as if they had been given sedatives. Would there not be a link between that difficulty in falling asleep and Madeleine's tragic end?

He admits Kate told them calpol is not a sedative, and I think (sort of) fuzzily believed her, but concocted some illusory "distinction" between it and what he chose to refer to as a "sleeping solution".

[stephen25000]

Another groundhogday



http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=1766.0



I wish people would come to some consensus, somehow......so the same stuff doesnt just get regurgitated time after time after time.....is that remotely possible?

That would seem logical, wouldn't it ?

[Mr Gray]

Here we are, Dave.

This is the extract I had in mind, from chapter 4 of Amaral's book:

MADELEINE SLEEPS BADLY

One of the police officers who went to the McCanns' home in England, reported that a medical monitoring chart for Madeleine was posted in the kitchen. This referred to her sleep problems and made clear that she was waking several times in the night. The paternal grandfather stated that Kate gave the little girl - and also the twins - Calpol, a medication designed to facilitate falling asleep. That seems to be a common practice in Great Britain; they even talk about a "Calpol generation." In recent years, the possible presence of an antihistamine with sedative effects in Calpol has aroused great controversy. Recently, the same laboratory put Calpol Night on the market, whose ingredients clearly list that it contains an antihistamine.

The mother admits having taken some [calpol] to Portugal. She insists though that there is no calming effect, its being composed solely of paracetamol, and that she did not give any of it to her daughter during the holiday. At the time of her disappearance, Madeleine was sleeping in the same room as the twins. The latter, in spite of the noise, the mother's screaming and the comings and goings, did not wake up, as if they had been given sedatives. Would there not be a link between that difficulty in falling asleep and Madeleine's tragic end?

He admits Kate told them calpol is not a sedative, and I think (sort of) fuzzily believed her, but concocted some illusory "distinction" between it and what he chose to refer to as a "sleeping solution".

A calpol generation..I haven't read his book but if this is the standard then it must be full of absolute rubbish. The man has not got a clue.