Was Calpol in 2007 really a sedative?

[Rogerandout]

My friend nearly died taking a ONE tablet which had codeine and paracetamol in it. Any MEDS have the potential to be deadly even if used correctly.

I most sincerely doubt that. All severe reactions are reported through a central scheme. I have never seen any such reaction to a single co-codamol tablet!

[Rogerandout]

Also if you read ANY of the packets of paracetamol or pain killers it does state I believe only to be used short term, now why is that?

It says that because long term administration may mask symptoms and thus avoid diagnosis of a more serious condition by a doctor. Once seen by a doctor, many people remain on full dose Paracetamol for decades without any problem.

[Rogerandout]

Are you seriously suggesting on a public forum that long term usage of a pain killer has no withdrawal effects if it is withdrawn ?

Paracetamol an be withdrawn abruptly. It has no addictive properties. So can most other non-opioid analgesics.

[Mr Gray]

I most sincerely doubt that. All severe reactions are reported through a central scheme. I have never seen any such reaction to a single co-codamol tablet!

perhaps she nearly choked on it

[Rogerandout]

Personally there are problems with it like any medicine. The E numbers alone are dodgy.


CALPOL Infant Suspension contains 120mg Paracetamol in each 5ml.

Excipients: sucrose (contains 2.2 g of sucrose per 5 ml), sorbitol liquid (E420), methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), ethyl parahydroxybenzoate (E214), propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216) and carmoisine (E122). See section 4.4 for further information.

All E numbers in bold are banned in France and Australia.

E218 & E122 :

these substances have been linked to hyperactivity, and the Hyperactive Children’s Support Group identifies them as likely causes of mysterious and sudden cases of ADHD-like hyperactivity. They too say these substances are not recommended to be consumed by children.

"E numbers" are not banned in France and Australia. SOme food additives are on different lists for different countries. France must allow all EEC allowed additives in any food imported from other EEC countries. Australia uses many E numbers and excludes others.

The substances linked here are a colouring, three anti-fungal preservative, and a bulking agent, all of which are used in soft drinks and ice cream and other children's foods.

[Rogerandout]

It is well known that children who have been given Calpol over several nights are restless and irritable if the substance is then withheld. 

As a pharmacist I can assure you that this is not the case. No such evidence exists.

[Rogerandout]

Who cares about Calpol I dont. I dont care what anyone says being an OAP, I have known people to give phenergan and yes Calpol to calm children down to get them to sleep.

Phenergan and Paracetamol are two completely different medications.

Paracetamol is a safe widely used analgesic and anti-pyretic.

Phenergan is chemically similar to Chlorpromazine/Largactil/Thorazine, the anti-psychotic and sedative used in severe mental illness.

[Mr Gray]

thanks for the input rogerandout you have basically confirmed everything I have said over the last couple of days...lets see if the posters take more notice of you than they did of me

[VIXTE]

Now we can see how much Mr Amaral is incorrect in claiming that Calpol, an extremely mild form of paracetamol, designed for babies and small toddlers,  has sedative properties!

No wonder he is sued for label when he is actually clueless.

[colombosstogey]

I most sincerely doubt that. All severe reactions are reported through a central scheme. I have never seen any such reaction to a single co-codamol tablet!

... removed inappropriate remark ...

She never took codeine before in her life and had severe allergic reaction to it, MR KNOW ALL. She nearly DIED.

Just cos you havent seen it doesnt mean it isnt true. What about people who are allergic to peanuts some dont even need to eat one, just have a trace of it in the food.

Honestly sometimes people on this forum just want to be big shots. Get a life.  So you say your a pharmacist so what, I have been nearly screwed by a few who gave me wrong ADVICE lol I'm a brain surgeon, prove I aint.

Oh and by the way my friend was in the Army so there, it wouldnt necessary be on any data base in the uk.

Anyway so why the agression?

makes me laugh this thread. Calpol so what I have even said there is NOTHING wrong in the McCanns giving it, read my posts if you can be bothered lol..So thats another one on my ignore list at this rate I wont have much to read ROFLMAO.

[colombosstogey]

Phenergan and Paracetamol are two completely different medications.

Paracetamol is a safe widely used analgesic and anti-pyretic.

Phenergan is chemically similar to Chlorpromazine/Largactil/Thorazine, the anti-psychotic and sedative used in severe mental illness.

Before i ignore you. Did i say they wernt. Do keep up. I never mentioned Phenergan was paracetamol lol. Oh and anyone can google the information its quite easy.

~Really so funny.....all this over CALPOL and it has got us where NO BL**DY WHERE LOL....

[ferryman]

I worked with drug addicts my dear, and it isnt just cocaine they were addicted to you know.

I can guarantee you've never worked with anyone "addicted" to paracetamol.

Exceed the prescribed dose, even by a single tablet, in a 24 hour period, and you can risk serious liver damage, or even death.

[Mr Gray]

Are you calling me a lier? DONT.

She never took codeine before in her life and had severe allergic reaction to it, MR KNOW ALL. She nearly DIED.

Just cos you havent seen it doesnt mean it isnt true. What about people who are allergic to peanuts some dont even need to eat one, just have a trace of it in the food.

Honestly sometimes people on this forum just want to be big shots. Get a life.  So you say your a pharmacist so what, I have been nearly screwed by a few who gave me wrong ADVICE lol I'm a brain surgeon, prove I aint.

Oh and by the way my friend was in the Army so there, it wouldnt necessary be on any data base in the uk.

Anyway so why the agression?

makes me laugh this thread. Calpol so what I have even said there is NOTHING wrong in the McCanns giving it, read my posts if you can be bothered lol..So thats another one on my ignore list at this rate I wont have much to read ROFLMAO.

 Talking of NUTS

[Rogerandout]

Are you calling me a lier? DONT.

She never took codeine before in her life and had severe allergic reaction to it, MR KNOW ALL. She nearly DIED.

Just cos you havent seen it doesnt mean it isnt true. What about people who are allergic to peanuts some dont even need to eat one, just have a trace of it in the food.

Honestly sometimes people on this forum just want to be big shots. Get a life.  So you say your a pharmacist so what, I have been nearly screwed by a few who gave me wrong ADVICE lol I'm a brain surgeon, prove I aint.

Oh and by the way my friend was in the Army so there, it wouldnt necessary be on any data base in the uk.

Anyway so why the agression?

makes me laugh this thread. Calpol so what I have even said there is NOTHING wrong in the McCanns giving it, read my posts if you can be bothered lol..So thats another one on my ignore list at this rate I wont have much to read ROFLMAO.

If it happened it would be available to me as a Reportable Incident. There is no such report.

No aggression- mere facts I am afraid.

It is almost impossible for a person to have a severe reaction to codeine or any opioid in low doses becasue such opioids circulate freely in the blood stream of ordinary people. The receptors for endorphins are the same as for simple opioiods. Endorphins are chemically similar to such opioids and are produced by the body. Allergy to codeine would only show at levels above natural levels of endorphins, so I severely doubt if it was a single tablet! I do know of cases where administration of opioids at well above normative levels has led to allergic reactions, but cannot see how a single oral tablet would do that. I suspect the story may have become amplified beyond the original. If single tablet administration could cause a severe reaction, then codeine would certainly not have been available over the counter for so long as a non-prescription medication (as it was until the seventies.

[Rogerandout]

Before i ignore you. Did i say they wernt. Do keep up. I never mentioned Phenergan was paracetamol lol. Oh and anyone can google the information its quite easy.

~Really so funny.....all this over CALPOL and it has got us where NO BL**DY WHERE LOL....

You included the two in the same sentence as if they were comparable. They are incredibly different in every way.

Do you accept that Calpol (with Paracetamol and E numbers as its constituents) is available for over the counter sales without restriction, is used by almost all parents during a child's upbringing and has led to no cases of sedation at all. Do you accept that the E numbers criticised are commonly used in child friendly drinks, sweets, ice cream and other foodstuffs?