Sourced elsewhere. In reference to Calpol.
Noting, in the article it does state,Calpol is not to be given to children under the age of 6.
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CALPOL NIGHT WHICH WAS NOT TAKEN OFF THE MARKET UNTIL 2009
Calpol night oral solution contains two active ingredients, paracetamol and diphenhydramine hydrochloride.
Paracetamol is a simple painkilling medicine used to relieve mild to moderate pain and fever. Despite its widespread use for over 100 years, we still don't fully understand how paracetamol works to relieve pain and reduce fever. However, it is now thought that it works by reducing the production of prostaglandins in the brain and spinal cord.
The body produces prostaglandins in response to injury and certain diseases. One of the effects of prostaglandins is to sensitise nerve endings, causing pain (presumably to prevent us from causing further harm to the area). As paracetamol reduces the production of these nerve sensitising prostaglandins it is thought it may increase our pain threshold, so that although the cause of the pain remains, we can feel it less.
It is thought paracetamol reduces fever by affecting an area of the brain that regulates our body temperature (the hypothalamic heat-regulating center).
Diphenhydramine is a type of medicine called a sedating antihistamine. It enters the brain in sufficient quantities to cause drowsiness.
Read more:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/aches-and-pains/medicines/calpol-night.html#ixzz2yylJzAbhFollow us: @NetDoctor on Twitter | NetDoctorUK on Facebook