Is it okay to repeat a dose of paracetamol if your child has vomited the dose you have just given them?
This is a question we hear a lot, and thanks to our friends over at NSW Poisons Information, we have the answer!
It is impossible to know how much of the paracetamol your child absorbed – so if your child has vomited up (even straight after) giving paracetamol, you should not repeat the dose.
There is the option of giving ibuprofen instead – just remember to always follow dosage instructions. ✅
Remember – small mistakes can cause big problems in little bodies, so parents and carers need to know how to give medicines to children safely.
It is important to measure out medicines and give them properly to lower any chance of accidentally giving too much or not enough.
Medicines given incorrectly by parents and carers are one of the most common reasons for accidental poisonings in Australian children under 12 months. This is why it is not recommended to repeat a dose after your little one has thrown up the dose you may have just given them.
If you are ever unsure, who are you going to call?
👉🏼 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) – pharmacists are available by telephone to answer consumer questions about medicines.
👉🏼 NSW Poisons Information Centre – 13 11 26 available 24/7
Don’t forget to book your baby + child CPR & First Aid class so that you know how to respond in an emergency involving your little one!
Check out the reels we recently shared, answering your other paracetamol-related questions;
- Can I give ibuprofen and paracetamol together when my child has a fever?
- Are paracetamol and ibuprofen the same thing?
Resources
NPS Medicinewise ‘Treating my child’s pain or fever – paracetamol or ibuprofen?’ Fact sheet
