Further advice for parents

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Remember that even though childhood illnesses are common, they can be worrying, and you have an important role to play in reassuring parents and carers when talking to them in the pharmacy.

Parents/carers may want advice on how to give the medicine. It is important to make sure they know what the correct dose is for the child's age and weight and how they can give the medicine appropriately.

Advice

They should make notes of the times and amount of medicine given and take care not to give medicines containing the same active ingredients
Advise them to shake the bottle of paracetamol suspension for at least 10 seconds, and measure the dose using a medicine spoon or syringe¹
Ibuprofen is best given with or just after a meal/milk to prevent any stomach upset²
If a child is given 2 extra doses of paracetamol/ibuprofen or more, the parent should contact 111 as the child may need treatment^1,2
The child can be given a drink of milk or juice afterwards to take away any taste if they don't like the flavour^1,2
If using an oral syringe to give the medicine, advise them to aim the syringe at the area between the gums and the inside of the cheek and release the medicine (don't squirt it down the back of the throat)¹¹

Questions to consider

As well as checking the medicine is appropriate for the child and that there are no symptoms that should be referred, there are other considerations that can help you to recommend the right product:

Parents who are concerned about the impact of sugar on their child’s teeth may want a sugar-free variant.
Colours in medicines may cause staining on clothes. Colour-free options are available.
There are different pack sizes of medicines. If someone has purchased a GSL pack previously, they may not realise that there are larger P medicine pack sizes available.