Liquid paracetamol for children and swallowing problems
If children have a fever or mild pain, such as a headache, parents may give them paracetamol juice. Liquid analgesics are also an option for patients with swallowing disorders. In recent weeks, however, pharmacists have often had to go through liquid paracetamol: it is currently available only to a limited extent or not at all.
Fewer suppliers, higher demand
There are two reasons for the supply bottleneck. According to the specialist magazine arznei-telegram, only two of the eleven providers existed twelve years ago: Ratiopharm and Bene-Arzneimittel.
In addition, demand has increased in the short term: Ratiopharm told test.de that due to the cold and flu epidemic in late 2021 and early 2022, the demand for paracetamol juice had increased: “We were not in such high demand and our production was able to due to this, we cannot react at short notice, “said the company’s spokesperson.
Paracetamol suppositories for infants weighing more than 3 kg
As long as parents do not receive paracetamol juice, paracetamol suppositories may be an alternative, especially for infants. The dose depends on the weight of the child: The lowest dose of 75 milligrams is suitable for short-term use against fever and mild pain in infants weighing 3 to 6 kilograms.
However, suppositories have one drawback: the effect may be uncertain because the drug is not completely absorbed into the bloodstream and its introduction may trigger defecation.
Important: Painkillers and antipyretics should only be given to babies under three months of age as directed by your doctor. Do not give paracetamol tablets to children who weigh less than 33 kilograms: they usually contain too much paracetamol. Overdose may cause paracetamol poisoning.
Ibuprofen juice from 4 months of age
In children from four months of age, fever and pain can be treated with ibuprofen instead of paracetamol. Studies show that ibuprofen works even better and faster than paracetamol in children under two years of age. There were no differences in the short-term use of the two substances in terms of tolerability. Ibuprofen in liquid form as a juice or syrup is available from different suppliers and in different dosages.
Tip: See the leaflet for the dose for your child’s weight. To ensure safe treatment, measure it accurately with the measuring spoon or syringe provided. Accurate dosing with tablespoons or teaspoons is not possible.
Sick child: Find suitable resources and ordering channels
- Be it a cold, cystitis or ADHD – in our book Medicines for Children, you will find our expert reviews of 1000 products.
- In our Drugs in Test database, you can read Stiftung Warentest’s assessments of more than 9,000 medicines, both young and old.
- If you want to order medicines online, you will find ratings from eleven mail order pharmacies in our online pharmacy test. Only one is doing well.
Paracetamol juice should be available again soon
Ratiopharm plans to resume delivery of the paracetamol solution in the week beginning May 23, 2022. More goods are coming from the beginning of July and August. The smaller supplier Bene-Arzneimittel wants to continue offering the juice and says it is working well.
Tip: If you give your child paracetamol, the antipyretic effect will not appear until an hour later. Do not give a second dose for at least six hours.