Giving medication at regular intervals?

Question

There is something that I have always wondered about giving medication at regular intervals. If you are told to give 4 doses daily of ibuprofen, for example, do you split the WHOLE 24 hours into 4, or do you only split the hours for which you are awake into 4?

Example - I need to give my daughter calpol 4 times a day at regular intervals - so does that mean administering te medication at 3am, 9am, 3pm and 9pm (meaning i wake her up at 3am) or do i discount her sleeping time and split the following time period into 4 (8am - 9pm)?

I really hope this question makes sense - my daughter is very sick, i took her to doc but forgot to ask this vital question!!!

i knew someone would wade in here and kick me while i am down. I am obviously NOT going over the recommended dosage. why bother coming in here making me feelbad without answering the question when there is a sick child involved?? What kind of people are you??? Slag me off if you must but at least try answering the question!!

thanks to Jan and RM for being deent human beings!

hi all the doctor prescribed the Calpol, i would never give it to my baby unless it was prescribed. Thanks!

Answer 1

Don't feel bad about forgetting to ask the doctor. I've done it.

Here's a tip. Buy a pack of index cards. Before a visit to the dr, write your questions down. Most doctors will see you are prepared, and will gladly take the time to answer them.

Back to the subject, I would suggest you call the dr Mon morning, and explain your dilemma. You are asking a very intelligent question.--don't be bashful. People have asked dumber questions.
Monday--MAKE THAT CALL!!

Answer 2

Any kind of medication should really be split into the 24 hour time period, but unless the illness is life threatening, i.e. the child would be in hospital - most people split the waking hours.

However if you little girl is very poorly her sleep will probably be disturbed when the medicine is due anyway and you may find her waking around that time, in which case give it to her then!

Answer 3

Calpol Fastmelts Dosage

Answer 4

1

Answer 5

I would be inclined to wake her at the 3am time - that way she has even cover throughout the 24 hours. Perhaps most wouldn't do that, but my eldest had febrile convulsions as a child, so any spike in temp was potentially going to trigger a seizure.
If it was an antibiotic, I would split the waking hours and dose accordingly - i.e. 8am 12noon 4pm and 8pm.
Hope that helps.

Answer 6

For something like antibiotics, it's important to give it on the timed schedule... for motrin or something, just skip the missed dose, son't give to her more often than every 6 hours. If she tends to wake in the night, you can give her that dose... otherwise, it's not a big deal.

Sure hope your daughter feels better soon!

Answer 7

4 times a day should be spread out as evenly as possible. You don't need to wake someone it the middle of the night.
If you wake up at 7am, take at 7am ,1pm ,6pm and 11pm.
Make it as close to very 6 hours as possible.

Answer 8

Four times a day in this case would be early morning-7A.M., 12- noon, early evening-5 P.M. and night, about 10 P.M. that would be four well spaced out times that does not have to mess to much with sleep time.

Answer 9

discount the sleep time calpol should be given every 4 hours mininum in waking hours
only give if nessary as can cause medcail problems
hope this helps and she gets better soon

Answer 10

Go easy on the ibuprofen and calpol only use it only as needed to treat symptoms, such as pain and fever. Only use it if you child has a temperture over 100, or complains of pain. It only reduces pain and temperature. Ice water also works to lower temperature. Teas, soups, warm water, vapor rubs and throat drops can help reduce pain and congestion. Make sure she gets plenty of liquid and sleep. Pills do not make people healthy, fruits and vegtables do.
"Warning!

Different preparations of Calpol are suitable for children of different ages. Make sure you use the correct preparation and dose for your child. Calpol fastmelts and six plus suspension are not suitable for children under six years of age. Do not exceed the dose stated in the information leaflet supplied with the medicine.


This medicine must not be given with any other paracetamol containing products.


An overdose of paracetamol is dangerous and capable of causing serious damage to the liver and kidneys. You should never exceed the dose stated in the information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Immediate medical advice should be sought in the event of an overdose with this medicine, even if your child seems well, because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage.


If symptoms persist consult your doctor.


Use with caution in


Decreased kidney function


Decreased liver function


Not to be used in


Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient.


Calpol fastmelts contain phenylalanine and should not be given to children with an inherited disorder of protein metabolism called phenylketonuria.


This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.


There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used during pregnancy.


Small amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk, however there are no known harmful effects when it is used by breastfeeding mothers.


Label warnings


Do not give this medication with any other products containing paracetamol.


Refer to the printed instructions for maximum daily intake.


Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.


Skin rash


Calpol fastmelts may have a mild laxative effect.


The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

You should not give your child other medicines that contain paracetamol in combination with this medicine, as this can easily result in exceeding the maximum recommended daily dose of paracetamol. Many cold and flu remedies and over-the-counter painkillers contain paracetamol, so be sure to check the ingredients of any other medicines before giving them with this one.

Cholestyramine reduces the absorption of paracetamol from the gut. It should not be taken within an hour of taking paracetamol or the effect of the paracetamol will be reduced.

Metoclopramide and domperidone may increase the absorption of paracetamol from the gut.

Long-term or regular use of paracetamol may increase the anti-blood-clotting effect of warfarin and other anticoagulant medicines, leading to an increased risk of bleeding. Regular monitoring of blood clotting times should be performed if paracetamol is used regularly with these medicines. This effect does not occur with occasional pain-killing doses.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Alvedon suppositories Anadin paracetamol Disprol
Fennings children's cooling powders Hedex Infadrops
Lemsip childrens cold and flu blackcurrant Medinol Panadol
Paracets Perfalgan infusio"