The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article. Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions. Australian Prescriber Vol. It can be taken to relieve pain and a dose is recommended before children are given a vaccination.
Parents often give children paracetamol when they are unwell.
Although paracetamol can reduce a child's temperature, it may not make them better. Paracetamol may prolong the time the child is infected with a virus. While paracetamol has a mild benefit on some of the child's symptoms, it is a potentially toxic drug. Paracetamol, particularly extra strength preparations, can damage a child's liver if too much is given. Some children have died because they have been given too much paracetamol.