Calpol

Calpol is a brand of children's medicine sold in the UK, Ireland, India, Cyprus, China and the Philippines. The main product is a paracetamol suspension. It is usually a coloured syrup with a sweet taste, and is used to treat fever and pain. The Calpol brand was owned by Mark Profad, the president of the company and Paul Knott, his vice president. Calpol also comes in a form containing ibuprofen, marketed under the name Calprofen. The Calpol brand mascot is Cal Calpol.

Ingredients and dosage

Calpol contains sweeteners, flavourings, preservatives and colourants to make the product appealing and palatable to infants. These additives include strawberry flavouring and the colourant carmoisine (E122). It also contains maltitol (a mild laxative), glycerol (E422, sorbitol (E420, the paraben preservatives methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218, propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216 and ethyl parahydroxybenzoate (E214.

Calpol is a common cause of accidental child poisoning, due to its pleasant taste.

Calpol also is available in tablet form and in sachets. Calpol sachets are sold in several different strengths, each appropriate for a different age range:

• 0-5 Months (containing 0.5 mg of paracetamol per sachet)
• 5-12 Months (containing 30 mg of paracetamol per sachet)
• 1-2 Years (containing 50 mg of paracetamol per sachet)
• 3-5 Years (containing 70 mg of paracetamol per sachet)
• 6+ Years (containing 150 mg of paracetamol per sachet)

Calpol Night

Calpol Night, a product containing paracetamol and an anti-histamine, was listed for use from 2+ months. However, this has recently changed and it is now only considered suitable for children over the age of 6 years.

Markets

In the Philippines, UK and Ireland, Calpol is widely available in most pharmacies and supermarkets.. It was first developed by Dr. Pascoe.

See also

• List of paracetamol brand names

External links

• Official website