Medised for children

How does it work?

Medised for children is a liquid containing two active ingredients, paracetamol and diphenhydramine hydrochloride.

Paracetamol is a simple painkilling medicine used to relieve mild to moderate pain and fever. Despite its widespread use for over 100 years, we still don't fully understand how paracetamol works to relieve pain and reduce fever. However, it is now thought that it works by reducing the production of prostaglandins in the brain and spinal cord.

The body produces prostaglandins in response to injury and certain diseases. One of the effects of prostaglandins is to sensitise nerve endings, causing pain (presumably to prevent us from causing further harm to the area). As paracetamol reduces the production of these nerve sensitising prostaglandins it is thought it may increase our pain threshold, so that although the cause of the pain remains, we can feel it less.

It is thought paracetamol reduces fever by affecting an area of the brain that regulates our body temperature (the hypothalamic heat-regulating center).

Diphenhydramine is a type of medicine called a sedating antihistamine. It enters the brain in sufficient quantities to cause drowsiness.

Diphenhydramine drys nasal secretions, by stopping a natural body chemical called histamine from binding to its receptors. Histamine is a chemical produced naturally by the body that has many effects, including the production of allergic symptoms, such as a runny nose. Blocking histamine receptors prevents the actions of histamine, which reduces the production of mucus in the nose.

The combination of active ingredients in this medicine is useful for relieving mild to moderate pain such as teething pain, headaches and sore throat, and for relieving the symptoms of feverish colds and flu in children. The relief from symptoms and the mild sedative effect caused by the medicine can also be helpful for aiding restful sleep.

What is it used for?

Relieving the symptoms of colds and flu, such as aches and pains, fever, and runny, stuffy or tickly nose.

Relieving mild to moderate pain, such as headache, sore throat or teething pain.

Reducing high temperature (fever).

Warning!

Make sure you use the correct dose for the age of your child. 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. Many over-the-counter painkillers and cold and flu remedies contain paracetamol. It is important to check the ingredients of any medicines you buy without a prescription before giving them in combination with this medicine. Seek further advice from your pharmacist.

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.

This medicine may cause drowsiness. If your child is affected they should avoid performing potentially hazardous activities such as riding a bike or climbing trees. Alcohol should be avoided.

If symptoms persist for more than three days consult your doctor.

Use with caution in

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

Epilepsy

Difficulty passing urine (urinary retention)

Obstruction of the gut.

Not to be used in

Children under three months of age, unless on the advice of a doctor

Closed angle glaucoma

Hereditary blood disorders called porphyrias.

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

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

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.

Drowsiness

Blurred vision

Disturbances of the gut such as constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Dry mouth, nose and throat

Skin rash

Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)

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?

If your child is are already taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines and those bought without a prescription, you should check with your pharmacist before giving this medicine, to ensure that the combination is safe.

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.

There may be an increased risk of drowsiness if this medicine is taken in combination with any of the following, which can also cause drowsiness:

alcohol

benzodiazepines, eg temazepam, diazepam

sedating antihistamines, eg promethazine, hydroxyzine, triprolidine, chlorphenamine (these are often found in other non-prescription cough and cold or hayfever remedies)

sleeping tablets, eg zopiclone

strong opioid painkillers, eg codeine, dihydrocodeine, morphine

tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline.

These should be avoided in combination with this medicine.

There may be an increased risk of side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation or difficulty passing urine if this medicine is taken with any of the following medicines:

anticholinergic medicines for urinary incontinence, eg oxybutynin, flavoxate, tolterodine, propiverine, trospium

anticholinergic medicines for Parkinson's disease, eg trihexyphenidyl, orphenadrine, procyclidine

antipsychotic medicines, eg chlorpromazine, clozapine

antispasmodics, eg atropine, hyoscine

certain antisickness medicines, eg promethazine, prochlorperazine, meclozine, cyclizine

muscle relaxants, eg baclofen

MAOI antidepressants, eg phenelzine, tranylcypromine

tricyclic or related antidepressants, eg amitriptyline, maprotiline.

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. This effect does not occur with occasional pain-killing doses.

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