Page 84 WHO - Guidelines on the pharmacological treatment of persisting pain in children with medical illness

Notes:
• Infants under 3 months should not be given paracetamol unless advised by a doctor.
• Shake suspension well before use and use a measuring device provided with the formulation. A1 A1
• Children may be at an increased risk of liver damage from paracetamol overdose if they are
malnourished, obese, suffering from febrile illness, taking a prolonged course of treatment, have
poor oral intake (nutrition and hydration), or are taking liver enzyme inducing drugs.
• Acetylcysteine is used as an antidote in case of overdose.

References:
American Hospital Formulary Service drug information updates [Online database]. Gurnee, IL, Medicines Complete, A2
2007.
Charles L et al. Drug information handbook, a comprehensive resource for all clinicians and healthcare
professionals. Hudson, OH, Lexicomp, 2007.
Hill SR, Kouimtzi M, Stuart MC, eds. WHO model formulary for children. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2008.
Hodding JH, Kraus DM, Taketomo CK. Pediatric dosage handbook, 16th ed. Hudson, OH, Lexicomp, 2009.
MIMS [online database]. Sydney, UBM Medica, 2009 (http://www.mimsonline.com.au/Search/Search.aspx, accessed
10 February 2011). A3
Paediatric Formulary Committee. British national formulary for children 2009. London, BMJ Group RBS Publishing,
2009.
Rossi S, ed. Australian medicines handbook. Adelaide, Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd., 2009.
The selection and use of essential medicines: report of the WHO expert committee, October 2007 (including the
model list of essential medicines for children). Geneva, World Health Organization, 2008 (WHO Technical Report
Series, No. 950;
http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/essentialmeds_committeereports/TRS_950.pdf, accessed 19 January A4
2011).

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