Promoting safe use of paracetamol in children

Abstract

Paracetamol is one of the most widely used analgesics and the most common medicine given to children in Australia. Its safety and efficacy when appropriately used is well established and its effects in acute overdose are well known to health professionals. However, gaps in knowledge of parents/carers of young children about its safe use are less recognised and may lead to unintentional misuse and harm. This paper aims to help bridge this knowledge gap and promote safe use of paracetamol in children. By using illustrative cases to highlight this problem, discussing the relevant literature, providing a parent/carer counselling checklist and resources for health professionals.