Other safety alerts
|
| |
| Australia: Safety advisory - potential confusion in reading correct dose of Children's Panadol 1-5 Years Colourfree Suspension |
| |
The Therapeutic Goods and Administration (TGA) has become aware that some people have expressed confusion over how to use measuring syringes supplied with Children's Panadol 1-5 Years Colourfree Suspension. Incorrect measurements have the potential to lead to accidental overdoses.
The active ingredient in Children's Panadol 1-5 Years Colourfree Suspension is paracetamol. Paracetamol is safe and effective when taken as directed on the label. However, if taken either in overdose or in amounts that exceed the recommended dose for more than a few days, the unwanted effects can be severe.
The syringe supplied with Children's Panadol 1-5 Years Colourfree Suspension is shaped in such a way that the dose should be measured where the widest side of the plunger meets the barrel of the syringe. This differs from most syringes which measure to the tip of the plunger where the liquid finishes. With the Children's Panadol syringe, the liquid continues past the tip of the plunger and therefore needs be measured to where the widest sides of the plunger meet the barrel of the syringe. If the dose is measured from the point where the liquid touches the end of the plunger closest to the nozzle, the dose is incorrect.
The TGA is working with GSK to address any potential for accidental over use, including whether an update to the packaging of Children's Panadol 1-5 Years Colourfree Suspension to clarify the instructions on how to use the dosing syringe is sufficient or if other actions are also required.
Please refer to the following website in TGA for details:
http://www.tga.gov.au/safety/alerts-medicines-childrens-panadol-colourfree-141014.htm
In Hong Kong, a series of Panadol products are registered by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Amongst them, there are seven registered pharmaceutical products containing paracetamol in liquid dose form , namely Panadol Syrup 160mg/5ml (HK-29178), Panadol Infant Drops 100mg/ml (HK-48092), Panadol Infant Drops Colourfree 100mg/ml (HK-48093), Panadol Suspension 250mg/5ml (HK-52665), Panadol Suspension 120mg/5ml (HK-52694), Panadol Infant Drops 100mg/ml (Orange/Vanilla) (HK-52933) and Panadol Children Suspension 120mg/5ml (Australia) (HK-53958). According to GSK, Panadol Suspension 120mg/5ml (HK-52694) is the only product currently marketed in Hong Kong and it contains a measuring cup for dose measurement instead of a syringe. For the other 6 products in liquid dose form but currently not marketed in Hong Kong, three products (HK48092, HK52933 and HK48093) have included droppers, two products (HK29178 and HK52665) have not included any dosing measurement device and only Panadol Children Suspension 120mg/5ml (Australia) (HK-53958) contains a syringe for dose measurement. GSK agreed to inform the Department of Health regarding the arrangement of the syringe if the product is re-introduced into Hong Kong market.
Ends/ Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:45
|
| |
