Children's Panadol Recall Due to Incorrectly Graduated Measuring Device

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is recalling a children's panadol medicine called Children's Panadol Baby Drops because the measuring cylinder used to measure the dose is incorrectly graduated.

Initial investigation shows that this defect is only a rare incident and poses little safety risk, however, the company has voluntarily recalled all these products to ensure consumer benefits.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) asks customers to check that Children's Panadol Baby Drops sold in syringes are at the bottom of the syringe or are spaced out (see photo).

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The only defective component in this product is the dosing syringe, so users can discard the incorrectly marked dosing syringe and continue using the product with another suitable measuring device. According to GSK, measuring medicine with an incorrect dosing syringe could pose a health risk to children.

According to the Australian Department of Health, the active ingredient in Children's Panadol Baby Drops is paracetamol. Paracetamol is a medicine that has long been used to relieve pain and reduce fever and is found in many different brands of medicines for adults and children.

Paracetamol is safe and effective when used as directed. However, if you take too much or take more than the recommended amount for several days, serious side effects may occur.

The issue with the measuring syringe supplied with Children's Panadol Baby Drops does not affect the quality of the medicine. Other products and measuring devices in the Children's Panadol range are not affected, including Children's Panadol Baby Drops with a measuring dropper.

What you need to know about paracetamol overdose:

• The harmful effects of large doses of paracetamol on the liver are often not immediately apparent, so on the first day of an overdose the child may be fine, but after that the child's health will decline rapidly.

• Children should be taken to a medical facility immediately in case of drug overdose, even if no symptoms are seen.

• Do not give paracetamol to infants, children or adolescents for more than 48 hours unless directed by a doctor.

According to Dan Tri