In children's conditions who cannot yet much express their feeling it is very hard to give them medicines, especially paracetamol for fever, because of its bitter taste. So, it is absolutely needed that the paracetamol you choose for your child should have a sweet taste and enticing flavor to allow children to voluntarily take the medicine with ease. Also when choosing a paracetamol for your child, it should be cost-effective and can lower the fever immediately and regulate the fever within the stated optimum effect.
Tempra or Biogesic or Calpol: What is the best paracetamol for children?
1. For me they are all square when it comes to effect, because of course they have the same generic name which is paracetamol. But the difference lies on the dosage form, which is very important to know. Suspension paracetamol needs to be shaken first before taken, so that the drug will be distributed equally in the liquid vehicle. However, syrup paracetamol is a well-distributed dosage form that does not need agitation to disperse the drug equally to the vehicle. In short it is ready to take paracetamol medicine. Another thing to be added is that the syrup has the higher absorption rate than that of suspension. Because the syrup does not need to disintegrate into the tiniest particle before it can be absorbed, instead, it is in the micronized particle already that can be ready to be absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, but, in contrary, suspension is needed to disintegrate first before absorption occurs. Therefore, Tempra which is syrup in form has the fastest absorption rate based on their dosage form.
2. The taste of the three products are not questionable as to the three brands have favorable taste and flavors to choose from.
3. Recommendation of age use. I think the best brand recommendation of age use is the Calpol that entails the oral drops (100mg) is for 0 - 2 years old; 120mg (125mg in some paracetamol brand) is for 2 - 6 years old; and 250mg is for 6 - 12 and above. But dosage may change depends on the BMI, weight, age and condition of the patient.
4. Information of the drug. All the three brands have showcased the important information about paracetamol, including use, effect, precautions, side-effects and etc.
5. Price. Price is one of the basis for parents to choose a paracetamol brand. As we know Tempra is the costliest among the three, followed by Calpol and the cheapest is the Biogesic brand. But of course, the use and immediate action will always consider too! Moreover, when a parent is deciding for a cost-effective brand, does Biogesic will be chosen.
Summary of the Brands:
Brand | Dosage Form | Taste and variety of flavor | Age of Use | Information | Price |
Biogesic | Better | Better | Better | Better | Best |
Calpol | Better | Better | Best | Better | Better |
Tempra | Best | Better | Better | Better | Good |
Note: This article is based only to the knowledge of the author about paracetamol and its brands. The author does not recommend any brand/s to the readers, instead, information sharing only.
