For several weeks, pediatric drug stocks have been at their lowest point. In a context of “paracetamol supply tensions”, the Ansm (National Medicines Agency), publishes this Thursday “the list of pediatric medicines to be used according to the weight of the child”.
This list of paracetamol-based medicines “makes it possible in particular to identify the medicines that can currently be delivered by pharmacists to replace the medicine mentioned in the prescription in the event of its immediate unavailability”.
Given “the shortage of stocks of doliprane 100 mg, scored suppository”, the Ansm advises reserving priority for children from 3 to 4 kg of “Doliprane 2.4%, oral suspension” and “Dolko 60 mg / 2 ml, solution bottled oral (from 3.5 kg)”.
For children weighing more than 4 kg “several alternative presentations to the multi-dose drinkable forms of paracetamol are available”, writes the Ansm and “the choice must be made according to the weight of the child”. The Medicines Agency proposes in a document the possible alternatives according to the weight of the children, which can be found HERE.
It is not always “necessary to give your child medicine”
The ANSES adds that “it is not necessary to give fever medicine to your child if his temperature does not exceed 38.5°C.”
“With simple gestures, a child can be relieved of fever and associated signs of discomfort (…) removing layers of clothing, without completely undressing him, and placing him in a cool and ventilated room (between 18 and 20°C ) Give him something to drink often, even if he doesn’t ask for it, cool water for example”.
Everyone is invited to seek the opinion of a doctor or pharmacist before buying paracetamol for their child, especially not to accumulate paracetamol and to make “reasonable use” of it.
“Since July 2022, we are doing everything possible to limit the impact of paracetamol stresses”, assures ANSES, “at our request, the laboratories have thus increased their production capacity”.
Source: BFM TV
