Summary of medicine characteristics - FENNINGS CHILDRENS COOLING POWDER
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Fennings Children’s Cooling Powders
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Paracetamol 50mg
For excipients, see 6.1
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Oral powder
A fine light buff powder
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
For the treatment of pain arising from teething, headache, aches, pains and symptomatic relief of feverish colds, influenza and mild feverish conditions.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Oral administration according to the following posology:
3 months to under 1 year 1 powder
1 year to under 6 years 2 powders
6 years to under 12 years 4 powders
Do not give more frequently than every 4 – 6 hours. Repeat to a maximum of 4 doses daily. The powder may be given in a little milk or jam.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to paracetamol and/or other constituents.
Not to be given to children under 3 months except on medical advice.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Use with caution in the presence of severe impaired renal or hepatic function.
Do not give with any other paracetamol-containing products.
Do not exceed the stated dose.
If symptoms persist consult your doctor.
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Contains paracetamol.
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the LAPP lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Liver microsomal inducing agents such as barbiturates, tricyclic antidepressants and alcohol may increase paracetamol hepatotoxicity. The speed of absorption of paracetamol may be increased by metoclopramide or domperidone and absorption reduced by colestyramine.
The anticoagulant effect of warfarin and other coumarins may be enhanced by prolonged regular use of paracetamol with increased risk of bleeding; occasional doses have no significant effect.
4.6 Pregnancy and Lactation
A large amount of data on pregnant women indicate neither malformative, nor feto/neonatal toxicity. Epidemiological studies on neurodevelopment in children exposed to paracetamol in utero show inconclusive results. If clinically needed, paracetamol can be used during pregnancy however it should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and at the lowest possible frequency.
Paracetamol is excreted in breast milk but not in a clinically significant amount. Available published data do not contraindicate breast-feeding.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Not applicable
4.8 Undesirable effects
Adverse events of paracetamol from historical clinical trial data are both infrequent and from small patient exposure. Accordingly, events reported from extensive post-marketing experience at therapeutic/labelled dose and considered attributable are tabulated below by system class. Due to limited clinical trial data, the frequency of these adverse events is not known (cannot be estimated from available data), but post-marketing experience indicates that adverse reactions to paracetamol are rare and serious reactions are very rare.
Body System
Undesirable effect
| Blood and lymphatic system disorders | Thrombocytopenia Agranulocytosis |
| Immune system disorders | Anaphylaxis Cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions including skin rashes, angiodema and Stevens Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Bronchospasm* |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | Hepatic dysfunction |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorder | Very rare cases of serious skin reactions have been reported |
* There have been cases of bronchospasm with paracetamol, but these are more likely in asthmatics sensitive to aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
4.9 Overdose
Liver damage is possible in adults who have taken 10g or more of paracetamol. Ingestion of 5g or more of paracetamol may lead to liver damage if the patient has risk factors (see below).
Risk factors:
If the patient
Is on long term treatment with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin, St John’s Wort or other drugs that induce liver enzymes.
Regularly consumes ethanol in excess of recommended amounts.
Is likely to be glutathione deplete e.g. eating disorders, cystic fibrosis, HIV infection, starvation, cachexia.
Symptoms
Symptoms of paracetamol overdosage in the first 24 hours are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Liver damage may become apparent 12 to 48 hours after ingestion. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and metabolic acidosis may occur. In severe poisoning, hepatic failure may progress to encephalopathy, haemorrhage, hypoglycaemia, cerebral oedema, and death. Acute renal failure with acute tubular necrosis, strongly suggested by loin pain, haematuria and proteinuria, may develop even in the absence of severe liver damage. Cardiac arrhythmias and pancreatitis have been reported.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
N02B E01 Other analgesics and antipyretics – anilides
Paracetamol is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
Paracetamol has analgesic and antipyretic effects similar to aspirin but has only weak anti-inflammatory effects.
A single or repeated therapeutic doses have no effect on cardiovascular or respiratory systems – acid based changes do not occur.
5.2
Peak plasma concentration:
Half life:
Metabolism:
Excretion:
Plasma protein binding:
30 mins to 2 hours after ingestion
1 – 4 hours
Liver
Urine (less than 5% is excreted as unchanged paracetamol). The bulk is excreted after hepatic conjugation with glucuronic acid, or cysteine, although small amounts of unconjugated paracetamol have also been detected.
Variable increases with increasing concentrations.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Liquorice Extract
Lactose
Calcium Phosphate
Heavy Magnesium Carbonate
Heavy Magnesium Oxide
6.2 Incompatibilities
None stated
6.3 Shelf life
36 months
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Keep dry and away from highly scented preparations
6.5 Nature and contents of container
The powder is contained in an unsealed paper sachet and enclosed in a cardboard carton of 10 or 20 powders with tamper evident seals.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
6.6 Special precautions for disposalCustomers are advised not to accept the product if the tamper evident seals are broken.