• For several weeks, many parents have noticed a shortage of Doliprane for children in pharmacies.

  • A shortage which "is not unmanageable at all", according to Perrine Ang, pediatrician in Paris, who recalls that "Doliprane should not be a systematic prescription".

  • Dafalgan or Eferalgan in syrup or stick, Doliprane in sachets or suppositories, even Advil in some cases: the alternatives are numerous.

If you are a parent, you may have seen this.

For the past few weeks, it has been difficult to obtain the precious pale pink box of Doliprane for children.

This "Doliprane 2.4%", given by pipette to children in case of fever or pain, is becoming increasingly rare on the shelves of pharmacies.

Supply difficulties explain this shortage of paracetamol, the molecule of which is not, for the moment, produced in France.

However, with plummeting temperatures, colds and flu are making a comeback and the need for paracetamol is increasing.

And the rise in the Covid-19 contamination rate at the end of the year does not help the situation.

But do not panic.

Alternatives to Doliprane exist for children, as explained to

20 Minutes

Perrine Ang, pediatrician in Paris, according to whom “the shortage is not unmanageable at all.

»

What would you advise parents who need Doliprane for their sick children, but cannot find it in pharmacies?

There are plenty of alternatives.

First, there are generics, such as Dafalgan or Efferalgan, which can be taken in syrup or in a stick.

These are very practical pediatric forms.

Doliprane sticks are out of stock, but you can find them in other forms.

Children over 12 kg can take them in sachets.

Parents often don't like them because they have to be diluted and they don't taste very good, but it's standard Doliprane.

It also exists in the form of suppositories for children.

It's less convenient, but just as effective.

Should we systematically give Doliprane to children who have a fever?

Doliprane should not be a systematic prescription.

With each take, parents must ask themselves "does he really need it?"

The recommendations are clear.

For a child who has a temperature of 38.2°C, a very well tolerated fever and not many other symptoms, we do not necessarily have to give him paracetamol.

In this case, you just have to wait for it to pass.

But as soon as the fever is less well tolerated, rises quickly and very high and there are unpleasant associated symptoms such as body aches, headaches, then, yes, paracetamol is needed.

This is the case for the flu that is circulating at the moment.



Can these alternatives be chosen without the advice of the doctor, by going directly to the pharmacy?

Yes, except for ibuprofen [like Advil], which does not replace paracetamol.

As it lowers fever very well, parents sometimes want to use it, especially at this time when there are many children who have flu with a fever of more than 40°C.

But the problem is that ibuprofen causes other effects to watch out for.

It can promote the proliferation of certain germs and have side effects on the kidneys in case of dehydration, such as during gastro.

So ibuprofen should be handled with care.

And always under medical prescription.

For the rest, there are plenty of things that can be done with the opinion of the pharmacist and a little common sense.

Is it possible to take Doliprane for adults and reduce the dose to give them to children?

I don't advise parents to do that.

Already, when you put a small piece of tablet in the baby's mouth and it is not sufficiently diluted, the infant is at risk of choking.

Then, it is a source of errors, and sometimes big errors.

There is no problem for older preteens, on the verge of being able to take 500. But for the little ones, you really have to avoid fiddling around like “I cut my Doliprane in half and then in half again.

»

It is not necessary either to arrange in the dosages by mixing a little of a sachet and a little of the suppositories.

There is a risk of overdose if the instructions are not understood or the dose is not respected.

And the overdose of Doliprane can be daunting.

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