As long as you do not give your child more than the maximum recommended dose, paracetamol rarely causes side effects.
If you're worried about a side effect or notice anything unusual, talk to your pharmacist or GP.
Serious side effects
Urgent advice: Stop giving your child paracetamol and contact a GP straight away if your child has:
- pale skin, unexpected bleeding and bruising, sore throat, fever and infections - these can be signs of a blood disorder
- yellow skin or eyes - this can be a sign of liver problems
Serious allergic reaction
A serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to paracetamol is rare.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 or take your child to an emergency department (ED) immediately if they show signs of a serious allergic reaction such as:
- a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
- wheezing
- tightness in their chest or throat
- difficulty breathing or talking
- swelling to their mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat
Report side effects
You can report any suspected side effects to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA): report an issue - hpra.ie