Febrol DS 60ml Suspension for Children's Fever & Pain

Drug Class: Analgesic (Pain Reliever) + Antipyretic (Fever Reducer) | Form: Oral Suspension | Prescription Status: Over-the-Counter (OTC) — DRAP Registered

What is Febrol DS Suspension 60ml?

Febrol DS Suspension 60ml is a double-strength Paracetamol oral suspension specially formulated for children. DS stands for Double Strength — meaning each 5ml dose contains a higher concentration of Paracetamol than standard paediatric Paracetamol suspensions — allowing the correct therapeutic dose to be given in a smaller volume of liquid. This makes it particularly practical for older children who need higher doses and for parents who find it easier to administer a smaller measured amount. Paracetamol is one of the most widely used and well-established medicines in the world for relieving fever (بخار) and pain (درد) in children. It works centrally in the brain to reduce fever and block pain signals — providing fast, effective, and reliable relief from high temperature, headache, toothache, earache, sore throat, and cold and flu symptoms. Febrol DS Suspension is sugar-free or pleasantly flavoured to make administration easier for children. It must always be dosed strictly according to the child's body weight — never by age alone — and must never exceed the maximum safe daily dose to avoid the risk of serious liver damage. Always use the measuring syringe or spoon provided — never estimate the dose.

What is Febrol DS Suspension Used For?

Febrol DS Suspension 60ml is approved for the relief of the following conditions in children:

• Fever (Pyrexia) — rapid reduction of high body temperature caused by infections, immunisations, teething, or illness (بخار — جسم کا درجہ حرارت کم کرنا)
• Post-Immunisation Fever — fever and discomfort following childhood vaccinations — one of the most common uses of paediatric Paracetamol suspension
• Headache — mild to moderate head pain associated with fever, cold, flu, or general illness (سردرد)
• Toothache — pain relief for dental pain and teething discomfort in older children (دانت کا درد)
• Earache — relief of ear pain associated with ear infections or cold-related ear discomfort (کان کا درد)
• Sore Throat Pain — pain relief for throat discomfort caused by tonsillitis, pharyngitis, or upper respiratory infections
• Cold and Flu Symptoms — relief of fever, body aches, headache, and general discomfort associated with common cold and influenza (نزلہ زکام اور فلو)
• Mild to Moderate Pain — general pain relief for muscle aches, joint pain, and post-operative or post-procedural discomfort in children
• Teething Discomfort — relief of pain and mild fever associated with teething in appropriate age groups

How Does Febrol DS Suspension Work?

Paracetamol — the active ingredient in Febrol DS — works through two well-understood mechanisms that together provide effective pain relief and fever reduction:

Antipyretic Action — Fever Reduction: Fever is regulated by a region of the brain called the hypothalamus — which acts as the body's internal thermostat. During infection or illness, the immune system releases chemical messengers called prostaglandins — particularly prostaglandin E2 — that travel to the hypothalamus and raise its temperature set-point, causing the body to generate and retain more heat and produce a fever. Paracetamol inhibits an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX) specifically within the central nervous system — blocking the production of these prostaglandins in the brain. By lowering prostaglandin levels at the hypothalamus, Paracetamol resets the body's temperature set-point back toward normal — allowing the body to release excess heat through sweating and vasodilation. Fever typically begins to reduce within 30 to 45 minutes of giving the correct dose of Febrol DS Suspension. Unlike NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen or Aspirin, Paracetamol's COX inhibition is primarily central — meaning it reduces fever effectively without the stomach irritation, platelet effects, or renal risks associated with anti-inflammatory medicines.

Analgesic Action — Pain Relief: Paracetamol relieves mild to moderate pain through its central action on pain processing pathways in the brain and spinal cord. It inhibits prostaglandin synthesis centrally — reducing the sensitisation of pain receptors in the central nervous system that makes painful stimuli feel more intense. It also activates descending pain-inhibitory pathways in the spinal cord that naturally suppress pain signals travelling upward from the body. This central pain-relieving action is effective for a wide range of childhood pain — including headache, toothache, earache, sore throat, and body aches — without causing the gastric side effects or bleeding risk associated with anti-inflammatory pain medicines.

Double Strength Advantage: Standard paediatric Paracetamol suspensions typically contain 120mg per 5ml. Febrol DS Double Strength contains a higher concentration per 5ml — meaning the same therapeutic dose can be delivered in a smaller volume of suspension. This is more convenient for older children requiring larger doses, reduces the volume the child must swallow, and makes accurate dose measurement easier for parents. The dose must still always be calculated on the child's current body weight — not their age — to ensure safe and effective treatment.

Dosage and Administration

⚠️ Always calculate the dose based on the child's current body weight — not age alone. The correct dose of Paracetamol is 15mg per kg of body weight per dose. Never exceed 4 doses in any 24-hour period and never give doses less than 4 hours apart. Never give more than the maximum daily dose. Overdose of Paracetamol — even a small amount above the safe limit — can cause serious and potentially fatal liver damage (جگر کو نقصان) that may not show symptoms immediately.

Doses above are approximate guides based on standard 15mg/kg dosing. Always confirm the exact dose with your pharmacist or doctor based on the specific concentration of Paracetamol per 5ml in your Febrol DS pack.

How to Give Febrol DS Suspension Correctly:

1. Shake the bottle well before every dose — the suspension settles between uses
2. Use only the measuring oral syringe or graduated spoon provided with the bottle — never use a household teaspoon
3. Measure the dose at eye level to ensure accuracy — even small errors in volume can result in underdosing or overdosing
4. Give the suspension directly into the child's mouth — aim for the inside of the cheek rather than the back of the throat to reduce gagging
5. For younger children — use the oral syringe and give the dose slowly in small amounts to allow swallowing between each part
6. The suspension can be given with or without food — if the child has a sensitive stomach, giving with a small amount of food or milk reduces any nausea
7. Do not mix with other foods or drinks before giving — this makes accurate dosing impossible
8. Record the time of each dose to avoid giving doses too close together
9. Replace the cap securely after every use

• Do not give more than 4 doses in any 24-hour period — space every dose at least 4 hours apart
• Do not use for more than 3 consecutive days without consulting a doctor
• Do not combine with any other medicine containing Paracetamol — many cold, flu, and combination medicines for children also contain Paracetamol — always check all medicine labels carefully before combining
• If fever persists beyond 3 days or pain persists beyond 5 days — stop and consult a doctor

Active Ingredient

Please check the product label or ask your pharmacist to confirm the exact milligrams of Paracetamol per 5ml in the specific Febrol DS pack dispensed to you — this is essential for accurate weight-based dose calculation.

Who Should NOT Use Febrol DS Suspension?

Do not give this suspension to a child who:

• Is allergic to Paracetamol or any other ingredient in this suspension
• Has severe liver disease or active liver failure (جگر کی شدید بیماری) — Paracetamol is metabolised by the liver and can cause serious additional liver damage in children with pre-existing severe liver disease
• Has severe kidney disease — Paracetamol metabolites are cleared by the kidneys — severe kidney impairment requires dose adjustment and medical supervision
• Has already received a Paracetamol dose within the last 4 hours from any source — including other cough, cold, or combination medicines containing Paracetamol
• Is under 3 months of age — use in very young infants requires specific medical supervision and prescription

Tell your doctor or pharmacist before use if the child:

• Has any liver condition — including Gilbert's syndrome, hepatitis, or a history of liver problems — even mild liver disease requires caution with Paracetamol
• Has any kidney condition — dose adjustment may be needed
• Is underweight or malnourished — these children have reduced liver reserves for safe Paracetamol metabolism and are at higher risk of liver toxicity even at standard doses
• Is taking any other medicines — particularly medicines for epilepsy (e.g., Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbitone), tuberculosis (e.g., Isoniazid, Rifampicin), or blood thinners (e.g., Warfarin) — these significantly affect Paracetamol metabolism and liver safety
• Has had a recent serious illness or prolonged poor appetite — metabolic reserves may be reduced
• Has glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency — use with caution and inform your doctor

Side Effects

Paracetamol is one of the safest and best-tolerated medicines available for children when used correctly at the recommended dose. Side effects at correct doses are rare. Not everyone will experience them.

Common Side Effects (relatively frequent):

• Mild nausea or stomach discomfort — usually temporary and reduced by giving with a small amount of food
• Mild allergic skin reactions — mild rash or skin redness in children sensitive to Paracetamol or to colouring or flavouring agents in the suspension
• Mild drowsiness — occasional and temporary

Serious Side Effects (rare but critical — seek medical help immediately):

• Liver damage (Hepatotoxicity) — the most serious risk of Paracetamol — almost always caused by accidental overdose or by giving doses too frequently. Early signs of Paracetamol-induced liver damage include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and loss of appetite — often appearing 24 to 72 hours after excessive dosing. Yellowing of the skin or eyes (یرقان — jaundice) and extreme weakness may follow. Critically — the child may appear well in the first 24 hours even after a dangerous overdose — do not wait for symptoms to appear if you suspect an overdose. Go to hospital immediately
• Severe allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis) — sudden widespread rash, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, difficulty breathing, or collapse — seek emergency help immediately — this is extremely rare with Paracetamol but can occur
• Severe skin reactions — very rarely, Paracetamol has been associated with serious skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome — signs include spreading blistering rash, peeling skin, and mouth sores — stop the medicine and seek emergency help immediately
• Blood disorders — very rare — signs include unusual bruising, pale skin, extreme fatigue — stop and consult a doctor

⚠️ If you think your child has taken too much Paracetamol — even if they seem well — go to hospital immediately. Do not wait for symptoms. Early treatment of Paracetamol overdose is highly effective but delays beyond 8 to 10 hours significantly worsen outcomes.

Drug Interactions

Always inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines — prescription, OTC, herbal, or supplements — the child is currently taking before giving Febrol DS Suspension.

Storage Instructions

• Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place
• Keep away from direct sunlight and excessive heat
• Do not refrigerate or freeze the suspension
• Keep out of reach of children (بچوں کی پہنچ سے دور رکھیں) — accidental Paracetamol overdose in children from unsupervised access to medicine bottles is a medical emergency
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the bottle or outer box
• Always shake well before every use — the suspension settles between doses
• Keep the bottle tightly closed after each use
• Discard any remaining suspension after the treatment course is complete or after the in-use shelf life stated on the label — do not store opened suspension indefinitely
• Do not use if the suspension appears unusual in colour, smell, or texture

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Febrol DS Suspension used for in children?

Febrol DS Double Strength Suspension is used to relieve fever, headache, toothache, earache, sore throat pain, and cold and flu symptoms in children. Paracetamol reduces fever by acting on the brain's temperature control centre and relieves pain by blocking pain signals centrally. The double-strength formulation means the correct dose can be given in a smaller, more convenient volume of suspension.

How do I calculate the correct dose of Febrol DS for my child?

The correct dose of Paracetamol is always calculated on the child's current body weight — not their age. The standard dose is 15mg of Paracetamol per kilogram of body weight per dose. Because Febrol DS is double strength, the volume needed per dose is smaller than standard Paracetamol suspensions. Always ask your pharmacist to calculate and confirm the exact volume in millilitres for your child's specific weight when you collect the medicine — write this down and use it for every dose during the illness episode.

What happens if I accidentally give my child too much Febrol DS?

Paracetamol overdose is a medical emergency — even if the child appears completely well immediately after. The liver damage caused by overdose often does not produce obvious symptoms for 24 to 72 hours — by which time serious damage may already have occurred. If you think your child has received more than the recommended dose from any source — including accidentally drinking from the bottle, receiving doses too close together, or combining with other Paracetamol-containing medicines — go to the nearest hospital emergency immediately. Take the medicine bottle with you. Do not wait to see if symptoms develop.

Can I give Febrol DS alongside a cold or cough syrup?

Only if you have confirmed that the cold or cough syrup does not also contain Paracetamol. Many children's cold, cough, and combination fever medicines sold in Pakistan contain Paracetamol as one of their ingredients. Giving Febrol DS at the same time as another Paracetamol-containing preparation doubles the dose and significantly increases the risk of liver damage. Always read the full ingredient list of every medicine before combining. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist before giving more than one medicine at the same time.

How long can I give Febrol DS to my child before seeing a doctor?

For fever — do not use for more than 3 consecutive days without consulting a doctor. For pain — do not use for more than 5 consecutive days without medical review. If fever is very high (above 39.5°C), is not coming down with correct doses of Paracetamol, returns very quickly after each dose, or is accompanied by rash, difficulty breathing, extreme drowsiness, or febrile convulsions — seek medical attention immediately rather than waiting. Persistent fever always requires proper medical investigation to identify and treat the underlying cause.

Is Febrol DS safe for newborns and very young infants?

Febrol DS Double Strength is not recommended for infants under 3 months of age without specific medical prescription and supervision. For fever in young infants — particularly under 3 months — always consult a doctor before giving any medicine as fever in this age group may indicate a serious infection requiring urgent medical assessment. For infants between 3 and 6 months, always consult a doctor or pharmacist to confirm the correct product, concentration, and dose appropriate for the child's exact age and weight.

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⚕️ Medical Disclaimer: This product description is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication for your child. If your child has taken too much Paracetamol from any source — go to the nearest hospital immediately even if the child appears well.

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DRAP Registered | Over-the-Counter (OTC) | Always dose by body weight — not age | Shake well before use | Keep out of reach of children at all times