Drug Class: Analgesic | Antipyretic | Form: Oral Drops (Concentrated Suspension) | Prescription Status: Over-the-Counter (OTC) — DRAP Registered
What is Panadol Drops 30ml?
Panadol Drops 30ml is a concentrated oral Paracetamol suspension containing 100mg of Paracetamol per 1mL — specifically formulated for infants and very young children aged 2 to 24 months who require precise, small-volume dosing that standard children's liquid formulations cannot deliver accurately. The concentrated 100mg/mL strength means that even very young, small infants receive their full therapeutic dose in just a fraction of a millilitre — minimising the volume the infant needs to swallow while ensuring accurate and effective dosing. Paracetamol is the first-choice analgesic and antipyretic recommended by paediatricians worldwide for infants — providing reliable fever reduction (بخار) and mild to moderate pain relief from teething (دانت نکلنے کا درد), ear pain (کان کا درد), cold and flu symptoms, and post-vaccination discomfort — in a formulation that is alcohol-free, aspirin-free, and gentle on sensitive infant stomachs. The included calibrated dropper or oral syringe ensures accurate weight-based dosing — critical at this age where small dosing errors carry greater clinical significance than in older children.
What is Panadol Drops 30ml Used For?
- Fever — rapid and safe reduction of elevated body temperature in infants from any cause including viral infections and bacterial illness (بخار)
- Post-vaccination fever and discomfort — managing the fever and injection site pain that commonly follows routine childhood immunisations (ٹیکے کے بعد بخار)
- Teething pain — relief of mild pain, irritability, and discomfort associated with erupting teeth in infants (دانت نکلنے کا درد)
- Earache — relief of mild ear pain associated with otitis media or upper respiratory tract infections in infants (کان کا درد)
- Cold and flu symptoms — reducing fever and general discomfort associated with viral upper respiratory infections in infants (بخار اور تکلیف)
- Mild to moderate pain — general pain relief from minor injuries, sore throat, or other mild pain conditions in infants aged 2 to 24 months
How Does Panadol Drops Work?
Central Analgesic Action: Paracetamol acts primarily within the brain and spinal cord — inhibiting central prostaglandin synthesis and activating descending pain-inhibitory pathways that reduce the overall intensity of pain signals reaching conscious awareness. In infants, whose pain-processing pathways are still developing, Paracetamol's central mechanism provides safe and reliable pain relief without the gastrointestinal irritation, platelet effects, or bleeding risks associated with NSAIDs — making it the only recommended first-choice analgesic for infants under 3 months and the preferred option for all infants under 12 months.
Antipyretic Action: Fever in infants is generated when prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is produced in the hypothalamus — resetting the body's temperature regulation centre to a higher set-point in response to infection or inflammation. Paracetamol blocks prostaglandin production in the hypothalamic thermoregulation centre — resetting the temperature set-point back to normal and allowing the body's natural heat-dissipating mechanisms to reduce temperature. In infants, fever reduction typically begins within 30 to 60 minutes of a correct weight-based dose and lasts for 4 to 6 hours — providing a meaningful window of comfort and rest for both infant and parent.
Why Concentrated Drops for Infants: The 100mg/mL concentration of Panadol Drops delivers a complete therapeutic dose in a very small volume — typically 0.5 to 1.2mL for most infants — making it easier to administer to young babies who cannot swallow large volumes of liquid. The concentrated formulation also reduces the risk of the infant spitting out part of the dose before it is fully swallowed — improving dosing reliability in very young patients.
Dosage and Administration
⚠️ Always dose strictly by the infant's current weight — never by age alone. Use only the calibrated dropper or oral syringe provided. Never exceed 4 doses in 24 hours. Never combine with any other Paracetamol-containing medicine.
| Weight | Age (approximate) | Dose | Frequency | Maximum Daily Dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3–5kg | 2–3 months | 0.5mL (50mg) | Every 4–6 hours | 4 doses (2mL) |
| 5–6kg | 3–5 months | 0.6mL (60mg) | Every 4–6 hours | 4 doses (2.4mL) |
| 6–8kg | 5–9 months | 0.8mL (80mg) | Every 4–6 hours | 4 doses (3.2mL) |
| 8–10kg | 9–18 months | 1.0mL (100mg) | Every 4–6 hours | 4 doses (4mL) |
| 10–12kg | 18–24 months | 1.2mL (120mg) | Every 4–6 hours | 4 doses (4.8mL) |
Critical Dosing Rules:
- Always dose by weight — not age; infants of the same age can have significantly different weights; weight-based dosing ensures the correct therapeutic dose and prevents accidental underdosing or overdosing
- Never exceed 4 doses in any 24-hour period — always allow a minimum of 4 to 6 hours between doses
- Never combine with any other Paracetamol-containing medicine — many infant cold medicines, cough syrups, and combination fever preparations contain Paracetamol; combining them with Panadol Drops can rapidly exceed the safe daily Paracetamol limit and cause serious liver damage even in very young infants
- Always use the calibrated dropper or oral syringe provided — never use household teaspoons or estimate the dose; at 100mg/mL concentration, a small measurement error represents a significant proportion of the therapeutic dose
- For infants under 2 months — do not use without specific medical advice; consult your paediatrician before giving Paracetamol to newborns
- If fever does not respond within 24 hours, fever is above 39°C, or the infant appears very unwell — seek immediate medical attention; high fever in very young infants can indicate serious infection requiring urgent evaluation
- Shake the bottle well before every use — the concentrated suspension settles between doses
How to Give:
- Shake the bottle thoroughly before each use
- Draw up the exact dose using the calibrated dropper or oral syringe provided — fill to the graduation marking corresponding to the infant's weight
- Place the dropper or syringe tip gently inside the infant's cheek — dispense the drops slowly in small amounts to prevent choking or spitting
- Give directly into the mouth — do not mix into a full bottle of milk or formula as the infant may not finish the full feed and will receive an incomplete dose
- A small amount of breast milk, formula, or water may be given immediately after to help the infant swallow the dose
- May be given with or without feeding — does not need to be given with food
Active Ingredients
| Ingredient | Strength per mL |
|---|---|
| Paracetamol | 100mg |
Key Formulation Features:
- Alcohol-free — safe for all infants regardless of religious or dietary background
- Aspirin-free — eliminates all risk of Reye's syndrome
- Concentrated 100mg/mL — small volume accurate dosing for infants
- Calibrated dropper or oral syringe included for precise measurement
Who Should NOT Be Given Panadol Drops?
Do not give if the infant:
- Is under 2 months of age — consult your paediatrician before giving Paracetamol to newborns
- Is allergic to Paracetamol or any ingredient in the drops
- Is already receiving any other medicine containing Paracetamol — cold drops, combination fever medicines, or other analgesics
- Has severe liver disease
- Has severe kidney disease
Always consult your paediatrician before giving Panadol Drops if the infant has:
- Any liver or kidney condition (جگر یا گردے کی بیماری) — Paracetamol is metabolised in the liver and excreted by the kidneys; even standard doses require caution in impaired organ function
- Severe malnutrition — increases the risk of Paracetamol toxicity at standard therapeutic doses
- G6PD deficiency — monitor for signs of haemolytic anaemia with repeated use
- A persistent high fever above 39°C — requires urgent paediatric evaluation to identify the underlying cause; high fever in very young infants can signal serious bacterial infection
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours in infants under 6 months — always seek medical evaluation promptly
- Is premature or low birth weight — Paracetamol clearance is slower in premature infants; dose adjustment under medical supervision required
- Is taking anticoagulants or antiepileptics — potential interactions; consult paediatrician
Side Effects
Common Side Effects:
- Panadol Drops are very well tolerated at correct weight-based doses — side effects at therapeutic doses are extremely rare in infants
- Mild skin rash — uncommon; monitor and stop if spreading or worsening; report to your paediatrician
- Mild nausea or stomach discomfort — very rare at correct doses in infants
Serious Side Effects — Stop Giving and Seek Emergency Medical Attention Immediately:
- Liver damage from accidental overdose — the most serious and critical risk of Paracetamol in infants; symptoms may not appear for 24 to 72 hours after overdose and include severe irritability, refusal to feed, vomiting, yellowing of skin or eyes (یرقان), and extreme lethargy — if accidental overdose is suspected seek emergency paediatric care immediately even if the infant appears well (طبی ہنگامی صورتحال)
- Severe allergic reaction — sudden widespread rash, swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing — life-threatening emergency requiring immediate hospital care (یہ طبی ہنگامی صورتحال ہے)
- Severe skin reactions — rare but serious skin blistering or peeling reported with Paracetamol; stop immediately and seek urgent paediatric care
- Blood disorders — rare; unusual pallor, extreme lethargy, or abnormal bruising with prolonged use; seek immediate paediatric evaluation
Drug Interactions
| Medicine / Substance | Possible Interaction |
|---|---|
| Other Paracetamol-containing medicines | Most critical — any combination of Paracetamol-containing infant products rapidly pushes total daily dose above the safe limit causing serious liver damage; always check every cold drop, cough syrup, and combination medicine for hidden Paracetamol before combining |
| Antiepileptics (e.g., Phenobarbital, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin) | Increase formation of toxic Paracetamol metabolites — liver damage risk increases at higher doses or with prolonged use; use under paediatric supervision |
| Warfarin / anticoagulants | Regular Paracetamol use can enhance anticoagulant effect — relevant if infant is on anticoagulant therapy; monitor INR |
| Isoniazid (TB medicine) | Increases toxic Paracetamol metabolite formation — liver damage risk; use under strict paediatric supervision |
| Cholestyramine | Reduces Paracetamol absorption — give Panadol Drops at least 1 hour before Cholestyramine for full therapeutic effect |
| Metoclopramide / Domperidone | Increase rate of Paracetamol absorption — faster onset; not clinically harmful but worth noting in infants with gastric motility issues |
Storage Instructions
- Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place — do not refrigerate
- Protect from direct sunlight and excessive heat
- Keep the bottle tightly closed after every use — concentrated suspension evaporates and degrades if left open
- Shake well before every use — the suspension settles significantly between doses
- Do not use after the expiry date printed on the bottle
- Keep out of reach of children and older siblings — despite being an infant medicine, accidental ingestion of the concentrated 100mg/mL formulation by an older child can cause rapid Paracetamol overdose (بچوں کی پہنچ سے دور رکھیں)
- Use within the period stated on the bottle after first opening — concentrated suspensions have a limited in-use stability once opened
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why are Panadol Drops more concentrated than Panadol Children Liquid? Panadol Drops contain 100mg Paracetamol per mL compared to 120mg per 5mL in Children Liquid — the higher concentration allows very young infants to receive a full therapeutic dose in just 0.5 to 1.2mL, making accurate administration much easier than giving several millilitres of a less concentrated liquid to a young baby.
Q: Can I mix Panadol Drops into my baby's milk bottle? Do not mix into a full feed — if the infant does not finish the entire bottle they will receive an incomplete dose; dispense the drops directly into the infant's cheek using the provided dropper or syringe and then offer a small amount of milk or water to help the infant swallow.
Q: My infant has a fever of 38°C after vaccination — should I give Panadol Drops? A mild fever after vaccination is normal and usually self-limiting — Panadol Drops can be given at the correct weight-based dose to relieve discomfort; however if fever exceeds 39°C, lasts more than 24 hours, or the infant appears very unwell, seek immediate paediatric evaluation.
Q: What should I do if I accidentally give my infant too much Panadol Drops? Seek emergency paediatric care immediately — do not wait for symptoms to appear; Paracetamol overdose symptoms in infants can be delayed by 24 to 72 hours while liver damage is already occurring; early treatment with the antidote N-acetylcysteine is highly effective but time-critical.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and does not replace advice from your paediatrician or pharmacist. Always dose Panadol Drops strictly by the infant's current weight using the calibrated dropper or syringe provided. If accidental overdose is suspected seek emergency paediatric care immediately — even if the infant appears well. Never combine with other Paracetamol-containing medicines. High fever in infants under 6 months always requires prompt medical evaluation.