Uttarakhand Puts Infant Paracetamol Syrup Under Scrutiny; Here's Why

The government of Uttarakhand has placed children's paracetamol syrup under strict surveillance and directed inspections across the state. There have been instructions given to medical stores not to sell the medicine for kids below four years of age without a doctor's prescription. According to state health authorities, drug inspectors in all districts have been directed to collect samples of the syrup and maintain detailed records. While the samples are being collected, health officers say that of the eight samples that have been received so far, none failed quality checks. Uttarakhand health minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat has said strict action will be taken against any medical store found violating prescription norms. “Action will be taken against any medical store dispensing

medicines without a doctor's prescription," Rawat told Times of India. The decision comes as at least 22 children have died in Madhya Pradesh after they were given cough syrup since last month. Authorities say the children died of kidney failure after consuming Coldrif. Since then, the product has been banned, and the owner of the company that manufactured it has been arrested. Laboratory tests revealed that the syrup contained 48.6 per cent of diethylene glycol – a dangerous chemical compound.

Key reasons for scrutiny

A few reasons why the authorities have called for a watch of pediatric paracetamol include:

Quality control

Authorities may investigate to ensure the product is safe for infants, as there have been many past incidents like contamination of syrups with toxic substances like DEG and ethylene glycol, or EG, which have highlighted the need for strict quality checks.

Accidental overdoses

Not giving a proper dosage of paracetamol is a significant concern - especially with syrups for infants.

Parental overuse

Experts say even though paracetamol is generally safe when used correctly, parents may even overuse it, leading to potential harm from excessive intake.

What are the side effects of paracetamol?

Usually, paracetamol is safe at recommended doses, but doctors say dangerous side effects can occur, ranging from mild to severe, with overdose. Regular, long-term use is also associated with potential adverse effects in children and infants, such as:

• Bloody or black, tarry stools
• Bloody or cloudy urine
• High fever with or without chills
• Pain in the lower back and
• Red spots on the skin
• Skin rash, hives, or itching
• Sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• Sudden decrease in the amount of urine
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Yellow eyes or skin

Precautions to take

According to experts, it is extremely important that the doctor regularly checks the progress of your child while you are using paracetamol, as it will allow them to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue. If your symptoms or fever do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Many combination medicines contain acetaminophen - the active ingredient contained in Paracetamol – and so, adding these medicines to the medicines you already take may cause you to get more than a safe amount of acetaminophen. Always talk to your doctor before taking more than one medicine that contains acetaminophen. Check with your doctor right away if your child has pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin, as these could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.