Where did the cheap Calpol alternatives go?

NBLondon

sheramber said:

NBLondon said:

sheramber said:

Galpharm is Ibuprofen and is available online as well.

Galpharm is a brand name - they make many products.  

I am aware of that but used the terminology the OP used.

And I used the terminology correctly...

Calpol is a paracetemol based product; the ibuprofen equivalent is called Calprofen.   

Galpharm make versions of both:  https://www.homewareessentials.co.uk/galpharm-childrens-3-months-paracetamol-oral-suspension-100ml-strawberry  or https://www.homewareessentials.co.uk/galpharm-childrens-3-months-ibuprofen-oral-suspension-100ml-orange 

I've no need to dose any children - but if I ever did - I'd be careful about what actual drug was used...

Jamp

Thanks for the responses.  I'll try Savers when I can and see if they have a cheaper generic (if anyone could confirm recent experience with that that would help as I don't have a Savers locally).  B&M's website has little correlation to what's actually in their shops, in my experience.  Or as per the Which article, Ocado have the Galpharm paracetamol for £2.05 which is cheaper than the other options I can find, though still twice as expensive as a year ago.

Yes, I meant Galpharm's paracetamol suspension, for which I guess 'Calpol' is the 'Hoover' equivalent.  In fact, Home Bargains etc do still stock Galpharm's Ibuprofen Suspension, amongst other Galpharm products, so it seems to be the paracetamol which is in shortage.  Similarly Poundland apparently do/did an equivalent (as per the Which article - thanks), but staff there said they haven't seen it for months.

Good idea re diluting the 6+ 250mg, but I'd worry about whether the mixture might separate out in storage and whether we're good enough at remembering to shake the bottle before dosing.

I'd prefer not to burden the NHS with the cost of our Calpol/equivalent since I can in fact afford it, I just don't like being stiffed for 3x the cost for the brand! But many thanks for pointing out the scheme which I will mention in the pharmacists.  To be fair our pharmacist has been quite good with finding 20% off vouchers and so on for us, and thankfully the Lloyds' cherry flavoured stuff seems to go down quite well!

sheramber

There have been supply problems with Paracetamol due to inflation and covid outbreaks increasing  demand

I doubt you will find it a cheap as it was before.- like everything else on the shelves.

TerminalChimp

I wouldn't personally dillute medication and give it to my child. I would be concerned about contaminating the medicine, but also not knowing what dosage of medication that I was giving them.

ChardMph

I completely understand your frustration with the rising cost of baby essentials, especially with triplets!

silvercar

It is one thing giving half doses, though you need to very measure accurately. From memory it is thick and so difficult to measure with a spoon as the liquid sits above the spoon lip, so you are never sure what is a level spoonful and what is heaped.

I would caution against diluting. You risk contamination. Also you don't know that your dilutant won't have an effect on the medicine, including its shelf life. I presume people will suggest water, but that isn't failsafe as an inert dilutant.
Remember the covid tests, that had to be mixed with the solution that came with the tests, not water out of the tap.