Is paracetamol safe? According to Dr Ratsogi, paracetamol is the safest medicine that can be used to reduce fever in children. If the body temperature is too high, she suggests combining tepid sponging along with administering the medicine. She also cautioned, "Never use other salicylate like aspirin as in rare cases it may cause liver damage if given during a viral illness." Dosage The dosage of administering paracetamol depends on the child's weight and varies accordingly. The pediatrician explained, "So, if there are 2 children of 2 years - one child is 8 kg and other is 12 kg. Dosage of both will be different." She also warns that both underdosing and overdosing can be harmful, making it crucial to follow the exact dosage prescribed by your physician. Drops vs syrups The doctor notes that it is important to confirm whether your child has been prescribed drops or syrup, as the concentration differs between the two forms of paracetamol. She says that drops are more concentrated than syrups, explaining, "1 ml of drop has 100 mg of Paracetamol while syrup has 25 or 50 mg." Composition A wide range of paracetamol formulations are commercially available. Dr. Rastogi said, "Don't use combinations like Paracetamol with mefenamic acid or ibuprofen in children." Unless, in very rare cases, it is prescribed by your child's pediatrician, she said. Can you reuse unsealed bottles? Dr Rastogi highlighted this as the single most important point, saying, "Do not reuse the bottle that was kept from last time, which was used a few months ago when there was a fever." Effectiveness and potency of the medicine decreases over time, and it is crucial to use a sealed, unopened bottle or one that has been opened within the past month.