Calpol®, Panado® & Empaped®: Same Thing or Safe Together? Explained by a Baby Nurse
- Samantha Pieterse
- 9 hours ago
- 7 min read
Many South African parents keep all three of these medicines at home. And when fever or teething hits, it’s easy to wonder, can you give Calpol® and Panado® together, or even add Empaped®, for faster relief?
Let’s clear up the confusion before you double-dose your little one.
Calpol Syrup, Panado Syrup & Empaped Suppositories: What’s Inside and When to Use Each for Children
At first glance, these three medicines look completely different: one’s a pink syrup, one’s green, and one’s a little bullet-shaped suppository that lives in the fridge. But they all have one thing in common: Calpol, Panado, and Empaped each contain paracetamol.
Calpol and Panado are simply different brands of the same paracetamol syrup, while Empaped is the rectal version used when a child can’t keep medicine down. The various colours, flavours, and packaging can make them seem like separate products that can be combined, but medically, they work the same way.
Paracetamol is the go-to option for babies and toddlers with fever, teething pain, or post-vaccine discomfort because it’s gentle on the stomach and safe when given in the correct dose.
Here’s how they differ in use:
Calpol Syrup and Panado Syrup are equally effective. The difference really comes down to the flavour. Some children prefer Calpol’s taste. Others don’t mind Panado.
Empaped Suppositories are a rectal form of paracetamol. They’re absorbed through the rectum into the bloodstream and can be a lifesaver during stomach bugs or middle-of-the-night fevers.
What matters most isn’t which brand you choose, but that you use only one form at a time and measure doses carefully according to your child’s weight.
Here's a quick summary:
How it's Given | Active Ingredient | Best Used For | Notes From a Nurse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Calpol® | Oral | Paracetamol | Reducing fever and mild to moderate pain (such as teething or after vaccines) | Gentle on the stomach. Easy to give. Tastes pleasant for most babies. |
Panado® | Oral | Paracetamol | Lowering a fever and mild to moderate pain (such as teething or after vaccines) | Same as Calpol, different brand. Choose whichever your child prefers. |
Empaped® | Rectal | Paracetamol | Reducing fever or pain when oral medication can’t be given. | Ideal if your baby vomits, spits medicine out, or is asleep. |
💡Nurse tip: Always check the active ingredient.“If it says 'paracetamol', treat it as the same medicine, even if the brand or form appears different.
Why You Shouldn’t Give Calpol, Panado, or Empaped Together
Each of these medicines is the same, which means giving them together can easily push your child over the safe daily limit. A baby or toddler’s liver is still developing, so even a slight overdose may be harmful. The tricky part is that early signs of paracetamol overdose aren’t always obvious. Children may look fine at first, even when their liver is under strain.
Using more than one at the same time doesn’t make the fever go down faster. It just increases the total dose.
If your child can’t keep syrup down or is refusing medicine, simply switch to an alternative form. For example, after 6 hours, move from the syrup to a suppository. I’ll explain the vomiting-and-redosing rules a little further down so you know exactly when to repeat a dose.
What to Do If You’ve Already Given Calpol, Panado, or Empaped Together
If you’ve already mixed these medicines, take a breath. A one-time extra dose of paracetamol is unlikely to cause harm in most children, especially if the amount is small or given close together. The important thing now is to pause, assess, and avoid repeating it.
Here’s what to do next:
Work out the total amount your child has received.
Check the bottles or suppository strength and add up the doses given in the past 24 hours.
Stop all paracetamol for now.
If two products were given together or within a short time, skip the next scheduled paracetamol dose. You can continue comfort measures like fluids, rest, and light clothing while you wait.
Look for any symptoms that don’t seem normal.
Most children show no immediate signs after a one-off extra dose, but seek medical advice the same day if your child becomes unusually drowsy, keeps vomiting, refuses to feed, or seems “not themselves.”
Contact a healthcare provider if you’re unsure about the total dose.
Bring the medication bottles with you or take a clear photo of the labels on them. A nurse or doctor can calculate whether the dose stayed within the safe range for your child’s weight.
Use only one paracetamol product at a time going forward.
Choose either the syrup or a suppository. Switching forms is fine. Using two at once can be dangerous.
Most of the time, a single mix-up is fixable without long-term risk.
When to Get Medical Help After a Double Paracetamol Dose
Most children are completely fine after a once-off extra dose, but seek urgent care if your child shows any of the following:
Unusual sleepiness or difficulty waking up
Repeated vomiting, especially if it starts more than an hour after the doses
Refusing to feed or not drinking at all
Yellowish skin or eyes (rare but concerning)
Fast breathing or looking generally unwell
Irritability that doesn’t match their usual illness pattern
A gut feeling that something isn’t right
If you’re unsure, rather check in. A quick call or visit to Mums & Bums can help confirm whether the total dose is within the safe range for your child’s weight.
How to Dose Calpol, Panado, or Empaped Safely
Knowing the correct dose of paracetamol is one of the most important parts of treating a child’s fever or pain. Even though Calpol, Panado syrup, and Empaped suppositories come in different forms, the dose is always based on your child’s weight, not the brand or type you choose.
Here are the two dosing guides most South African parents use every day.
Paracetamol Syrup Dose (Calpol or Panado – 120 mg/5 ml)
(Use this table if you’re giving the syrup form)
This is the standard dosage guideline for Calpol and Panado in South Africa when using the 120 mg/5 ml syrup for babies and children.
Other brand names: Antalgic SF, Pyngesic S, Painogesic Syrup, Feverpain, Painmol Syrup, Pyralen Syrup, Entalgic Syrup
Age | Dose | How Often |
|---|---|---|
< 2 months | Doctor recommended* | Doctor recommended* |
2 – 3 months | 2.5ml | 4 – 6 hourly |
3 - 6 months | 2.5ml | 6 hourly (4x daily) |
6 – 24 months | 5ml | 6 hourly (4x daily) |
2 – 4 years | 7.5ml | 6 hourly (4x daily) |
4 – 8 years | 10ml | 6 hourly (4x daily) |
8 – 10 years | 15ml | 6 hourly (4x daily) |
10 – 12 years | 20ml | 6 hourly (4x daily) |
Empaped Suppository Dose (Rectal Paracetamol)
(Use this table if you’re giving the suppository form instead of syrup)
Other brand names: Pyracet
Age | Dose | How often |
2 – 12 months | 125mg suppository | 6 hourly (4x daily) |
> 1 year | 250mg suppository | 6 hourly (4x daily) |
💡 Nurse note: Rectal absorption can be a little slower than syrup. Give the suppository time to work before considering adding a different medication.
What If My Child Still Has a Fever After Paracetamol?
If your child’s fever isn’t settling after a dose of paracetamol, it doesn’t always mean something is wrong. Fever can take time to respond, and some illnesses only improve gradually.
However, if your little one is still uncomfortable, the next step is to determine what you can safely use alongside paracetamol and what you should avoid. Paracetamol can safely be alternated with specific children’s pain medicines.
Here’s how to do that:
Group 1 (Paracetamol) | Group 2 (Anti-inflammatory) | Group 3 (Combinations) |
Panado/Calpol | Nurofen | Stilpayne/Stopayne |
Empaped | Ponsten/Ponstel/Ponac Syrup | Myprodol/Mybulin |
| Ponstan suppositories | Lotem |
| Voltaren/Panamore Suppositories or drops |
|
Rules for Alternating Common Pain and Fever Medications
Only give one medicine from the same group every 8 hours.
You can alternate Group 1 and Group 2 medicines every 4 hours.
Don't give any medicine from Group 3 within 8 hours of Group 1 or 2.
For example:
You can give Panado at 2 pm and Nurofen at 6 pm as long as each medicine still follows its own timing rules.
Not sure which fever medicine to use when?
I’ve written a complete guide covering every option South African parents commonly reach for. It includes what each medicine does and how to dose it safely.
👉 Read the full Medicine Guide for South African Parents.
A Last Word on Using Calpol, Panado, and Empaped Safely
Fever can turn even the calmest parent into a clock-watcher, and it’s completely understandable to feel unsure about what to give next or when things should start improving.
The reassuring part is that most fevers do settle with time and rest. Paracetamol remains one of the safest options for little ones, and once you know when to switch forms or alternate with another suitable medicine, the whole picture becomes a lot less stressful. You’re doing your best in a difficult moment, and that truly counts.
If you’d like more support, have a look at some common myths parents believe about fevers. If you ever feel unsure or need personalised guidance, you’re welcome to book an appointment or reach out to us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Calpol, Panado, and Empaped
Is Calpol the same as Panado?
Yes. Both are paracetamol syrups used for fever and mild pain. The differences are mostly brand, flavour, and packaging. They work the same and shouldn’t be given together.
Can I give Panado and Empaped together?
No. Panado syrup and Empaped suppositories both contain paracetamol, just in different forms. Use one or the other, but not both, within the same dose window.
Can I give Calpol and Empaped together?
No. Calpol is paracetamol syrup, and Empaped is paracetamol in suppository form. Giving them together counts as a double dose.
Can I alternate Panado and Nurofen?
Yes, if your child’s fever isn’t settling. You can alternate paracetamol (Panado) with ibuprofen (Nurofen) as long as each medicine stays within its own timing:
Paracetamol every 4–6 hours.
Ibuprofen every 6–8 hours. Never alternate two paracetamol products.
How long does an Empaped suppository take to work?
Usually 30–40 minutes. It can be a helpful option if your child refuses syrup or is vomiting.
What should I do if my baby or child vomits after Panado?
If your baby vomits within 15 minutes, you can repeat the dose. If more time has passed, wait for the next scheduled dose.
Why is my child still hot after paracetamol?
Fever can take time to settle. If your child is still uncomfortable after the correct paracetamol dose, you can consider alternating with medicine such as ibuprofen, or use comfort measures like fluids, rest, and light clothing. Seek help if the fever lasts beyond 3 days or if your child seems unusually unwell.
Is it safe to switch from syrup to a suppository?
Yes, as long as you switch instead of adding. Moving from Calpol/Panado syrup to an Empaped suppository is safe when your child can’t or won’t take oral medication.
Comments