Calpol Sugar Free Infant Strawberry Suspension

What Is Calpol Sugar Free Infant Suspension?

When your baby is unwell, you want something you can trust. Calpol sugar free infant suspension is one of the most widely recognised paracetamol-based medicines for infants in the UK, formulated specifically for children aged 2 months and over. Each 5ml dose contains 120mg of paracetamol, providing effective relief from mild to moderate pain — including teething discomfort, post-vaccination soreness, and the aches that come with colds — as well as helping to bring down a high temperature. It's sugar free, which means it's kinder to your baby's developing teeth, and the familiar strawberry flavour makes it easier to administer.

Available without a prescription, this suspension is a staple in many family medicine cabinets. You'll find it alongside other trusted products in our baby and toddler range, making it easy to stock up on everything your little one might need in one place.

How Does Calpol Sugar Free Infant Suspension Work?

Paracetamol — the active ingredient in this suspension — works centrally in the brain and nervous system. It inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are chemical messengers responsible for triggering both pain signals and the rise in body temperature associated with fever. By reducing prostaglandin activity, paracetamol helps your baby feel more comfortable without masking serious symptoms that need medical attention.

• Paracetamol is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration
• It reaches peak plasma concentration within 30–60 minutes in most infants
• It acts on the hypothalamus to lower elevated body temperature
• It does not have significant anti-inflammatory properties at standard doses

Who Should Use Calpol Sugar Free Infant Suspension?

This suspension is designed for infants and young children who need short-term relief from pain or fever. It is particularly useful after routine vaccinations, during teething, or when your child has a cold or mild infection. It is not suitable for children under 2 months of age, and premature babies should only receive it if they are at least 3 months corrected gestational age and weigh over 4kg.

• Babies aged 2 months and over (full-term)
• Premature babies aged 3 months corrected age, weighing over 4kg
• Children experiencing mild to moderate pain or fever
• Children who require a sugar-free paracetamol formulation

How Does Calpol Sugar Free Compare to Standard Calpol Infant Suspension?

How Should You Store Calpol Sugar Free Infant Suspension?

Proper storage is important to maintain the effectiveness and safety of this medicine. Store the bottle below 25°C and do not refrigerate — chilling can affect the consistency of the suspension. Always keep the bottle tightly closed and out of the sight and reach of children. Once opened, use within the period stated on the packaging.

If you're building up your home medicine kit, our pain relief collection includes a range of options for the whole family, from infant suspensions to adult analgesics. Always check the expiry date before use, and never use a medicine that has passed its expiry date or shows signs of deterioration.

This product is a medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using if you have an underlying medical condition or are taking other medicines.

What Is Calpol Sugar Free Infant Strawberry Suspension and What Is It Used For?

Calpol Sugar Free Infant Strawberry Suspension is an oral paracetamol liquid medicine containing 120mg of paracetamol per 5ml. It is used to relieve mild to moderate pain in infants and young children — including teething pain, headache, sore throat, and aches associated with colds and flu — and to reduce fever (high temperature). It is licensed for use in children from 2 months of age and is available over the counter without a prescription. The sugar-free formulation makes it a suitable choice for children who need regular doses, as it reduces the risk of dental decay associated with sugar-containing medicines.

What Do You Need to Know Before Using Calpol Sugar Free Infant Suspension?

Before giving this medicine to your child, read the following carefully. Do not use this suspension if any of the contraindications below apply.

Do not use if your child:

• Is under 2 months of age (or under 3 months corrected age if premature)
• Has a known allergy or hypersensitivity to paracetamol or any other ingredient in the suspension
• Is already taking another medicine containing paracetamol — this includes many cold and flu remedies
• Has severe liver or kidney disease

Possible drug interactions — tell your pharmacist if your child is taking:

• Warfarin or other anticoagulants (regular paracetamol use may increase bleeding risk)
• Metoclopramide or domperidone (may speed up paracetamol absorption)
• Cholestyramine (may reduce paracetamol absorption if taken within one hour)
• Any other paracetamol-containing product

How Should You Use Calpol Sugar Free Infant Suspension?

Always use the oral dosing syringe provided in the pack — never use a kitchen spoon, as this will not give an accurate dose. Shake the bottle well before each use.

1. Remove the bottle cap and insert the syringe into the neck of the bottle
2. Invert the bottle and draw up the correct dose for your child's age or weight
3. Return the bottle to an upright position and remove the syringe
4. Place the tip of the syringe gently into your baby's mouth, towards the inside of the cheek
5. Slowly push the plunger to release the suspension — do not squirt it to the back of the throat
6. Rinse the syringe with clean water after each use

If your child's fever does not improve within 24 hours, or their pain persists beyond 3 days, seek medical advice. For broader family health needs, our cold and flu range includes additional products to help manage symptoms in older children and adults.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Calpol Sugar Free Infant Suspension?

Paracetamol is generally very well tolerated in children when used at the correct dose. Side effects are uncommon, but you should be aware of the following.

Common side effects:

• None reported at therapeutic doses in most children

Less common side effects:

• Skin rash or itching
• Nausea or stomach discomfort
• Flushing

Serious side effects — seek immediate medical help if your child develops:

• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (signs of a serious allergic reaction)
• Severe skin reactions such as blistering or peeling
• Signs of liver problems: yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, persistent nausea

How Should You Store Calpol Sugar Free Infant Suspension?

• Store below 25°C — do not refrigerate or freeze
• Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use
• Store in the original packaging to protect from light
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the label
• Do not dispose of medicines via wastewater or household waste — return unused medicine to your pharmacist

If you're looking for other essentials to keep at home, our first aid collection has everything from wound care to thermometers, so you're always prepared.