Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts - 12 Pack

What Are Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts and How Do They Help?

When your child is unwell with a fever or aching from a cold, getting medicine into them quickly can feel like a battle. Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts offer a genuinely practical solution — a strawberry-flavoured dissolving tablet that melts on the tongue without needing water or the usual struggle with spoons of liquid. Each pack contains 12 tablets, making it a handy option to keep in the medicine cabinet at home or to take out with you. Available from our baby and toddler range, these tablets are designed specifically for children aged 6 years and over.

Each tablet contains 250mg of paracetamol, a well-established analgesic and antipyretic used widely in children's medicine across the UK. Paracetamol has a long safety record when used at the correct dose, and the NHS recommends it as a first-line option for managing mild to moderate pain and fever in children.

How Does Paracetamol in Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts Work?

Paracetamol works primarily in the central nervous system. It inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins — chemical messengers that sensitise pain receptors and contribute to the rise in body temperature during illness. By reducing prostaglandin activity in the brain, paracetamol both lowers fever and dulls the perception of pain.

• Blocks prostaglandin production in the brain and spinal cord
• Reduces elevated body temperature (antipyretic effect)
• Decreases the sensation of mild to moderate pain (analgesic effect)
• Dissolving format allows rapid absorption via the oral mucosa and gastrointestinal tract

The fastmelt format is not just about convenience. Because the tablet dissolves quickly on the tongue, it may be absorbed slightly faster than a standard swallowed tablet, which can be helpful when your child is distressed and you need relief to begin promptly.

Who Is Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts Suitable For?

These tablets are intended for children aged 6 to 12 years. They are particularly useful for children who find it difficult to swallow tablets or who refuse liquid medicines. That said, they are not appropriate for every child — always check the full list of contraindications before use.

• Children aged 6 to 12 years with mild to moderate pain (e.g. headache, toothache, sore throat)
• Children with a fever caused by cold, flu, or post-vaccination reactions
• Children who struggle to swallow conventional tablets or capsules
• Children who dislike the taste or texture of liquid paracetamol suspensions

They are not suitable for children under 6 years, children with phenylketonuria (due to aspartame content), or those with known hypersensitivity to paracetamol. If your child has liver or kidney problems, speak to your GP or pharmacist before use.

How Do Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts Compare to Calpol Six Plus Suspension?

How Should Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts Be Stored?

Store Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts below 25°C in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep the pack tightly closed when not in use. As with all medicines, store out of the sight and reach of children — even though these tablets are flavoured and child-friendly in format, accidental ingestion of multiple tablets can cause serious harm.

Check the expiry date printed on the packaging before each use. Do not use the tablets if the packaging is damaged or if the tablets appear discoloured or broken. If you need to browse further options for managing your child's symptoms, our cold and flu collection includes a range of suitable products.

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 SixPlus Fastmelts and What Is It Used For?

Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts are orodispersible paracetamol tablets containing 250mg of paracetamol each. They are used to relieve mild to moderate pain in children aged 6 to 12 years — including headaches, toothache, sore throats, and the aches associated with colds and flu. They are also used to reduce fever, including fever following childhood vaccinations. The NHS recommends paracetamol as a first-line treatment for pain and fever in children when used at the correct dose.

What Do You Need to Know Before Using Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts?

Do not give these tablets to your child if any of the following apply:

• Your child is under 6 years of age
• Your child has a known allergy or hypersensitivity to paracetamol or any other ingredient in the tablet
• Your child has been diagnosed with phenylketonuria — the tablets contain aspartame, a source of phenylalanine
• Your child has severe liver or kidney disease

Speak to your pharmacist or GP before use if your child has liver problems, kidney problems, or is malnourished, as these conditions can affect how paracetamol is processed in the body.

Be aware of the following potential drug interactions:

• Do not use alongside other paracetamol-containing products (e.g. cold and flu remedies, other pain relief syrups) — this risks paracetamol overdose
• Paracetamol may enhance the anticoagulant effect of warfarin with regular use — seek medical advice if your child takes warfarin
• Medicines that speed up or slow down stomach emptying (e.g. metoclopramide) may affect how quickly paracetamol is absorbed

How Should You Use Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts?

Always follow the dosage instructions on the packaging or as directed by your pharmacist. The tablets are designed to dissolve on the tongue — no water is required. If you are also managing other symptoms such as a runny nose or congestion, you may find our ear, nose and throat collection helpful for complementary products.

1. Check the child's age and weight to confirm the correct dose
2. Place the tablet on the child's tongue
3. Allow the tablet to dissolve fully — do not chew or swallow whole
4. No water is needed, but a small sip can be offered if preferred
5. Note the time of the dose and do not repeat within 4 hours
6. Do not give more than 4 doses in any 24-hour period

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts?

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

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 children):

• Nausea
• Stomach discomfort

Less common or rare side effects:

• Skin rash or itching — stop use immediately if this occurs
• Low blood pressure (hypotension) — particularly with intravenous paracetamol, but rarely reported with oral use
• Blood disorders such as thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) — very rare
• Serious liver damage — only in cases of overdose; seek emergency help immediately if overdose is suspected

If your child develops any unexpected symptoms after taking these tablets, stop use and contact your GP or pharmacist. In the event of a suspected overdose, go to your nearest A&E immediately, even if your child appears well — paracetamol overdose symptoms can be delayed.

How Should You Store Calpol SixPlus Fastmelts?

• Store below 25°C in a dry place
• Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture
• Keep the blister pack sealed until use
• Store out of the sight and reach of children
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the packaging
• Do not dispose of medicines via wastewater or household waste — return unused medicines to your pharmacy

If you are looking for additional support products for your child's health, our vitamins and supplements collection includes options to support immune health in children.