The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has become aware that the caps on some children's liquid medicines may require tightening to ensure the child-resistant closure is activated correctly.
Importantly, the quality and effectiveness of the medicines concerned are not affected by this problem.
On this page: What parents and caregivers need to do | Child-resistant closures (caps) | Products that the TGA is aware may be affected by this problem | About the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
What parents and caregivers need to do
If you have purchased ANY medicine with a child-resistant closure you should:
- Check the cap is working correctly by TIGHTENING it fully and THEN making sure that it does not unscrew without pressing down on the cap.
- Fully activate the closure after each use of the medicine.
- If you find that the cap does not lock properly, you should take the product to the place of purchase for advice.
Products that the TGA is aware may be affected is provided below.
Child-resistant closures (caps)
To help prevent accidental poisoning by small children, some medicines are required to have child-resistant closures.
A child-resistant cap locks onto the medicine container when tightened. It may make a 'clicking' sound, but should not unscrew unless the cap is pressed down firmly at the same time.
Many medicines used for pain relief and fever are required to have a child-resistant closure.
It is important to ensure that the child resistant closure is correctly activated after each use of the medicine.
Consumers are reminded that even where child resistant closures are present and operating correctly, it is important to keep medicines away from children.
Products that the TGA is aware may be affected by this problem
This list may not be complete and you should check the child-resistant closures on all medicines currently in your possession.
| Product | AUST R number |
|---|---|
| Chemmart Pharmacy Children's Paracetamol 1-5 years Colour Free Suspension | 78708 |
| Chemmart Pharmacy Children's Paracetamol 5-12 years Colour Free Suspension | 78688 |
| Chemmart Pharmacy Dry Cough Mixture | 94135 |
| Chemmart Pharmacy Head Cold & Allergy Elixir | 69965 |
| Demazin Cough & Cold Relief Colour Free 2 years - adult | 151700 |
| Pharmacy Choice Dry Cough Mixture | 132943 |
| Pharmacy Choice Head Cold and Allergy Elixir | 132710 |
| Pharmacy Choice Paracetamol Children's Suspension 1-5 years | 126542 |
| Pharmacy Choice Paracetamol Children's Suspension 5-12 years | 126543 |
| Pharmacy Health Cold & Cough Elixir | 93726 |
| Pharmacy Health Colour Free Children's Paracetamol Suspension 1-5 years | 82401 |
| Pharmacy Health Colour Free Children's Paracetamol Suspension 5-12 years | 82400 |
| Pharmacy Health Dry Tickly Cough Mixture | 81746 |
| Pharmacy Health Ibuprofen 20mg/mL Suspension Oral Liquid | 93610 |
| Priceline Congested Cold and Cough Elixir | 132871 |
| Priceline Decongestant and Antihistamine Elixir | 132595 |
| Priceline Dry Tickly Cough Mixture> | 148058 |
| Priceline Ibuprofen Suspension for Children | 123258 |
| Priceline Paracetamol Colour Free Suspension 1-5 years | 124631 |
| Priceline Paracetamol Colour Free 5-12 years | 124416 |
| Soul Pattinson Colour Free Children's Paracetamol Suspension 5-12 Years | 74522 |
| Soul Pattinson Cold & Cough Elixir | 81838 |
| Soul Pattinson Dry Tickly Cough Medicine | 58502 |
| Soul Pattinson Dry Raspy Cough Linctus | 24185 |
| Terry White Chemists Dry Cough Mixture | 94137 |
| Terry White Chemists Head Cold and Allergy Elixir | 77790 |
| Terry White Chemists Paracetamol Colour Free Suspension Children 1-5 years | 78707 |
| Terry White Chemists Paracetamol Colour Free Suspension Children 5-12 years | 78613 |
| Your Pharmacy Colour Free Paracetamol Suspension 1-5 years | 119143 |
| Your Pharmacy Colour Free Paracetamol Suspension 5-12 years | 119556 |
| Your Pharmacy Congested Cold & Cough Medicine | 155127 |
| Your Pharmacy Congested Cough Medicine | 155386 |
| Your Pharmacy Decongestant and Antihistamine Elixir | 150378 |
| Your Pharmacy Dry Tickly Cough Medicine | 139219 |
About the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
- The TGA is part of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, and is responsible for regulating medicines and medical devices.
- TGA administers the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act), applying a risk management approach designed to ensure therapeutic goods supplied in Australia meet acceptable standards of quality, safety and efficacy (performance).
- The work of the TGA is based on applying scientific and clinical expertise to decision-making, to ensure that the benefits to consumers outweigh any risks associated with the use of medicines and medical devices.
- The TGA relies on the public, healthcare professionals and industry to report problems with medicines or medical devices. TGA investigates reports received by it to determine any necessary regulatory action.
- To report a problem with a medicine or medical device, please see information on the TGA website: Report a problem.