Pharmacists have been reminded to speak to parents and carers about carefully inspecting Buccolam pre-filled plastic syringes before giving the medicine.

Buccolam is an epilepsy medicine available in pre-filled oral syringes. A defect with some syringes means that the translucent (white) tip-cap can sometimes remain attached to the syringe after the red cap has been taken off, becoming a choking hazard. If you think the tip-cap is in the patient’s mouth, do not attempt to remove it. Instead, turn the patient onto their side (recovery position) and make sure they spit it out when they stop fitting.