Keeping medicine safe for kids

Are you giving your child medicines safely?

The government has warned parents not to give cough and cold medicines to children under 2 unless it’s under doctor’s orders.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, use of over-the-counter medicines may be to blame for more than 1500 under-2s needing ER treatment since 2004. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control says that three children under 2 have died as a result of being given OTC medicines.

All-too-easy to overdose…

Officials say it’s all too easy for parents to inadvertently overdose their children (research suggests that 70% of parents have difficulty working out what dose to give their children); and that many parents aren’t aware that combining cold and cough remedies with pain relievers that contain the same active ingredient may also result in an overdose. Such an overdose can affect a young child’s heart rate and raise their blood pressure, putting them at risk of a stroke.

Tips to give medicine safely

• Consult your pediatrician before giving any OTC medicine to your under-2 child.
• Stick to pediatric medicines Never give your child medicine that is designed for adults – even if you reducing the dose it will still be too strong for your child.
• Check before mixing medicines Never give your child a combination of medicines without asking your pediatrician or pharmacist if it is safe to do so.
• Read the label to familiarize yourself with any potential side-effects before giving medicine to your child.
• Carefully follow the dosage instructions for your child’s age and weight. Don’t give medicines to your child if she’s younger than the recommended age limit.
• Use the measuring cup or syringe provided to measure out the dose – never ‘guesstimate’.
• Never give her extra Don’t be tempted give your child more than the recommended dose, even if she is particularly ill.
• Avoid aspirin, as it has been linked with a rare illness called Reyes Syndrome. The US Surgeon General warns that children under 19 should not be given aspirin unless it’s at the direction of a doctor.
• Store medicines (and vitamin supplements) safely out of your child’s reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Act immediately in an emergency If you think you may have given your child too much medicine, take her to your local ER immediately, bringing the medicine with you.

 

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