Using Medications Safely

Using medications safely means knowing when they're necessary - and when they're not. Always check with the doctor if you're unsure whether your child's symptoms require medical treatment.

In many cases, non-medicinal treatments may be your child's best bet for a quick recovery, especially with mild cases of the flu or the common cold. Resting (preferably in bed) can help the body fight a virus, and plenty of clear fluids such as water, juice, and broth will help your child avoid dehydration from body fluids lost through vomiting, diarrhea, perspiration, and nasal secretions.

If your child suffers from congestion and a stuffy nose, saline drops can thin nasal secretions. A cool-mist humidifier or a warm-air vaporizer keeps moisture in the air, helping to loosen your child's congestion. If you use a humidifier or vaporizer, though, be sure to clean it thoroughly every day because bacteria and mold can develop if it isn't kept clean and dry.

To ensure the safe use of prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, you should discuss your child's symptoms with your child's doctor and pharmacist. When it comes to giving your child medicines, you'll need to know: 

Because the dosages of prescription and OTC medicines depend on your child's height and weight, make sure the doctor and pharmacist have updated information about your child's size. Too little medication can be ineffective and too much medication could be harmful to your child. Also, if your child has allergies or takes other medications regularly, make sure the doctor and pharmacist know about your child's history.

Sometimes medicines should be given on an as-needed basis (meaning they are given only when your child needs them for certain symptoms, such as pain or discomfort). For many medications, though, your child will need to finish all of the medicine as prescribed by the doctor - even if he begins to feel better beforehand. For example, antibiotics help to kill bacteria in the body and prevent it from growing, so it's important to finish all doses of prescribed antibiotics even after symptoms disappear. But over-the-counter drugs that relieve symptoms like aches, pains, or fever (such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen) should only be taken as your doctor recommends.

Never give aspirin to children younger than 12, and all children and teens under age 19 should avoid aspirin during viral illnesses. Using aspirin during an illness caused by a virus (such as the flu, chicken pox, or an upper respiratory infection) can cause Reye syndrome, a potentially life-threatening disease with symptoms such as an enlarged liver, nausea, and extreme fatigue. Because some over-the-counter medicines (such as some headache and anti-nausea medicines) contain aspirin, you should always read labels and check with your child's doctor before using OTC medicines. Also, be on the lookout for labels - some aspirin-containing medications have labels that use words other than aspirin (such as salicylate or  acetylsalicylate), so avoid those medications, too. 

Other tips for safe medication use:  

Giving Medicine to Your Child

Once you've made it home with your child's medicine, you'll still need to take a few precautions. First, check to make sure you have the correct prescription. Many prescription and medicine bottles look the same, so make sure your child's name is on the label and it's the medicine that the doctor recommended or prescribed. Also check the medicine's expiration date, especially in the case of over-the-counter medicines. Be especially careful when reaching into the medicine cabinet in the middle of the night - it's easy to grab the wrong bottle when you're sleepy. 

Read All Instructions
Both prescription and OTC medications may come with printed inserts about common side effects and further instructions about how to take the medicine. Be sure to read all information carefully each time you give your child medicine, and call the doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the instructions.  

With or Without Food?
All prescription medicines contain labels or instructions about how to take the medicine. For example, the medicine may say "take with food or milk," which means the medicine may upset your child's empty stomach or that food may improve absorption of the medicine. In this case, your child should eat a snack or meal right before or after taking the medicine.  

Another common instruction on prescription medicines is "take on an empty stomach," in which case your child should take the medicine 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal because food may prevent the medicine from working properly or may delay or reduce absorption of the medicine. Some medications interact only with certain foods or nutrients, such as dairy products, so be sure to check the label for any additional instructions.  

Your child's medication may instruct you to shake it before using so that the active ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the liquid. 

The Right Dose
Giving your child the correct dose of medicine is important because most medicines need to be taken in a certain amount and at certain times to be effective. If your child has been prescribed medicine, the dose will be written on the prescription label. If you're giving your child an OTC medicine, the dose should be printed on the package insert, product box, or product label. In general, you should never give over-the-counter medications to children younger than 2 years old without a doctor's OK.  

There are a variety of ways to measure your child's medicine, and the best one to use depends on your child's age and willingness to take the medicine. For babies who aren't yet able to drink from a cup, try a calibrated dosing syringe. Using a syringe, you can dispense the medication into your baby's mouth, making it less likely that she'll spit it out. Be careful when using a syringe, though - many come with a small cap on the end, which can be a choking hazard to young children. Store a medication syringe in a safe place out of the reach of your child.  

Another option for giving medication to young babies and children is a plastic dropper. Your child may also be able to use a cylindrical dosing spoon, which comes with a long handle that makes it easier for children to grab. If your child can drink easily from a cup without spilling, the dosage cups that come with many medications may be useful.  

Never use tableware or a kitchen spoon to measure your child's medication because these utensils don't provide standard measurements. Instead, visit your local pharmacy or drugstore to find a measuring device designed to deliver accurate medication doses. 

"But It Tastes Yucky!"
Is your child balking at the idea of taking medicine? Try these tips to get your kids to take their medications willingly:  

Some pharmacies use flavorings such as chocolate, cherry, grape, and bubble gum to make drugs such as antibiotics and cough syrup more palatable for children. Although supporters say the better-tasting flavor may be an incentive for a child who has to take medication regularly, other experts say the chemicals in the flavoring may diminish the effectiveness of the drug. Large grocery store and drugstore chains offer flavoring to their customers; check with your child's doctor or your pharmacist for more information about the safety of flavoring in your child's medicine, especially if your child has an allergy to certain dyes or sweeteners. You may also be able to mix chocolate or maple syrup with medication to make it taste better. 

Even if your child protests when it comes to taking medicine, you should never tell her that medicine is candy to entice her to take it. This tactic can backfire, and your child could accidentally overdose by taking dangerous medicine she thought was a tasty treat. Instead, teach your child that medicine can make her feel better, but that she should never take it without a parent's supervision. If your child spits out or vomits her medication, don't give her another dose - call your child's doctor for instructions. 

Side Effects

After giving your child a dose of medicine, be on the lookout for side effects or allergic reactions. The pharmacist or product packaging may warn you about specific side effects, such as drowsiness or hyperactivity. If your child has side effects such as rashes, hives, vomiting, or diarrhea, talk to your child's doctor or a pharmacist. Penicillin and other antibiotics are among the most common prescription drugs to cause an allergic reaction. 

If your child is wheezing, has trouble breathing, or has severe pain after taking a medication, seek emergency help by calling 911 or going to the emergency department immediately. These could be symptoms of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction to a specific trigger, including certain medicines, foods, or insect stings.  

Safe Storage

You'll need to be as vigilant about storing your child's medications as you were about giving your child the correct dose. Read the medication's instructions - some drugs need to remain refrigerated, but most should be stored in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.  

Despite the convenience of your bathroom's medicine cabinet, its location makes it a poor choice for storing most medicines because of the humidity and moisture from the tub or shower. Instead, store medicines in their original containers in a dry, locked location that your child can't reach.  

Child-resistant caps can be difficult for even adults to open, but make sure to protect your children by re-locking and recapping child-resistant bottles properly. Finally, dispose of medicine safely by flushing it down the toilet. Never throw away medicines into a garbage can that your child could easily find.

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