The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that roughly 200,000 children end up in the emergency room each year because of harm from a medication. That’s why it’s crucial to keep medications in a place your child can’t easily access. Keeping medications away from childrenĬhildren are naturally curious and won’t hesitate to explore the medicine cabinet. You should also never give aspirin to kids because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome.Ī pediatrician may have you try some non-medicinal treatments, like fluids, vaporizers, or saline rinses to treat your child before recommending medications. Keep in mind that over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medications are not recommended for children under 6 years old. Never try to diagnose your child yourself. Always check in with a doctor if you’re unsure whether your child’s symptoms need medication. When it comes to medications, giving too much or too little could cause serious side effects. When your child is sick, you’ll do anything to make them feel better. Don’t just fill up the cup or syringe or “eyeball” it.įor all prescription medications, always finish the amount prescribed by the doctor, even if you begin to feel better before that. Check your measurement at least twice before ingesting. If the liquid medication doesn’t come with a dosing device, purchase a measuring device from a drugstore or pharmacy. A kitchen spoon most likely won’t be as accurate as the dosing device because it doesn’t provide standard measurements. Most importantly, only use the dosing device that comes with the drug. If the label says so, you should shake the bottle before pouring a dose of the medication. These medications shouldn’t be crushed or dissolved. Others have a coating that prevents them from being broken down in the stomach. Some medications have a timed-release outer coating that releases the medication slowly over time. The label might specify whether the medication can be crushed or sprinkled on food, but it’s always a good idea to double check.Ĭrushing or mixing can alter the effectiveness of certain drugs. If you still have difficulty swallowing a capsule or tablet, you may be able to crush it and mix it with soft food, like applesauce, but you should check with your pharmacist first. If a pill is stuck in your throat, try taking the steps in this article. If you have trouble swallowing the pill, try tilting your chin slightly toward your chest (not back) and swallowing with your head bent forward (not back). To avoid choking, swallow a capsule medication with a gulp of water. Drug interactions may include interaction with other drugs, as well as with food, alcohol, and more. Check for the most common side effects that you may experience. However, it’s recommended to be safe and not take any expired medications. Some medications are still safe to use after expiration, but may not be as effective. Most medications need to be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, but some need to be put in the refrigerator. For example, the medication might need to be taken with food. This is to see whether it’s swallowed, chewed and then swallowed, rubbed onto the skin, breathed into the lungs, or inserted into the ears, eyes, or rectum, etc. This includes how much to take and how often, as well as what to do if you miss a dose. You should never take a medication that’s prescribed to someone else, even if you have the exact same condition. Pay particular attention to medications that contain a combination of multiple drugs.
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