Irish Pharmacy Union issue warning to parents on health risks when giving medicines to children
16 June 2014: Pharmacists today highlighted the need for parents to be extremely careful about giving medicine to children and to always seek the advice of their pharmacist first to determine the correct medicine and the correct dose appropriate to their child’s age and symptoms. Pharmacists are warning never to give a child a medicine that is meant for an adult and never give a child two types of medications which contain the same ingredients to avoid a possible overdose or dangerous interaction. Pharmacists also warned about the dangers of providing medicines to young children in order to sedate them during long journeys or get them to sleep at night.
Bernard Duggan, Pharmacist and Honorary Treasurer of the IPU, said, “It is important to ensure the safe use of both over-the-counter and prescription medicines as some medicines are only suitable for adults and not for children. Medicine dosages for children should be adjusted according to the age and weight of the child. Too little medication can be ineffective and too much medication can be harmful. Also, different medications have different concentrations of ingredients. The best approach is to ask your pharmacist first for advice.”
The following advice is a guideline for parents when giving medicine to a child:
• Do not use medicines to put children to sleep during long journeys or at night.
• Be sure you are giving the right medicine and the right amount. Check with your pharmacist first.
• Read and follow the directions on the label. Never give the medicine more frequently than recommended by your pharmacist or doctor.
• Always use a 5ml spoon or dosage syringe provided with the medication. Never guess the dose.
• Follow age and weight limit recommendations. If the label says don’t give to children under a certain age or weight, don’t do it.
• Make sure the child takes all of the medicine each time it is given.
• Check with the pharmacist first before chilling or crushing medicine as this could alter the effectiveness of some medicines.
• Do not give aspirin to children under 16, unless it is specifically prescribed by a doctor.
• Store medicines in a cool dry place and well out of the reach of children, preferably in a safe location.
Parents are also advised to always inform their pharmacist if their child has any allergies or is taking any other medication.
“If a parent notices any adverse side effects having given their child medication (other than that outlined by their pharmacist) such as a rash, hives, vomiting or diarrhoea or has trouble breathing or swallowing, they should seek immediate medical assistance,”concluded Mr Duggan.
Article Via IPU
