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 Medicine
What
is the best way to give my child medicine?
For your child's medicine
to work, it must be taken as directed. The following are important things
to remember:
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Stick
with the schedule. Don't skip a dose of your child's medicine. Ask your
pediatrician or pharmacist what to do if a dose isn't given on time.
-
Give
the right amount. Measure carefully. Don't give your child more medicine
because you think it may work better or faster. Giving your child more medicine
than is needed may harm her. Follow the directions exactly.
-
Know
your child's weight. Check the label to see how much medicine to give
based on your child's weight. Age is not always an accurate measure of how
much medicine to give your child.
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Don't
stop too soon. Your child should finish all of her prescription medicine,
even if she begins to feel better. The same goes for when she doesn't like
the taste of the medicine or protests. This is especially true for antibiotics.
The infection can come back if the medicine is stopped too soon.
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Don't
try to hide the medicine. Even though most children's medicines come
in flavors to make them taste better, your child may hate the taste and
spit it out. It's not a good idea to try to hide the medicine in milk or
food. This may affect how the medicine works. Your child may also only eat
part of it, or it may settle to the bottom and never get into her mouth.
Try giving an older child chewable tablets instead of liquids.
Liquid medicines
Many children's medicines
come in liquid form because they are easier to swallow than pills. But they
must be used the right way. Parents often misread the directions and give
their children too much medicine. This can be very dangerous, especially if
given over a period of several days. Always read the instructions carefully.
Call your pediatrician if you aren't sure how much medicine to give your child
or how often or for how long to give the medicine to your child. Use the measuring
device that comes with the medicine (your tablespoons or teaspoons at home
are usually not accurate).
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Dosing
spoons. Works well for older children who can open their mouths and
"drink" from the spoon.
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Medicine
cups. These often come as caps on liquid cold and flu medicines. Make
sure to use the cup that comes with the medicine—don't mix and match
cups to other products.
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Syringes
and oral droppers. Works well for infants. Simply squirt the medicine
between your child's tongue and the side of her mouth (not the back of the
throat). This makes it easier for her to swallow. If you have a syringe
with a plastic cap, throw the cap into the trash so that it does not fall
off in your child's mouth. Studies have shown that many parents think that
the entire syringe or dropper needs to be filled with the medicine. This
is not always true. Read the directions carefully and look at the numbers
on the side of the dosing device.
Taking medicines safely
You can help prevent overdose
or poisoning. The following are important safety tips:
-
Always
use good light. If the room is poorly lit, you may take the wrong medicine
or give the wrong dose by mistake.
-
Recheck
the label. Read the label before you open the bottle and again before
you give the medicine. Remember, "TBSP" is not the same as "T."
TBSP is a tablespoon; T or TSP is a teaspoon.
-
Use
safety caps. Always use child-resistant caps. Medicines should be stored
in a locked, child-proof cabinet.
-
Give
the right dose. Never guess how much to give your child. Also, extra
medicine won't make your child feel any better any faster.
-
Use
the right measuring device. Don't use a dosing cup labeled only with
ounces if you need to measure the medicine in teaspoons.
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Watch
your child. Never let your child take medicine by himself. Avoid calling
medicine candy.
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Check
the package. Before using any medicine, always check the package for
cuts, tears, or other signs the package was opened.
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Store
your medicines in a cool, dry place. Medicines can be affected by humidity,
so don't store them in your bathroom.
Talk with your pediatrician
if you have any questions or concerns about giving your child medicines. Always
let your pediatrician know if your child is taking other medicines, if there
are any changes in how your child is feeling, or if your child has any reactions
to the medicines.
Published online: 3/07
Source: A Guide to Your Child's Medicines (Copyright © 2005 American
Academy of Pediatrics, Updated 2/05)
Parents can find more information on this topic in Caring for Your Baby and
Young Child: Birth to Age 5. To order a copy of this book visit the AAP
Bookstore.
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The information contained
in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care
and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your
pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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