Toss out medicines, prescription and OTC alike, as soon as they expire. Only give your child medicine prescribed for them and their specific condition. If your child's doctor recommended you give your child diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to reduce the symptoms of an allergic reaction, for example, don't give it to your child at a later date to help them sleep (because you noted it made them sleepy). The same goes if the medication was given to your child for a different illness or condition. But prescription drugs intended for other people (like a sibling) may not work or may even be dangerous when given to your child. You may feel lucky when you have some leftover medication from another illness and it matches what the doctor's just prescribed for your child. Medication prescribed for another person or condition Some medications aren't appropriate for children in any amount.Īlways use the dispenser packaged with a medicine, and if the label doesn't list the dose that corresponds to your child's age and weight, don't give them that medication. Giving your child a smaller dose of medicine meant for an adult is dangerous. Also talk with your child's doctor if your child routinely becomes nauseated (while traveling, for example). If your child's vomiting and begins to get dehydrated, contact their doctor for advice about what to do. Still, your child's doctor may recommend one – based on your child's age and needs – if your child is in danger of dehydration from vomiting, or if they suffer from motion sickness that doesn't respond to non-medication treatments, for example. Also, antinausea medications may have side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, impaired coordination, headache, dry mucus membranes, constipation, blurred vision, heart palpitations, and decreased urine output. Most bouts of vomiting are pretty short-lived, and kids usually handle them just fine without medicine. Anti-nausea medicationĭon't give your child a prescription or OTC antinausea medication unless the doctor specifically recommends it. You can also ask your child's doctor for ideas to help them feel better. If your child is miserable with a cold, you may want to try using a humidifier or other home remedies. If you decide to give your child an OTC cold and cough medicine, read the label carefully to make sure they don't end up getting more acetaminophen or ibuprofen than they should. (OTC cold and cough products usually also contain pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.) Some pediatricians advise against giving OTC cough and cold medicines to any child up to age 12 (especially if the child has an underlying medical condition) because of these risks and the lack of data proving these medications are effective in children.Īnother concern is that your child could accidentally receive a double dose of these drugs if you give them a separate fever reducer in addition to the cough and cold medication. Every year, thousands of children across the nation end up in the emergency room after swallowing too much cough and cold medicine. In addition to drowsiness or sleeplessness, upset stomach, and a rash or hives, a child can suffer serious side effects from these medications, such as rapid heart rate, convulsions, and even death. Studies show that these medications don't actually alleviate symptoms in kids this age and can be harmful, especially if a child mistakenly gets more than the recommended dose. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn't recommend OTC cough or cold medicines for children under age 6. Don't give your child ibuprofen (without first talking with their doctor) if they're dehydrated or vomiting or have asthma, kidney problems, an ulcer, or another long-term illness.Don't give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen if they're also taking other OTC medicines.Don't give your child acetaminophen if they have liver disease (talk with their doctor about an alternative).Don't give ibuprofen to a baby younger than 6 months.Don't give acetaminophen to a baby younger than 3 months.
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