Dear Doctor Column, September 8, 2003

Child Safety and Over-the-Counter Medicine

Question:

When it's necessary to give my children over-the-counter medicine made for adults, how can I be sure its safe and that I'm giving them the proper dose?

Answer:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stresses that when it comes to taking medicines, kids are not just small adults. When using nonprescription medicines, the FDA offers parents and caregivers 10 ways to ensure giving children the right medicine and the right amount.

1. Read and follow the label directions every time, paying special attention to usage directions and warnings. If you notice any new symptoms or unexpected side effects in your child or the medicine does not appear to be working, talk to your doctor or pharmacist right away.
2. Know how much medicine to give and when to give it. Read and follow the label. Purchase over-the-counter medications made specifically for children.
3. Know the abbreviations for tablespoon (tbsp), teaspoon (tsp), milligram (mg), milliliter (ml), and ounce (oz).
4. Use the correct dosage device. If the label says 2 teaspoons and you are using a dosing cup with ounces only, don't guess. Get the proper measuring device. Do not substitute another item, such as a kitchen spoon. Many over-the-counter liquid medications come with a measuring cap for ease and safety.
5. Never play doctor. Twice the recommended dose is not appropriate just because your child seems twice as sick as last time. When in doubt about your child's condition, call the doctor.
6. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other health-care professional before giving two medicines at the same time to avoid a possible overdose or an unwanted interaction.
7. Follow age and weight limit recommendations. If the label says do not give to children under a certain age or weight, do not give it. Call the doctor.
8. Always use the child-resistant cap and secure the cap correctly after each use. Be especially careful with iron-containing vitamins or supplements, which have been a source of accidental poisoning deaths in children younger than 3 years.
9. Follow the "KEEP OUT OF REACH" warning. Today's medicines are often flavored to mask the taste of the medicine, which is all the more reason to keep all drugs out of the sight and reach of children.
10. Always check the package and the medicine itself for signs of tampering. Never buy or use any medicine from a package that shows cuts, tears, slices, or other imperfections. Report anything suspicious to the pharmacist or store manager.

In case of poisoning, you should keep the number of the poison control emergency hot line by your phone. The national poison emergency hot line linking callers anywhere in the country to medical experts at local centers is 1-800-222-1222. The telephone number of the Regional Poison Control Center at Children's Hospital is 1-800-292-6678. Poison control centers (like the one at Children's Hospital) receive more than a million calls each year about poisoning of children and adults from medicines and household chemicals.

Poison control experts at the Regional Poison Control Center, located at Children's Hospital, also offer these suggestions for keeping your child safe from accidental poisoning:

• Keep all chemicals and medicines locked up and out of sight.
• Keep medications and other products in their original containers.
• Avoid taking medicine in front of children. Refer to medicine as "medicine," not "candy."
• Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically, and safely dispose of unneeded and outdated medicines.

For more information and brochures, please visit the Council on Family Health Web site www.cfhinfo.org. Also visit the Children's Hospital Health System Web site www.chsys.org.