| Parents, family, and caregivers devote | | | | common side effects |
| themselves to the welfare of children. Yet, | | | | include:Antihistamines:generally cause |
| even with love and devotion, 80 percent of | | | | fatigue, loss of appetite, and dryness of the |
| deaths of children under five-years of age | | | | mouth and throat. Overuse can cause |
| are avoidable. More then half of those deaths | | | | respiratory failure and weight |
| are caused by mistakes in the administration | | | | loss.Decongestants:can cause nervousness, |
| of medications given to benefit the child. An | | | | sleeplessness, and heart |
| even greater number of children are injured | | | | palpitations.Expectorants:can cause nausea |
| or suffer serious side effects from | | | | and vomiting.Suppressants:can cause chest |
| inadvertent errors of common health aids | | | | pain and lethargy.Paradoxical side |
| found in most homes.Before giving any | | | | effects:may occur at anytime. That means that |
| medication, whether prescription or | | | | for a small minority of patients, what |
| over-the-counter, (OTC), child care providers | | | | normally causes lethargy, may cause |
| must know the weight, age, allergies, and | | | | excitation in a particular patient.Any |
| sensitivities of the patient. Plus, it is | | | | instance of overdose of any medication |
| vital that caregivers know what and when | | | | requires prompt emergency medical care. Be |
| other medications and foods have been | | | | aware that any sudden change in behavior or |
| ingested by the child. An up to date list of | | | | health requires medical attention. The |
| medications and dosages should always be | | | | side-effects cited in this article are |
| available. A great way to record food and | | | | representative only and not nearly a complete |
| medications given to children is with a daily | | | | list of all possible problems medications can |
| log kept in a visible place for all adults, | | | | pose for children.Parents may give certain |
| (parents, family, baby-sitters, and nannies), | | | | herbs to children due to the inaccurate |
| to use and communicate with one | | | | belief that they are all natural and cannot |
| another.Before administrating any | | | | hurt, and might help, children.The most |
| prescription medication to a child, the | | | | popular herb is Echinacea. According to the |
| caregiver must assess the child's needs: know | | | | German government, only one of the four |
| what to give, why the child needs it, how to | | | | species of Echinacea is useful as a cold |
| contact the professional that is prescribing | | | | preventative. That form is not even available |
| it, when to give it, how to store it, where | | | | in the United States. Some children, |
| to refill it, and at what cost the medication | | | | especially those who are allergic to ragweed, |
| can purchased. Be aware of probable side | | | | may be allergic to Echinacea. The |
| effects and how to manage them if they occur. | | | | alcohol-based tincture form of Echinacea can |
| Know whether to give the medication until it | | | | be irritating to mucus membranes. Further, |
| is finished or only until symptoms abate. | | | | recent studies find no benefit from the use |
| Keep the phone number of the prescribing | | | | of Echinacea.Some people use large doses of |
| physician and pharmacy visible in the event | | | | Vitamin C to prevent or to treat a cold. |
| of questions regarding reactions or | | | | Large doses of Vitamin C can cause stomach |
| directions.Since each person has a unique | | | | upset, diarrhea, and heartburn.Honey is |
| chemical composition, side effects and each | | | | popularly used to relieve sore throat, or to |
| individual's reaction to a medication cannot | | | | mix with lemon to relieve colds. Honey |
| be anticipated. Unexpected reactions must be | | | | should not be given to any child under |
| reported to a licensed medical provider. No | | | | one-year-old because of the risk of infant |
| medications that have expired should be given | | | | botulism.Multivitamins can be toxic to |
| to anyone at any time. Do not follow the | | | | children. Iron-containing vitamins are a |
| advice of a friend, neighbor, or grandparent, | | | | threat to children and should not given to |
| however well meaning, regarding the treatment | | | | children without the advice of a |
| for a child. Seek the best advice from a | | | | physician.Headaches, sore throats, and other |
| trained professional and not merely from a | | | | pain should be treated with ibuprofen or |
| convenient source.OTC preparations pose a | | | | acetaminophen, but never aspirin. Aspirin |
| special challenge for child care providers. | | | | should not be give to anyone under |
| They require no prescription, are widely | | | | 19-years-old since it is a salicylate that |
| available, and are relatively inexpensive. | | | | can react with a virus that can cause the |
| Yet, they can be hazardous if used | | | | dangerous Reyes Syndrome. The adult |
| inappropriately. Child care providers must | | | | formulation of Pepto Bismol, Kaopectate, and |
| carefully read and understand the labeling | | | | willow bark are also salicylate-containing |
| found on every package.The following | | | | compounds and must be avoided by infants, |
| categories are found on every medicine | | | | children, and teenagers. Use ibuprophen or |
| package label:Active Ingredients:The first | | | | acetaminophen in forms designed for pediatric |
| panel on the label lists the active | | | | use, rather than smaller doses of adult |
| ingredients and their purposes. This section | | | | formulations.Vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea |
| provides the chemical name of the active | | | | are all potentially dangerous conditions that |
| chemical and how it is intended to work for | | | | may lead to dehydration. Pediatric |
| the patient.Uses/Indications:This section | | | | electrolyte replacement drinks are |
| explains which symptoms the active ingredient | | | | appropriate. Diluting adult electrolyte |
| is supposed to treat.Warnings:The warnings | | | | replacement drinks will give the patient a |
| section alerts the caregiver to conditions, | | | | drink that is too acidic for a child.There |
| or people, that should not use the particular | | | | are many effective strategies to relieve the |
| medication without the specific advice of a | | | | discomfort of teething but Anbesol to be used |
| physician.Directions:The directions explain | | | | by adults and liquor may burn the gums and |
| the dosage and administration of the | | | | should be avoided. Cold gel pacifiers are a |
| medication. Always use a manufacturer | | | | better choice.Intestinal gas and heartburn |
| provided measuring device and not a kitchen | | | | are treatable with a large variety of safe |
| teaspoon, tablespoon, or dropper. Household | | | | products. Use those made for the age of the |
| goods vary widely in size and cannot be | | | | child. Too much antacid can cause |
| depended upon for proper dosage.Other | | | | constipation, diarrhea, or stomach cramps. |
| Information:Other information listed often | | | | Over dosage of acid blockers can inhibit |
| notes proper storage and gives pertinent | | | | digestion. Track the diet of children with |
| information about how and when the product | | | | stomach or digestive discomfort for a few |
| should be taken.Inactive Ingredients:The | | | | days to check if there is a sensitivity to |
| inactive ingredients listed on the medication | | | | some food.Among the most effective methods to |
| label are the chemicals in the compound that | | | | prevent the spread of illness is careful and |
| are presumed to have no effect on the body. | | | | frequent hand washing. Plain soap and water |
| Dyes, preservatives, fillers, and food colors | | | | are all that is necessary.If a child is |
| are among the compounds listed on this part | | | | cranky because of fatigue, do not give |
| of the label. A child may be allergic or | | | | medication to quiet the child. Most |
| sensitive to any of these ingredients, even | | | | complaints are temporary and self-limiting |
| though they are called "inactive." Kids are | | | | and do not require medication. Sufficient |
| not small adults. Do not dilute or reduce the | | | | sleep and a nutritious diet often allows the |
| dosage of adult products and dispense them to | | | | body to heal itself.References:1. American |
| children. Pediatric oral medications are | | | | Botanical Council2. AMA Family Medical Guide |
| often sweetened to make the palatable. | | | | 3rd ed |
| However, they are not candies and like all | | | | |
| medications, should be kept out of the reach | | | | . |
| of children.Adult medications that are | | | | |
| especially dangerous to children are | | | | 3. National Council on Patient Information |
| analgesics, anti-depressants, sleeping pills, | | | | and Education4. City Futures, Inc5. |
| and tranquilizers. Safety caps should be used | | | | Integrative Medicine Communications6. |
| and tightly secured, whether prescriptions or | | | | Courtroom Television Network LLC7. |
| OTC preparations.Some common ailments and | | | | dt.gov.uk8. Family Health and Medical Guide9. |
| popular products used as treatments may cause | | | | Griffith, H.W. Complete Guide to Vitamins, |
| problems for children. Runny noses, stuffed | | | | Minerals, and Supplements.10. Institute for |
| noses, and post nasal drips are among the | | | | Safe Medication Practices11. |
| conditions that prompt a doctor to prescribe | | | | KeepKidsHealthy.com12. KidsSource.com13. |
| an antihistamine or a decongestant, or a | | | | Merchant, Anne. M. The Nanny Textbook.14. The |
| combination of the two. Dry coughs and | | | | PDR Family Guide to Prescription Drugs.15. |
| incessant coughs typically require | | | | pediatrics.aappublications.org16. |
| expectorants and/or cough suppressants. Some | | | | |