It’s that time of the year when the leaves change in many parts of the country, the temperature gets a little cooler, and your child comes home with a cold that they may have caught from friends at school or daycare. We’ve all been through it. Many parents feel the discomfort of their child when they have a persistent cough that does not seem to quit. We just want relief for our little ones right away and we reach for a children's product at our nearest pharmacy or grocery store.
When treating your children, it’s best to remember that children are not small adults. Medicines intended for grown-ups are not completely safe to give to children at any dose. Over The Counter (OTC) medications for children are safe and effective only when the correct dose is given.
Here are a couple of steps to make sure that the medication you give to help your child has the lowest risk of causing harm:
- Make sure to read the label carefully. See if the drug is intended for your child’s age and or weight. Chat with our team today, our pharmacists can advise you
- Keep your medicines stored in a safe and secure location and never leave the child unattended with the medicine. This will help prevent accidental overdosing
- Use precise measuring devices such as caps, spoons, and syringes that come with the package or dispensed by the pharmacy.
- Double check the ingredients in the medications. Many medications may have same ingredients, it’s best to read the label to know what’s inside so you don’t accidentally overdose.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, there are a few signs to watch for to tell if your child is experiencing an overdose. Their coordination may be off, they might tell you that their heart is racing as well. They may feel some dizziness or even experience a seizure. Stomach pains may begin and lead to nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain. If your child starts experiencing these symptoms after taking cough or cold medicines, please call emergency services or take your child to the nearest emergency department right away!
While it may seem tough, most colds that your child experiences will go away on their own in a few short days. Some of the best ways to take care of your child is to make sure that they have enough fluid, food, and rest every day until they recover. If you feel the need to give them cold medicine, make sure that you read the label carefully. Chat with us, we can advise you on meds!
Cough and cold medicine safety. Cough and Cold Medicine Safety. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2022, from https://www.poison.org/articles/cough-and-cold-medicine-safety
