: How to Prevent Overdosing in Children

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(431 Words)
Overdosing in children is far too common, accounting for many emergency room visits every year. There are steps that can be taken to help prevent this, including the following methods.
Make sure that you know the exact weight and age of the child when making the determination of how much medicine to give
The amount of medication is often dependent on the age and/or weight of the child. You want to make sure that you communicate this very clearly to the doctor. It is also important to weigh them if you are not sure. Even a variance of a few pounds can make a difference with some medications and you do not want to give too much and lead to an overdose.
Make sure that you clearly tell the doctor what medication you are giving if you are trying to find out dosage information
There are some medications that come in different forms for different age children. One form may be much more concentrated than another. One pertinent example is concentrated infant drops of a medicine compared to the children’s version, which you will see in many medications such as Tylenol. You want to make sure to read off the exact name of the medication to anyone who is directing you on how much to take.
Make sure to use an accurate measuring cup or device
Do not just use the spoons you use for your meals because these can range in size. Make sure that the measuring cup or spoon is very accurate because even a tiny bit of difference can lead to an overdose. Make sure to measure it out carefully. If some spills and you need to give more, make sure that you do not give so much that it can possibly lead to an overdose.
Be very careful when giving multiple medications
Sometimes children overdose on two medicines. How does this happen? Sometimes different medications have multiple active ingredients and you may not realize that you are giving the same thing twice. For instance, a cold remedy might have Tylenol in it. Be sure to ask your physician about any possibly interactions.
Keep all medications locked away tightly
Oftentimes overdoses are the result of children finding and ingesting medications on their own. All medications should be away far from anywhere where the children can reach them. Remember that a lot of kids can climb. Also, a lot of kids overdose on vitamins such as iron, so even those should be put away.
Overdosing is a common and preventable occurrence. Use the above tips to aid in this.
Updated On: 08/29/2010 Published On: 08/29/2010 Article ViewerClose
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