drugs
Precautions With Over the Counter Drugs
Children
Children's bodies metabolize and react to drugs differently from the way adults' bodies do. A drug may be used by many people for many years before its hazards to children are discovered. For example, many years passed before researchers confirmed that the risk of Reye Syndrome was linked to the use of Giving a child a correct drug dose can be tricky. Although children's doses are often expressed in terms of age ranges (for example, children aged 2 to 6 or 6 to 12), age is not the best criterion. Children can vary greatly in size within any age range, so experts advise using the child's weight to determine doses of OTC drugs. If the label does not give instructions on how much drug to give the child, a parent should not guess. When in doubt, a parent should consult a pharmacist or doctor. Such consultation may prevent a child from receiving a dangerous drug or a dangerously high dose of a potentially helpful drug. Many drugs for treating children come in liquid form. Even though the label should give clear guidelines about the dose, a child may be given the wrong dose because the adult in charge uses an ordinary teaspoon. The only kitchen spoons accurate enough to measure liquid drugs are measuring spoons. However, a cylindrical measuring spoon is far better for measuring a child's dose, and an oral syringe is preferred for measuring and squirting a precise amount of drug into an infant's mouth. The cap should always be removed from the tip of an oral syringe before use. A child can choke if the cap is accidentally propelled into the windpipe. Sometimes, drugs intended for treating children come with a measuring device packaged with the product. If so, the device that is in the package should be used to measure the appropriate dose. Several children's drugs are available in more than one form. Adults must read labels carefully every time a new children's drug is used. Children are particularly likely to get coughs and colds, and symptoms of these disorders may make them very uncomfortable. Parents and caregivers understandably want to relieve symptoms and help children feel better. However, there have only been limited studies in children younger than 4 years of the effectiveness and safety of products to treat coughs and colds. People should not give over-the-counter cough or cold preparations to children under 4 unless a doctor tells them to do so and gives specific instructions on dose. Caregivers should be sure to use only products formulated for the child's age and weight. 