Thank you KnowYourOTCs.org and the CHPA Educational Foundation for sponsoring this post with important safe medicine dosing information to keep our children safe!
When I was little, I remember there were many times that my parents gave me medicine using a standard eating spoon. If the dose called for a teaspoon, they used a small one and if the dose was a tablespoon, they used the larger (soup) spoon. It didn’t matter the type of medicine – pain reliever, stomach, cold or cough – my mami would say open up and in went the spoonful of medicine. (Just like that Mary Poppins scene, except I didn’t get any sugar to help the medicine go down!)
I imagine many of you may have had similar experiences growing up? But, did you know that our common kitchen spoons are not equivalent to the proper dosing devices that come with medicines? While our parents and grandparents may not have known that using spoons wasn’t a safe medicine dosing procedure, we now know the best medicine practices when it comes to over-the-counter liquid medicines. Common kitchen spoons should not be used to measure medicine because they’re not meant for measuring medicines. It’s important to always follow dosing directions on labels and use the dosing or measuring device that comes in the package.
7 Safety Tips for Giving OTC Medicines to Our Kids
Just like any medicine, over-the-counter medicines are serious medications. Taking more than directed can lead to an overdose. That’s why it’s so important for parents and caregivers to know how to safely administer OTC medicines to children. Here are some tips to keep in mind, especially as we continue to deal with flu and allergy season:
- Always read the Drug Facts label and follow directions provided.
- Never give two medicines at the same time that contain the same active ingredient.
- Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if you have any questions, need clarification, or don’t fully understand instructions.
- Precise dosing of OTC medicines is important. By measuring the correct mL dose, parents can ensure they’re giving their children the proper amount of medicine.
- Again, never use common kitchen spoons to measure medicines. Always use the dosing or measuring device that comes with the medicine.
- Write down clear instructions for any caregivers (school, babysitters, grandparents, etc.) and remind them of the importance of proper dosing.
- Talk to your children and let them know OTC medicines are only to be provided by a trusted adult and are not candy or for playing
Even with all the information available these days, old habits and customs are hard to get rid of. A study sponsored by KnowYourOTCs.org explored the behaviors and attitudes of parents when it comes to OTC medicines for young children. They found that 1 in 4 parents of young children don’t believe OTC medicines are strong enough to require precise dosing. I was shocked – 25%?! Let’s be honest, OTC medicines are not the same as prescription medicines, but they are still drugs! The study also found that 1 in 5 parents of young children believe it’s just fine to use a household spoon for measuring OTC medications. Additionally, a separate National Institutes of Health study found that 8 out of 10 parents have, by accident, given their children the wrong dose of liquid medicine at some point. This is why staying informed, speaking with our kids’ pediatrician, spreading word, and helping new parents is so important!
Spread the Word!
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I know that when our kids are sick, we want to do anything and everything possible to make them feel better. If we could, I know we would physically remove their illness or trade places with them if it meant we could see them be their bouncy selves again. Unfortunately, there are times (like with a common cold), where all we can do is ease their symptoms with OTC medicines, provide comfort, and just wait until time heals. However, to avoid improper dosing or an overdose, let’s be sure we take appropriate precautions and follow safe medicine dosing guidelines. Our kids will be safer this way!
All images courtesy of the CHPA Educational Foundation and used with permission.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association Educational Foundation. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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