Giving Medicine to Children Safely: Labels, Doses and Measuring

Children aren't just small adults — and that matters most when you give them medicine. The wrong dose, or a medicine not meant for children, can cause serious side effects.

What the label tells you

• Prescription medicines have a "Pediatric Use" section on the label saying whether the medicine has been studied in children, and in which age groups.
• Some over-the-counter (OTC) medicines — such as those for fever and pain — have been studied in children for effectiveness, safety or dosing. Many others haven't.

So read the label carefully to be sure a medicine is right for your child.

Tips for giving medicine safely

1. Follow the label every time, paying special attention to directions and warnings.
2. Watch for problems. Call your health care provider or pharmacist right away if your child has new symptoms or unexpected side effects, or if the medicine doesn't seem to be working when it should. (Antibiotics may take a few days to work; a pain reliever usually works soon after it's taken.)
3. Know the abbreviations:

| Abbreviation | Means |
|---|---|
| tbsp. | tablespoon |
| tsp. | teaspoon |
| mg. | milligram |
| mL. | milliliter |
| oz. | ounce |

4. Use the right dosing device. If the label says two teaspoons and your cup only shows ounces, don't guess — get a proper measuring device. Never use a kitchen spoon instead.
5. Check before combining. Ask your provider or pharmacist before giving two medicines at once, to avoid an overdose or an unwanted interaction.
6. Respect age and weight limits. If the label says not to give it to children under a certain age or weight, don't.
7. Use the child-resistant cap and re-lock it after every use, and keep all medicines out of children's reach.

Questions? Ask your health care provider or pharmacist.

Sources

Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Medicines and Children," National Library of Medicine, drawing on the Food and Drug Administration; a work of the United States government in the public domain.