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Kid's Medicines

Kid's Medicines-Tiny Doses, Big Relief

Important Details About Kid’s Medicines

Since children absorb and process medications differently than adults. Kid’s medicines are not the same as adult medications.Before giving your child any medication, make sure to consult your doctor or chemist. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications have potential risks.Make sure to precisely measure the dosage and administer the medication to your child as directed by your physician or chemist. Talk to your doctor about whether your child requires antibiotics (medication that treats bacterial illnesses only, it does not treat viral infections).

When are Kid’s Medicines recommended ?

Some children’s illnesses may go away on their own. But others will require medication to treat them or keep them from getting worse. Usually, your kid’s doctor or chemist will be able to advise you on the best and safest course of action if your child needs medication. They can talk you through the advantages of this medication for your child’s health as well as why they selected it. Children’s medications are not the same as those for adults because of how differently they absorb and digest medications. It is crucial that you give your child the exact quantity that your doctor recommends for any medication. They are prescribed because it is tailored to their age, weight and medical condition.

Which Kid’s Medicines are available without a prescription ?

Certain children’s medications can be purchased without a prescription over-the-counter. Most, though, ought to be reviewed with a medical expert—including the pharmacist—before being given to your child. Among them are: Medications to treat fever and pain, such as Ibuprofen and Paracetamol. These are generally safe when dosage instructions are followed; Cough and Cold remedies to relieve congestion, runny noses and coughs. These should only be used with a doctor’s or chemist’s recommendation for children aged 6 to 11 years. Antihistamines to treat allergy symptoms. These should not be given to children under the age of six. For children aged six to eleven, antihistamines should only be used with a doctor’s or chemist’s recommendation. For asthma sufferers, puffers containing salbutamol should only be used following a doctor’s initial prescription or recommendation.

Do you know of any Kid’s Medicines I shouldn’t give my kid?

Any medication, whether obtained legally through a prescription or over-the-counter, has the potential to be harmful if taken improperly. Certain adult-safe medications, including iron supplements, can be fatal to young patients. Consult your chemist to ensure that the amount and formulation of any medication your child is taking are appropriate and won’t conflict with any medications they may be taking before giving them any, including vitamins or supplements. When it comes to children’s medications, chemists are the go-to medical professionals with the most knowledge and accessibility. Despite being commonly accessible, cough and cold remedies, antihistamines, and decongestants are not advised for children under the age of six and should only be used with a doctor’s prescription for those between the ages of six and eleven. According to research, there is a high risk of adverse consequences in children taking these medications, and they are often ineffective. 

Anti-inflammatory medications, or NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, can trigger an asthma attack in certain kids who have asthma. You should refrain from giving anti-inflammatories to your child if they have a history of asthma and you observe that they start wheezing or have a runny nose two hours after taking ibuprofen. One popular over-the-counter pain reliever that doesn’t require a prescription is paracetamol. Children’s paracetamol is sold in packages that are clearly labelled with dosage recommendations based on weight and age. Nonetheless, children in Australia frequently overdose on paracetamol, which can be hazardous. Make sure you give your child the proper dosage according to their age by consulting the label, and always measure using the included syringe or measuring cup. Make sure you have the appropriate strength of paracetamol for kids—there are two different kinds. Unless a doctor instructs you otherwise, avoid using paracetamol with other medications.

What is Important for me to know about Prescription Drugs?

Giving your child the medication will feel more secure if you know what they have been prescribed. It’s critical that you understand the complete name of the medication, its intended usage, and how to administer it to your child. Find out more from your physician or chemist: The purpose of the medication, the length of time your child should take it, how to give it to them, the dosing instructions, whether the medication should be taken before or after meals, any potential adverse effects, and what to do in the event that they occur. The drug interactions you should be aware of when taking other medications or food. Whether it should be kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Which adverse effects ought to concern me?

The adverse effects of all medications can be unpredictable, especially when it comes to your child’s reaction to a medication they haven’t used before. Each child is different, and each person responds to medications in a different way. However, you should be aware of the following typical negative effects: A Stomach ache, Headache and Vomiting, Wooziness or Vertigo, Itchy or Rashy skin. You can get information from your healthcare provider about the particular adverse effects that some medications may cause. The Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) pamphlet that is included with the medication has more information. Rarely, a medication may result in anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be fatal. 

Anaphylaxis symptoms can include: Breathing problems and/or noisy breathing, wheezing, coughing, tongue swelling, throat tightness, difficulty speaking, hoarse voice, prolonged dizziness, or collapse, turning pale and floppy (in babies or young children). It’s a medical emergency if your youngster is having trouble breathing or exhibiting any other signs of an allergic reaction. Upon dialling triple zero (000), request an ambulance. If your child reacts negatively to medication, record the time it began, what you observed, and how your child felt. Taking a picture of your child in case they have acquired a rash or swelling can be beneficial. Make immediate contact with your child’s physician or pharmacist, or take them to the emergency room of the closest hospital. To determine when to take your child to the doctor, use the healthdirect Symptom Checker tool.

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Are my kids safe to use Antibiotics?

When taken as directed, antibiotics are incredibly beneficial medications. Your doctor can advise you on whether your child requires antibiotics. A lot of infections in children, such as viral infections, self-healing infections, or physical infections like dental infections that require extractions, can be treated without the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics do, however, occasionally come into play when treating bacterial illnesses. They include keeping bacterial infections from spreading throughout the body, which could otherwise worsen and require hospitalisation, as well as avoiding hospitalisation altogether.

 If your child need antibiotics, your doctor will determine the best medication for their ailment as well as the best dosage and course of action. Even if your child begins to feel better, you should always make sure they finish the entire prescribed course of antibiotics. Certain antibiotics are available in a variety of formats, such as tablets, capsules, creams, or liquids. Ask your doctor or chemist whether there is another way your kid might prefer to take the medication if they are having trouble with the first form.

How should I keep the medication for my child?

Safe storage of any medications is crucial. Prescription drugs are seen as poisons when they are not used as recommended. Because they are inherently curious and put objects in their mouths as part of their normal growth, youngsters are especially vulnerable to poisoning. Children under the age of five are most frequently poisoned, with toddlers between the ages of one and three being most vulnerable. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) and bring the container and the kid to the phone if you believe your child has swallowed a medication that was not meant for them. In the event that your child passes out, struggles to breathe, has a seizure, or collapses, dial 0180-4078991 and request an ambulance.

 Everyone has a duty to prevent unintentional poisoning. Keep the following safety advice in mind: Give medications their correct names. Do not call prescription drugs “lollies” in order to confuse your child. Since kids copy their grownups, try not to take medications in front of them. After using the medication, put it away right away. Examine the packaging for the medication for storage guidelines. Certain medications, for instance, require refrigeration. Keep your medications high and out of the reach of small children. You might want to think about locking your medication cabinet with a child-proof lock. Regularly clean out your medication cabinet. To dispose of any unneeded or outdated medications, bring them to your neighbourhood pharmacy.

Additional queries for your physician

Is there a substitute for medications that my child dislikes taking?

If you wish to sprinkle the medication on food or dissolve it in a beverage, for example, ask your pharmacist if the medication is available in liquid form or if you can break or crush the tablet or tear apart the capsule. Since certain medications have a protective coating that slows down release and permits the medication to be absorbed into the body gradually, not all tablets can be broken. Depending on the medication, breaking up a coated tablet or popping the capsule could obstruct this process and result in your child taking too much medication too soon and experiencing negative consequences.  Be sure to consult your chemist before dissolving any pills or capsules.

Can my two kids who have identical symptoms split the medication?

Each child is different, and each person responds to medications in a different way. Never give children the same medication, even if they have identical symptoms. Personalised recommendations will be given by your doctor or chemist to each child, taking into account their age, weight, and medical history.

Materials and assistance

Try these resources for additional information and assistance: More details on medications might be found from your neighbourhood chemist. If you observe symptoms that might point to a side effect or unfavourable response, the healthdirect Symptom Checker can assist you in determining what to do. Locate the closest general practitioner or nursing clinic by using the HealthDirect Find a Health Service feature. Consult the Royal Children’s Hospital pamphlet for helpful advice on administering medication to your kid. For advice on how to administer medications to children safely, watch the NPS Medicinewise video series.

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