TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT MEDICINES
Medicines can help your children feel better and stay active. Sometimes they can even save lives. To work the way they should, medicines must be used properly. When we make mistakes in the way we give medicine, children don't get well. Some mistakes cause problems that can put your childs health-and life- at risk. The common mistakes that hurt childrens health include:
Stopping a medicine too soon or too suddenly.Not giving enough of a medicine (forgetting or skipping doses and giving them at the wrong times).
Letting a child refuse to take a medicine (or deciding on your own not to follow the Doctors advice).
Giving too much of a medicine (giving larger doses or giving them more often than advised).
How can you be sure that you do whats best for your child? The first step is to speak up. Talk to your Health Professionals, your children, and the others who take care of your children about every medication they take.
TALK TO YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Discuss the decision to begin or continue use of any medication. Find out non-drug approaches that may be used along with medicines.
Ask your Doctor to explain the benifits and the poteniial riskd of medications he or she prescribes for your child.
Tell your Doctor or Pharmacist about other medicines your child is taking, including over-the counter medicines. This can help prevent drug interactions.
Ask Doctors and Pharmacists the 5 questions that appear on this page.
Never stop, or adjust the dosage of your childs medication without first consulting your Doctor.
Monitor and report on your child's response to the medicine. If you think it is causing side effects, let your Doctor know. Don't be afraid of "bothering him or her". Doctors need feedback to give the best treatment.
Call the Doctor or Pharmacist if you have questions later on. Don't "guess" when it comes to medications.
TALK TO YOUR CHILD
Teach your children that proper use of medicines is a key to good health, just like eating right or brushing your teeth.
Explain the difference between legitimate medicines and illegal drugs. Use only the word "medicine" to talk about prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Use the term "Drugs" to refer to illegal substances.
Encourage your children to ask questions of the Doctor and Pharmacist about the medicine they will be taking. Show them how, by your example.
Decide together which responsibilities you and your child will have in following the treatment. A younger child might help you remember each dose; a teenager might take the lead, with you monitoring and providing backup.
Get your childs help in solving problems that make it hard to follow treatment, such as remembering medicine in a busy schedule, taking medicines in school, and coping with possible side effects.
TALK TO THE OTHERS WHO CARE FOR YOUR CHILDREN
Both parents and step-parents should be involved in helping the child take medication. Share your information you get from Health Professionals. Explain instructions. Clarify the roles each of you will play.
Grandparents, Day Care Helpers, & Babysitters. Explain the medicine schedule and treatment details to all of those who will give your child medicine in your absence. Follow up to be sure your instructions were carried out.
Schools and Teachers
Tell school personnel if your child is taking a long-term medicine or if a dose is needed during school. Involve the teacher or school nurse in watching for side effects, problems in taking medicines, or other problems.
REMEMBER BE MEDICATION SAFE
Kathie Price Public Educator
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