Here are some tips for parents from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding children and medications:
- Always recap and store medicines out of reach of your children.
- Never leave children alone with medicines. If you are called away while you are giving or taking medicine, take the medicine with you.
- Ask the pharmacy for child-resistant packaging for all prescription medication.
- Post the number for the poison control center (1-800-222-1222) on or near every phone in the house, and save it to your cell phone.
- Read all of the information that accompanies any medicine, and follow the directions regarding dosage and timing exactly.
- Use the measuring device that comes with the medication; if none is included, ask for or buy one at the pharmacy.
- Make sure that your child is not taking two or more medications containing the same active ingredients; if you have questions, ask your pediatrician or pharmacist.
- Don’t ask for antibiotics if the doctor says they are unnecessary.
- If your child receives an antibiotic prescription, give her all of the medicine as prescribed even if she feels better.
- Never use cough or cold products in children younger than four years old unless instructed by a physician to do so.
- Never give children medicine that is labeled for adults unless instructed by a physician to do so.
If a Kentucky medication error has hurt you or someone you love, contact the skilled attorneys at Gray and White Law who handle Kentucky medication error cases. Call us at 502-210-8942 or toll free at 888-450-4456 to set up a FREE, no-obligation consultation.