October 2008
Drug don'ts
- Using regular spoons for medicine. Household spoons come in many sizes. So instead, use measuring spoons, droppers, or cups that come with the medications or those designed for measuring drugs, especially when treating children.
- Taking multi-symptom remedies. Drugs that combine cold and flu remedies might seem like a sure-fire way to get relief, but those combo medications have multiple ingredients and can raise the risk of side effects and overdoses if you mix them with other drugs. Instead, choose over-the-counter medications by their active ingredients and buy single-symptom formulas.
- Self-treating poisoning. The American Academy of Pediatrics has advised against using syrup of ipecac to treat poisoning in children (that goes for adults too). And a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee has recommended that it be withdrawn from the OTC market. Studies show the vomiting induced by ipecac doesn't reliably remove poison from the stomach, and side effects like lethargy can be confused with the effects of the poison. Persistent vomiting also can interfere with treatment by a poison-control center specialist or doctor. In case of poisoning, call 800-222-1222 for a local poison-control center or call 911 if symptoms are severe.
- Giving babies cough medicine. Cough and cold remedies should not be given to infants and children under 2.
- Leaving iron pills around. Iron pills and multivitamins with iron can seriously injure or even kill young children. And it doesn't take many pills to cause a deadly reaction.
