Medicines in children: essential precautions

What are we talking about?

A child is not a miniature adult. Metabolism, weight and age condition the choice and quantity of medicine.

Integrated approaches to childhood illness stress the importance of adapted assessment and cautious actions at home.

What you may observe

Before any intake, check age, recent weight, known allergies and medicines already given in the preceding hours.

Observe general condition: ability to drink, breathing, alertness, fever, pain.

Good practices

Use exclusively the forms and measuring devices intended for the child (dosing syringe, product measuring spoon). Avoid kitchen spoons.

Ask for advice before giving a medicine, even a “common” one, especially before the age of two or in case of chronic illness.

What to avoid

Avoid giving an adult medicine “in a smaller amount” without advice.

Avoid giving several products containing the same active substance.

Avoid antibiotics or antimalarials without adapted assessment.

Medicines: what you need to know

The paediatric leaflet specifies age ranges and situations where the product is contraindicated. If in doubt about the dose, do not calculate alone: ask for advice.

No personalised dosing schedule is provided in this sheet.

When to ask the pharmacist?

The pharmacist can help choose a suitable form, explain dose measurement and spot risky combinations.

State precisely the child’s age and weight.

When to seek medical care?

Seek rapid assessment for a febrile infant, a child who refuses to drink, breathes with difficulty, is unusually drowsy or irritable, or presents a rash with poor general condition.