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Giving Medicine to Children
As a parent or caregiver, you are in charge of your kids’ health. Now that it’s allergy season, your child may be experiencing symptoms from allergies or a common cold – that can strike year-round.
There are many over-the-counter options available to help make your child feel better when he or she has a cold or allergies, but be careful to only use a medicine that treats your child’s specific symptoms. Our “Decrypting Your Child’s Symptoms: Colds vs. Allergies” checklist can help you better understand your child’s symptoms and how to treat with care.
Allergy Medicines
Visit our allergy treatment page for tips on treating your child’s symptoms with OTC medicines.
Cough and Cold Medicines
It is important to remember that oral OTC cough and cold medicine should not be given to children under the age of four. For specific information about kids cough and cold medicines, visit the cough and cold treatment page, or order a copy of our free brochure, Treat With Care.
Whether it is to treat a child's cough or cold, reduce a child's fever, or treat another symptom, many parents and caregivers turn to over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. When given as directed, OTC medicines can help treat your child’s symptoms. As with all medicines, however, they have risks if misused.
If a medicine does not include dosage instructions for your child’s age, do not give your child that medicine. Call your doctor for advice about the best treatment options for your child. OTC medicines should only be given to treat a child’s specific symptoms. It is also important to remember to safely store medicines when not in use. Visit the Up and Away website for tips and advice on how to safely store medicines.
Also, you should always use the dosage device that is contained within the package and never try to estimate with other tools like regular kitchen spoons. Medicine dosing devices are designed to make it as easy as possible to give exact amounts of medicine to your children. If you have lost the dosing device, talk to your pharmacist. For more resources on keeping your family healthy, visit the Parents section of OTCsafety.org or watch our video on "Kids and Medicine Safety."
General Medicine Safety Tips for Parents
Below are some general tips to remember when giving your child OTC medicines:
- Always read and follow the label.
- Do not use oral cough and cold medicines in children under the age of four.
- Always give the recommended dose and use the correct measuring device. Never use longer than the label instructs or at higher doses, unless your doctor specifically tells you to do so.
- Only use the medicine that treats your child’s specific symptoms.
- Never give two medicines with any of the same active ingredients.
- Never use cough, cold, or allergy medicines to sedate your child.
- Never give aspirin-containing products to children and adolescents for cold or flu symptoms unless told to do so by a doctor.
- Do not give a medicine only intended for adults to a child.
- Stop use and contact your doctor immediately if your child develops any side effects or reactions that concern you.
- Keep all medicines and vitamins out of your child’s reach and sight.
- Teach your child about using medicines safely (see video from the FDA).
- Consult a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider with any questions.
Brochures and Resources
Click here to order free brochures from OTCsafety.org
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