Are Adult Medications Safe for Children?
Prescription for Safety
Courtesy of Prevention
3. What are the side effects?
It's important to decide whether a drug's benefits outweigh its risks: Some complications can be expected--and tolerated--like the minor skin rash that amoxicillin can cause. But because kids' organs are changing and developing, side effects that may barely affect adults can sometimes be magnified in children.
Discuss known complications with your doctor and ask what behaviors warrant follow-up. But also watch closely and alert your physician to any unusual symptoms: Coughing or throat clearing that becomes worse in a matter of hours, for example, can be early signs of dangerous swelling caused by a drug allergy. Parents may not realize that subtle changes in their kids' weight, mood, eating habits, or sleeping patterns could be caused by the drug they're taking, says Shah, and that a different drug or dosage change might remedy it.
4. How long does my child need to take this?
Sure, it's important to finish a course of antibiotics--but what about drugs prescribed indefinitely? In a recent University of Central Arkansas study, 54% of teens said they stopped taking their ADHD medication, even while still experiencing symptoms, mostly because of social stigma or uncertainty about whether they still needed them. In other cases, kids stay medicated for symptoms they've long outgrown. "Every time your child's weight increases or decreases by 10%, get his condition--and his medication--reassessed," advises Robert Kuhn, PharmD, pediatric pharmacist at the University of Kentucky Children's Hospital.
5. How long has this drug been around?
Be cautious if your child's doc recommends a drug that's just hit the market; many drugs have only limited data on child use when first licensed. "If there's an older drug that works well, don't necessarily pass it over for a new one," says Kuhn. Even after a drug is approved, complications may emerge. The longer it's been on the market, the more that's known about how it may affect your child. Sick kids are given a prescription during 53% of doctors' visits--and almost 8 out of 10 times, the drug it's written for is not approved for their age group
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