This week, Bobbi Conner talks with Dr. Bailey Allen about medication safety for families. Dr. Allen is a pediatrician and pediatric resident at MUSC Children’s Health.
TRANSCRIPT:
Conner: I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio with Health Focus here at the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Each year, about 50,000 children under five years of age end up in the emergency department for poisoning after swallowing medicine that they shouldn't have. Doctor Bailey Allen is here to talk about preventing medication poisoning in children. Doctor Allen is a pediatrician and a pediatric resident at MUSC Children’s Health. Doctor Allen, give us more details about the incidence of medication poisoning in children and teens in the U.S..
Dr. Allen: This is a very common and very serious problem that we see frequently in our ED’s. It can happen with prescription medications, especially with our teenagers, but with anything. over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol, Benadryl, Motrin, even just vitamins and supplements that people take.
Conner: Are there certain medicines that are especially dangerous to kids.
Dr. Allen: Any medication can be dangerous and it really depends on the amount that's taken. But there are certain classes of medications that we find more dangerous. Opioids, blood pressure medications, seizure medications, and psychiatric medications can all be particularly dangerous.
Conner: What can be done to prevent accidental medicine poisoning in our homes?
Dr. Allen: For younger kids, keeping medicines where kids can't reach them. So, in higher cabinets, in medicine cabinets, using childproof locks. But remembering that no medication top is 100% childproof. Putting medications away right after you use them. If you spill any medicine, make sure you clean it up right away. Any pills that spill, cleaning them up from under the couch and chair. And then if you have visitors, making sure that they have their medications locked up so they're out of people's coats and purses and not on the ground.
Conner: And what about additional precautions for older children beyond the toddler and preschool ages?
Dr. Allen: For your older kids, it can be important to teach them to ask for help when they're taking medicine so that their parent knows exactly how much they're getting and that they're taking it correctly. You can also lock medications away and still keeping them out of sight and out of reach of older children.
Conner: Are there additional concerns and strategies that we need to know related to keeping teens safe from medication poisoning.
Dr. Allen: In our teenagers, we often see misuse of prescription medications, and that can be a couple of different things. It can be them improperly taking their medicines or taking too much or too frequently, using a medicine that's prescribed to somebody else, whether that's a parent or a friend, or giving their prescription medications to their friends. So, with your teenagers, don't be afraid to talk to them about these things. Make sure that they know it's not safe to misuse or to give out their medications. There's interactions that can happen that they don't necessarily know about. And again, don't be afraid to keep medicines locked away. If you feel like it's an unsafe medication for your child to have.
Conner: What additional tips can you share for parents and caregivers related to giving children of all ages medicine when it's needed.
Dr. Allen: Make sure that you know the dose of the medication. There's lots of information online, but reading the bottle and don't be afraid to ask for help. If you're not sure what the dosage of a medication should be. Also, using a dropper or a syringe can be really helpful. Some parents will draw a line at the dose where their child should be, to help them know that they're giving the exact right amount, making sure that you read the medication. Some medications are adult strength and can't be used for kids at all.
Conner: If parents have concerns about anything that's come up in the home related to kids and medication, what resource should they contact?
Dr. Allen: If you're ever concerned that your child is taking a medication that they should not have taken, you can always call Poison Control. Or if you're ever concerned about their immediate safety, you should always take them to the emergency room.
Conner: Doctor Allen, thanks for talking with us about preventing medication poisoning in children and teens.
Dr. Allen: You're welcome.
Conner: From the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio.
Health Focus transcripts are intended to accurately represent the original audio version of the program; however, some discrepancies or inaccuracies may exist. The audio format serves as the official record of Health Focus programming.
