Safety Tips for Medicines When you need to give your child medicine, you want to use it safely. Some medicine comes in several forms. It may come as a liquid, tablet or capsule. Follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s advice closely.
Safety tips for medicines ●
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Ask the pharmacist all about your child’s medicines. Get it in writing and read all of it. Ask questions if you need to. Store medicine in the container it comes it with child-proof caps. Keep them out of reach of your child. Or store them in a locked cupboard. When you have finished with a medicine or when it expires, throw it away. Be sure to throw it away where your child will not be able to get to it. When you need to throw a medicine away: mix it with something undesirable, such as kitty litter or coffee grounds ❍
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put the mixture in a sealed container
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throw it in your outdoor garbage can
Keep medicine in a refrigerator only if told to do so. Make sure all of your child’s doctors and dentists know about any medicines your child takes. Keep a current list. Take it or take the medicines with you when your child goes to see one of them.
©2006-13 P&H Assoc., Inc This handout is for information only and is not meant to replace your doctors advice or treatment.
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Safety Tips for Medicines
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Call the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) or call 911 right away if your child: takes too much medicine ❍
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has a bad reaction to his medicine shows signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as: hives ■
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swelling of the mouth, eyes or face
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breathing problems
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wheezing
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chest tightness
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feeling faint
Tips for giving medicines to your child ●
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Ask the doctor or pharmacist before mixing any medicines together. Teach your child how medicine can help him or her get better. Never tell your child that a medicine is candy. Give your child a drink after taking the medicine to wash the taste away. For babies and younger children, you can also clean inside the mouth with a clean, wet paper towel wrapped around your finger. Praise your child for taking the medicine.
©2006-13 P&H Assoc., Inc This handout is for information only and is not meant to replace your doctors advice or treatment.
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