How to properly administer over-the-counter medicines to children. What are the recommended Advil dosages based on weight and age. How to read medicine labels and avoid common mistakes when giving OTC drugs to kids.

Understanding Over-the-Counter Medicines for Children

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are readily available without a prescription, but this accessibility doesn’t negate the need for caution. Parents and caregivers must exercise care when administering these medications to children. Consulting with a pediatrician before introducing any new medicine is crucial, especially for first-time use.

OTC medicines come with standardized labels providing essential information about the drug’s purpose, usage instructions, ingredients, and potential side effects. This information is typically found under the “Drug Facts” section on the packaging.

How to Read OTC Medicine Labels

• Look for the dosage chart
• Check weight-based dosing first
• Use age-based dosing if weight is unknown
• Verify safety for children under 6 years old
• Consult a doctor if unsure about any instructions

Is weight-based dosing more accurate than age-based dosing? Generally, yes. Weight-based dosing provides a more precise measurement for medication administration. However, if a child’s weight is unknown, age-based dosing serves as a suitable alternative.

Advil (Ibuprofen) Dosage Guidelines for Children

Advil, containing the active ingredient ibuprofen, is a common OTC pain reliever and fever reducer for children. However, proper dosing is critical to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Weight-Based Dosing Chart for Advil (Ibuprofen)

Can Advil be given to infants? Ibuprofen should not be administered to babies younger than 6 months old without explicit instructions from a pediatrician. For older infants and children, always follow the recommended dosage based on weight or age.

Key Considerations When Administering OTC Medicines to Children

Before giving any OTC medicine to a child, it’s essential to understand its proper use, potential side effects, and interactions with other medications.

Questions to Ask Your Child’s Doctor or Pharmacist

1. How will this medicine benefit my child?
2. What’s the correct dosage and frequency of administration?
3. Are there any potential side effects to watch for?
4. How should the medicine be stored and disposed of?
5. Are there any contraindications with other medications?
6. What if my child has difficulty taking the medicine?

When should you call the doctor immediately after giving medicine to your child? Contact your pediatrician right away if your child experiences severe vomiting, develops a rash, or shows any signs of an allergic reaction after taking a medication.

Comparing Common OTC Pain and Fever Medicines for Children

Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) and ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin) are the most commonly used OTC medicines for managing pain and fever in children. Each has its own set of benefits and considerations.

Acetaminophen vs. Ibuprofen: Key Differences

• Acetaminophen is generally considered safe for all ages
• Ibuprofen is not recommended for infants under 6 months
• Ibuprofen may be more effective for reducing fever
• Acetaminophen may be preferred for children with certain health conditions

Can acetaminophen and ibuprofen be given together? While alternating these medications can be effective for managing persistent fever or pain, always consult with a healthcare provider before combining any medications.

The Dangers of Aspirin for Children

Aspirin poses a significant risk to children, particularly those with viral illnesses like flu or chickenpox. It can lead to a severe condition known as Reye syndrome, which affects the liver and brain.

How can parents ensure they’re not accidentally giving aspirin to their children? Always read medication labels carefully, as aspirin may be present in various OTC products. When in doubt, consult with a pharmacist or contact the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation for guidance.

Cough and Cold Medicines: Risks and Recommendations

The use of OTC cough and cold medicines in young children has been a subject of concern in recent years. Current guidelines advise against their use in children under 6 years old due to potential risks and limited evidence of effectiveness.

Alternative Approaches to Managing Cold Symptoms in Children

• Ensure adequate hydration
• Use saline nasal drops for congestion
• Run a humidifier to ease breathing
• Elevate the head of the bed for better sleep
• Try honey for cough relief (for children over 1 year old)

Why are cough and cold medicines not recommended for young children? These medications often contain multiple active ingredients, increasing the risk of accidental overdose. Moreover, their effectiveness in young children has not been well-established, while potential side effects can be significant.

Best Practices for Safe OTC Medicine Administration

Ensuring the safe use of OTC medicines requires more than just following dosage instructions. Implementing proper storage, measurement, and tracking practices is crucial for preventing accidents and ensuring optimal treatment.

Tips for Safe Medicine Administration

1. Always use the dosing tool provided with the medicine
2. Store medicines out of children’s reach
3. Keep a medication log to prevent double dosing
4. Check expiration dates regularly
5. Coordinate with other caregivers on medication schedules

How can parents prevent accidental overdoses? Using a medication log and coordinating closely with all caregivers can help prevent unintentional double dosing. Additionally, always use the provided dosing tool to ensure accurate measurement.

Responding to Potential Poisoning Incidents

Accidental ingestion of medications is a common concern for parents of young children. Knowing how to respond quickly and appropriately in such situations can be crucial.

Steps to Take in Case of Suspected Poisoning

• Remain calm and assess the situation
• Contact the Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222
• Provide as much information as possible about the ingested substance
• Follow the expert’s instructions carefully
• Seek emergency medical care if advised or if symptoms are severe

Should you induce vomiting if a child has ingested a potentially harmful substance? No, never attempt to induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a medical professional or poison control expert. Some substances can cause more damage if vomiting is induced.

By understanding the proper use of OTC medicines, including Advil and other common pain relievers, parents and caregivers can effectively manage their children’s symptoms while minimizing risks. Always prioritize safety, follow dosing instructions carefully, and consult healthcare professionals when in doubt. Remember, while OTC medicines are readily available, they still require careful consideration and responsible use, especially when it comes to our children’s health.

Using Over-the-Counter Medicines With Your Child

“Over-the-counter” (OTC) means you can buy the medicine without a doctor’s prescription. But be careful! OTC medicines can be dangerous if not taken the right way. Talk with your child’s doctor before giving your child any medicine, especially the first time.

All OTC medicines have the same kind of label. The label gives important information about the medicine. It says what it is for, how to use it, what is in it, and what to watch out for. Look on the box or bottle, where it says, “Drug Facts.”

Read the label

Check the chart on the label to see how much medicine to give. If you know your child’s weight, use that first. Just remember that your child’s weight in kilograms (kg) is different from your child’s weight in pounds (lbs)!

Kilogram (kg)	Pounds (lbs)
1	2. 2
5	11
10	22
15	33
20	44

If you do not know your child’s weight, go by age.
Check the label to make sure it is safe for children under age 6. If you are not sure, ask your child’s doctor.

Talk with the doctor or pharmacist

Before you give your child any medicines, be sure you know how to use them.

Questions to ask

• How will this medicine help my child?

• Can you show me how to use this medicine?

• 
  How much medicine do I give my child? When? For how long?

• 
  Are there any side effects from this medicine?

• How can I learn more about this medicine?

• What if my child spits it out?

• Does it come in chewable tablets or
  liquid?

• Are there any other medicines that should not be given at the same time as this one?

• Where should I keep this medicine?

• How should I get rid of the leftover medicine?

What to tell your child’s doctor or pharmacist

Call the doctor right away if.

..

Your child throws up a lot or gets a rash after taking any medicine. Even if a medicine is safe, your child may be allergic to it.

Your child
may or may not have side effects with any medicine. Be sure to tell the doctor if your child has any side effects.

About pain and fever medicines

Acetaminophen (uh-SET-tuh-MIN-uh-fin) and
ibuprofen (eye-byoo-PROH-fin) help with fever and headaches or body aches. Tylenol is one brand name for acetaminophen. Advil and Motrin are brand names for ibuprofen. These medicines also can help with pain from bumps, or soreness from a shot. Ask the doctor which one is best for your child.

Keep in mind:

• 
  Never give ibuprofen to a baby younger than 6 months.

• If your child has kidney disease, asthma, an ulcer, or another chronic (long-term) illness,
  ask the doctor before giving ibuprofen.

• Don’t give acetaminophen or ibuprofen at the same time as other OTC medicines, unless your child’s doctor says it’s OK.

A warning about aspirin

Never give aspirin to your child unless your child’s doctor tells you it is safe. Aspirin can cause a very serious liver disease called
Reye syndrome. This is especially true for children with
the flu or
chickenpox.

Ask your pharmacist about other medicines that may contain aspirin. Or, contact the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation at 1-800-233-7393 or
www.reyessyndrome.org.

What about cough and cold medicines?

Over-the-counter cough or cold medicines are
not recommended for children under age 6.

It’s also important to know that cold medicines often have more than one medicine mixed together in one bottle. This may include medicine for fever or pain, like acetaminophen. For this reason,
do not give a medicine for fever or pain if you already gave a cold medicine that has a fever or pain medicine in it. It is usually best to give one medicine at a time.

Other safety tips when using OTC medicines

• Use the dosing tool that comes with the medicine to measure out the medicine. Keep your tool with your medicine so you remember to use them together.

• Keep medicines up and away, and out of sight of young children. That way they don’t get into them when you are not watching.

• Use a log to keep track of what times you gave medicine to your child. This is especially helpful when there is more than one person taking care of a child. It is easy to accidentally give a double dose of medicine! Work with other caregivers to plan how you will keep track of what medicines are given, how much was given, and when.

• Check the medicine label and read the expiration dates. The expiration date is the date after which the medicine should no longer be used. Expired medicines may not work as well and can hurt your child.

What to do for poisoning

You can call the Poison Center in any state at 1-800-222-1222 at any time of day or night.

Call the Poison Center if you’re not sure

Sometimes parents find their child with something in his or her mouth. Or parents may find their child with an open bottle of medicine. The Poison Center can help you find out if this could hurt your child. Do not wait until your child is sick to call the Poison Center.

Call 911 or your local emergency number right away if your child:

• Is passed out and can’t wake up, OR

• Is having a lot of trouble breathing, OR

• Is twitching or shaking out of control, OR

• Is acting very strange.

Don’t use syrup of ipecac

If you have syrup of ipecac in your home, flush it down the toilet and throw away the bottle. Years ago, people used syrup of ipecac to make children throw up if they swallowed poison. Now we know that you should not make a child throw up.

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

How to Use Liquid Medicines for Children

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Safety & Prevention

Safety & Prevention

Many children’s medicines come in liquid form. Liquid medicines are easier for children to swallow than pills. However, make sure to use them the right way so your child gets the amount they need.

Here’s what parents need to know.

Types of liquid medicines

There are 2 types of liquid medicines:

OTC medicines

• All OTC medicines have the same kind of label. The label gives important information about the medicine. It says what it is for, how to use it, what is in it, and what to watch out for. Look on the box or bottle, where it says “Drug Facts. “

• Check the chart on the label to see
  how much medicine to give. If you know your child’s weight, use that first. Be careful. Your child’s weight in kilograms is different from your child’s weight in pounds (lbs)! See the table below for examples of how kilograms and pounds differ from each other.)

• If you do not know your child’s weight, go by age.
• Check the label to make sure it is safe for infants and children younger than 6 years. Pay careful attention when the label says, “Do Not Use.” If you are not sure, ask your child’s doctor.
• It is important to use a dosing tool that has markings on it. The markings help you measure out the right amount of medicine. Dosing tools include oral syringes, dosing spoons, droppers, and dosing cups. Always keep the dosing tool with the bottle of medicine. If a dosing tool is not included with your medicine bottle, ask your pharmacist or doctor for one.

Prescription liquid medicines

• Your child’s doctor may prescribe a liquid medicine. These medicines will have a different label than OTC medicines.
  Always read the label before you give the medicine to your child.

• Like with OTC medicines, it is important to always use the dosing tool (like an oral syringe) that comes with the medicine, or that your doctor or pharmacist tells you to use. If a dosing tool is not provided with the medicine, ask the pharmacist or doctor to give you one.

• With OTC or prescription medicines, be sure to call your child’s doctor or pharmacist if you have questions like:

• How much medicine should I give?

• How often should I give the medicine?

• How long should I give the medicine for?

• Where should I keep the medicine?

• How should I get rid of leftover medicine?

Different strengths of infant & children’s medicines

Some medicines may come in different infant and children’s strengths (concentrations). Be careful! The infant medicine may be stronger than the children’s medicine. Parents may make the mistake of giving
higher doses of infant medicine to a child, thinking that it is not as strong. Be sure the medicine you give your child is right for his or her weight and age.

How to give liquid medicines

Follow the directions exactly. Some parents give their children too much medicine. This will not help them get better faster. And it can be very dangerous, especially if you give too much for a few days in a row. Always read the label carefully.

How to measure liquid medicines

• 
  Use the dropper, syringe, medicine cup, or dosing spoon that comes with the medicine. If the medicine does not come with a dosing tool, ask your pharmacist or doctor to give you one to use. Never use teaspoons, tablespoons, or other household spoons to measure medicine.

• Be sure to use a dosing tool that is just right to fit the dose you want to measure. The tool should not be too big, or too small. Using a dosing tool that is too big makes it easy to give too much medicine. Using a dosing tool that is too small means having to measure more than one time to give the right amount. This makes it easier to give the wrong amount.

• Medicine can be measured in different ways. You may see teaspoon (tsp), tablespoon (tbsp or TBSP), or milliliters (mL, ml, or mLs) on the dosing tool.
  It is easier to measure the right amount with a dosing tool that uses milliliters (mL).

• 
  Look very carefully at how the dose amount is written. Be especially careful if you see a period (“.”) in the middle of the number. For example, “0.5 mL” is not the same as “5 mL”. Mixing these up can mean giving 10 times more medicine than your child needs. Or it may mean giving your child 10 times less medicine.

• If you are not sure how much medicine to give your child, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist.

• Ask your doctor or pharmacist to
  show you how much medicine to give using the tool you plan to use at home.

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist how much you plan to give, or use your tool to point to how much you plan to give. Then
  ask if what you said is correct.

• Ask your doctor or pharmacist to
  write down the instructions on a piece of paper for you to take home.

• Be sure to ask the doctor or pharmacist to
  give you information in the language you prefer. Having an interpreter help give you instructions, and having information written down in the language you prefer, means that you will be less likely to make an error.

• 
  Ask questions. Many parents have trouble understanding medicine instructions. If you are confused about how to give your child a medicine, it is better to ask questions than to give the medicine incorrectly.

• Keep your dosing tool with your medicine so that it is easy to remember to use them together. Keep them up and away, and out of sight of young children. That way they won’t get into them when you are not watching.

Different ways of measuring medicine and what they mean

There are many ways to measure medicine – it is best to measure using milliliters instead of using teaspoons or tablespoons.
Use a dosing tool that has markings with milliliters on it.

Remember: never use a kitchen spoon to measure out medicine. This is because kitchen spoons come in lots of different sizes. If you see instructions in teaspoons (tsp) or tablespoons (Tbsp), and you are confused, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Medicine cups

• 
  Be sure to use the cup that comes with the medicine. These often come over the lids of liquid cold and flu medicines. Don’t mix and match cups to different medicines. You might end up giving the wrong amount.

• Don’t just fill it up. Look carefully at the lines and letters on the cup. Use the numbers to fill the cup to the right line. Ask your pharmacist or doctor to mark the right line for your child if you are not sure. Put the cup on a flat surface, like a table, to check if you have it filled to the right amount. Holding a cup tipped, or at an angle, can make you measure the wrong amount.

Dosing spoons

These work well for older children who can “drink” from the spoon. Use only the spoon that comes with the medicine. Be sure to use the lines and numbers to get the right amount for your child. Ask your pharmacist or doctor to mark the right line if you are not sure how much to give.

Droppers or syringes

• Don’t just fill the dropper or syringe to the top. Read the directions carefully to see how much to give your child. Look at the numbers on the side of the dropper or syringe. Use the numbers to fill it to the right line. Or ask your pharmacist or doctor to mark the right line if you are not sure.
  (If the syringe has a cap, throw it away before you use it. The cap could choke your child.)

• Don’t put the medicine in the back of the throat. Instead, squirt it gently between your child’s tongue and the side of the mouth. This makes it easier to swallow.

• If it is important to measure the exact right amount, an oral syringe is usually the best dosing tool to use. This is especially true when you are measuring an amount that is less than 5 mL. If your medicine does not come with an oral syringe, talk to your pharmacist or doctor to see if you should use one, and if they can give you one.

More information

• 
  Medication Safety Tips

• Using Over-the-Counter Medicines With Your Child

• Acetaminophen Dosing Tables for Fever and Pain in Children

• Ibuprofen Dosing Table for Fever and Pain

• Diphenhydramine Dosing Table

• Fever and Pain Medicine: How Much To Give Your Child

• The Healthy Children Show: Giving Liquid Medicine Safely (Video)

Last Updated

10/11/2021

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (Copyright © 2021)

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Painkillers for children | Moscow

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When we talk about pain relief in children, there are only two names parents need to remember: paracetamol and ibuprofen

Both of these drugs are very well studied, approved for use in children, and available without a prescription. Let’s consider them separately.

Paracetamol has an antipyretic, analgesic effect. Approved for use from 2 months of age. Dosage of 15 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, no more than 4 times a day. The duration of action is 4-6 hours.

Ibuprofen , in addition to its antipyretic and analgesic effect, also has an anti-inflammatory effect, which makes it more effective for pain caused by an obvious inflammatory process, swelling, bruises and injuries. Approved for use in children from three months. Dosage 10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, no more than 3 times a day. The duration of action is 6-8 hours.

A few points of clarification:

• These drugs are sold by numerous trade names in pharmacies. They come in the form of a suspension, soluble tablets, suppositories, coated tablets, capsules. In children under 6 years of age, a suspension or soluble tablet form is used; over six, if the child can swallow, coated tablets or capsules can be used. Candles are used when it is impossible to give the drug through the mouth. For example, a child vomits or he refuses to drink medicine in principle. There is no evidence that suppositories are more effective than oral forms.
• Follow the recommended dosage carefully. If the instructions say no more than 4 times a day, this means no more than 4 times in 24 hours, and not per day. To calculate the required single dose, you need to multiply 15 mg for paracetamol or 10 mg for ibuprofen by the weight of the child in kilograms. For example, the weight of a child is 8200 grams, we multiply 15 by 8, we get 120 mg for paracetamol, or 10 by 8, we get 80 mg for ibuprofen. This is the dose that can be given at one time, no more than 4 times a day for paracetamol, and no more than 3 times for ibuprofen. Once again, first of all, we focus on weight, and not on age, since one child at 8 months weighs 8 kilograms, and the other 11, respectively, the dose for them will be different. Also, do not try to give a smaller dose. This will only lead to the fact that the drug will not work, or will act for a shorter time.
• Combination formulations of ibuprofen and paracetamol. I know many parents love these drugs. But meanwhile, there are studies that indicate that the combined form of the drug has no advantages in strength, speed of onset of the effect and its duration. However, there is a higher risk of side effects. In addition, with such drugs it is more difficult to calculate and comply with the correct dose and frequency of use. Using ibuprofen and paracetamol separately, you can alternate them, and if necessary, give antipyretic, painkillers up to 7 times a day in total.

When can these pain medications be used?

It is logical when something hurts. For headache, toothache. When a child has a sore ear or throat. With bruises, injuries, wounds, sprains. With bites of animals, insects. There is a rule, if something hurts – anesthesia. The only, somewhat controversial point is the pain in the abdomen. In this case, almost all Russian recommendations, examination and treatment protocols do not recommend taking painkillers before making a diagnosis, so as not to “lubricate” the symptoms and delay the diagnosis. At the same time, in foreign recommendations, on the contrary, it is often stated that there is no need to endure pain, and taking such drugs does not lead to a later diagnosis. In my opinion, with mild abdominal pain, it is acceptable to distract the child with something without taking medication and watch him for several hours. If the pain persists or is initially pronounced, then it is worthwhile to consult a doctor as soon as possible and decide with him, including the issue of anesthesia.

Make an appointment with a pediatrician

For more details, consult a qualified specialist at the Semeynaya clinic.

For pediatric appointment prices or other inquiries please follow the link below:

Tags Pain relief Pediatrician

Nurofen while breastfeeding.

Is Nurofen suitable for a breastfeeding mother?

• Adult
• Aches and pains

In this article we talk about the possibility of taking Nurofen® products during breastfeeding (LF). We answer questions about the rules for a nursing mother.

Can Nurofen® be breastfed? Studies have found that ibuprofen can pass into breast milk in small amounts, but without any negative health effects on the breastfed child

^1-7 .

Therefore, for short-term use Nurofen® for nursing mothers is allowed ^1-5.7 (Nurofen®, Nurofen® Forte, Nurofen® Express, Nurofen® Express Forte, Nurofen® Express Lady and Nurofen® Intensive) and does not require stopping feeding breast. In case of need for long-term use, it is imperative to consult a doctor.

Tablets or gel

Depending on the type of pain, the mother decides on the form of release. If you are concerned about pain in the joints, muscles, back, neuralgia, then it is better to choose a drug for external use, that is, Nurofen® Express gel ⁶ . Squeeze 4-10 cm from the tube and rub into the skin over the affected area until completely absorbed ⁶ .

Oral tablets or capsules are indicated for a wide range of conditions associated with localized pain or fever ^1-5.7 .

How to take a breastfeeding mother

The entire line of Nurofen® preparations is always taken with caution during breastfeeding, because not only the health of the mother, but also the baby depends on it. Nurofen® Forte, Nurofen® Express, Nurofen® Express Forte, Nurofen® Express Lady, Nurofen® Intensive and Nurofen® during lactation are taken up to 3 days, in the minimum effective dose ^1-5.7 .

Dosage while breastfeeding

Which Nurofen® should I pay attention to while breastfeeding and which dosage should I choose?

Instructions for use of each drug from the Nurofen® line will help you understand the differences.

Medicines Nurofen® and Nurofen® Express are taken as a tablet or capsule (200 mg ibuprofen each) up to 3 times a day ^{1. 4} . Nurofen® Forte and Nurofen® Express Forte contain increased doses, already 400 mg of ibuprofen in a tablet or capsule ^2.3 . They should be taken with caution and not more than 3 times a day ^2.3 .

If symptoms persist for 2-3 days, seek medical attention.

For more information about the instructions for Nurofen® preparations, see the “Instructions” section.

REFERENCES

• 1

  Instructions for medical use of the drug Nurofen®, coated tablets, RU P N013012/01, Pharmacotherapeutic group: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

• 2

  Instructions for medical use of Nurofen® Express Forte, capsules, RU LSR-005587/10, Pharmacotherapeutic group: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

• 3

  Instructions for medical use of the drug Nurofen® Forte, coated tablets, RU P N016033/01, Pharmacotherapeutic group: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

• 4

  Instructions for medical use of Nurofen® Express, capsules, RU P N014560/01, Pharmacotherapeutic group: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).