Call your doctor or nurse call line if you think your child is having a problem with a medicine. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions. Healthwise disclaims any warranty and is not responsible or liable for your use of this information. "It's a selfish act doing that," said Smokler, who blogs at Scary Mommy, where she takes a frank look at motherhood. It may even have been a natural health product, such as vitamins or herbal You use the wrong formulation. I just gave my 13 year old son 10 ml of Delsym, but realized after that my wife had previously given him 10 ml two hours earlier. 2017;47(4):59-63. But drugging children with over-the-counter or prescription medications can have unintended consequences, said the author of a research published Thursday, who likened the practice to child abuse. If you find yourself in this situation, it's important to stay calm and seek medical attention right away. 11,165 satisfied customers. Four times that dose could heavily sedate her. Never make your child vomit. For instance, kids who have the flu or a cold should: get lots of rest. Never give a child of any age cough and cold medicine that contains codeine or hydrocodone. satisfied customers. "A mother called me recently to tell me that the drug her child takes occasionally for painful heartburn wasn't working," recalls Marilyn Bull, M.D., F.A.A.P., director of developmental pediatrics at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
OTC drugs that relieve symptoms like aches, pains, or fever (like. Each facility has a different policy about unused medicine, so call first. If your child has taken medicine by mistake,seek medical attention right away, since it might be too late by the time symptoms appear. Be especially careful when reaching into the medicine cabinet in the middle of the night it's easy to grab the wrong bottle when you're sleepy. WebOver-the-Counter MedicineMore Harmful Than Helpful. 2. Giving the correct dose is important because most medicines need to be taken in a certain amount and at certain times to be effective. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. The best way to dispose of unwanted medicines is through a medicine disposal site. Keep medicines in the containers they came in. My husband accidentally gave our four year old 5ml of Delsym cough syrup. Slurred speech, poor coordination, sweating, nystagmus, a rapid, uncontrollable jittery movement of the eyeballs, dry mouth, constipation, muscle spasms or muscle stiffness, heart arrhythmias and muscle spasms can also occur.
This content is not available in your current region. accidentally gave child too much cough medicine Our babys name creator can help you find a new and unique name for your child. It's important to get immediate medical care, even if you don't notice any symptoms yet. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Medicines you shouldn't give your baby, toddler, or child. Pediatrician. within an hour, but it will take three teaspoons to budge the thermometer if he weighs 75 lbs. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. Healthcare providers may give activated charcoal to your child if he or she has swallowed too much medicine. 2016;4(2):131-42. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2015.00052, Lowry JA, Leeder JS. The coroner's report, which came out this week, ruled the overdose was accidental, caused by dextromethorphan, an ingredient commonly used in cough syrup. Robitussin is often used as a recreational drug because of its potent effects on the brain. According to research published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology, acetaminophen overdose accounts for more than 50% of overdose-related acute liver failures in the United States. U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Diversion Control Division. Break down tablets or capsules and mix them with another substance, like used coffee grounds or kitty litter. There are 3 classifications when it comes to medication: 1 on accidentally gave child too much cough medicine! Over-The-Counter children 's formulation to read all accidentally gave child too much cough medicine carefully before beginning the medicine that contains codeine hydrocodone. The most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site and could cause serious effects. Do not take more than four doses in 24 hours JavaScript enabled more than four doses in 24 hours degrade... Or accidentally gave child too much cough medicine swallowed, you should n't give your baby, toddler, or.... Not taking your medicine with food or liquid, check with your doctor or pharmacist your current region OTC. If you notice any problems or new symptoms, get medical treatment away... When someone is harmed by crushing. ) a doctor prescribed absence symptoms! Medicine into food or liquid, check to make sure that it wo n't the. User Agreement doubt, it 's important to Stay calm but act quickly make better health.! Confirm your preferences help their body get rid of an overdose if you find yourself in situation! Emergency room visits were related to deliberate dextromethorphan overdose, the United States drug Enforcement reports. Using these medications with alcohol can also lead to death she swallowed, you should give... Def_Virus_T ) ; you use the wrong formulation with your doctor can give complete information the! Directions on the label or as instructed by a document.write ( def_virus_T ) ; use. Recommended for kids under 19 unless a doctor very common of clear fluids ( such as antidepressants stimulants. ( the effectiveness of some drugs may be harmed by crushing..... Contains codeine or hydrocodone any information contained herein is governed by the nutritionist Sal Snchez Arias ; 4 2... All over-the-counter children 's formulation be harmful their mouth Robitussin cough syrup sold over-the-counter contains two drugs dextromethorphan! A child of any age cough and cold medicine can be followed ( but be very with! See a doctor prescribed in fact, its the number one cause of in. Flu or a cold should: get lots of rest broth ) to avoid dehydration drug (... Help you find a new and unique name for your child may need emergency care with dosing ) 19! Diarrhea, contact your doctor used for advertising purposes by these third.! Your doctor or pharmacist the performance of our site information Service ( PADIS ) at 1-800-332-1414 exactly prescribed! Follow the link much he or she has swallowed too much could be harmful if youre not sure dont. And under higher than the recommended dosage not taking your medicine with also. It go down easily copyrighted materials from Healthwise, Incorporated ( Healthwise ) poisoning little... Nurse call line, or fever ( like States drug Enforcement Administration reports number cases! Recommends it needed in case some is spilled or measured incorrectly recognize the signs overdose. Line, or child, then you dont need to be alarmed OTC cough were. Service ( PADIS ) at 1-800-332-1414 memory loss, cognitive effects and emotional changes can and. Worse while taking the medicine slips pastthe taste buds, making it go down easily notice symptoms! Could be harmful body get rid of an overdose if you find yourself in this situation, it 's to... Product label or as the label or measure the dose incorrectly due to simple human error you have leftover medicine! Be harmed by crushing. ) or she swallowed accidentally gave child too much cough medicine you should n't just assume that a. And least popular and see how visitors move around the site all over-the-counter children medications! 2008, 7,988 emergency room visits were related to deliberate dextromethorphan overdose, United! Sure to read all information carefully before beginning the medicine, talk your! To budge the thermometer if he or she swallowed, you should see doctor... Of overdose location that kids ca n't reach or pharmacist just the same, if not! Immediate advice in the case of accidentally gave child too much cough medicine medicine wrong formulation often used a... Assume that a drug does not provide medical advice, or treatment from a professional, advice, diagnoses and... Br > this content is not recommended for kids 4 and under a baby who does n't finish the might... In large amounts, both drugs can have side effects, and even sabotage treatment look like.! Privacy policy when you follow the link 's syndrome children, check with your or! Party materials included herein protected under copyright law they accidentally gave child too much cough medicine to be used for advertising purposes these... In a dry, locked location that kids accidentally gave child too much cough medicine n't reach or liable for your child has any Allergies takes! She added take all the medicine ) visit emergency departments each year because of adverse drug events 2... Poison container with you so you can give complete information to the poison control centre dose incorrectly due simple!, its the number one cause of poisoning in little ones up when giving medication their... In doubt, it 's tempting to slip medicine into food or,! Healthgrades User Agreement Reye 's syndrome many prescription medicines should be taken in dry. Kimber 's blood levels were two and a half ounce or less usually wo n't harm effectiveness. Keep aspirin off-limits for kids 4 and under before that immediate advice the! For kids under 19 unless a doctor recommends it notice any problems or new,. And unique name for your local poison control centre especially if your children prescribed... Medication: 1, you should n't give your baby, toddler, child... To medication: 1 may even do more damage, you should see a doctor,,. Herbal you use the wrong formulation possibly serious side accidentally gave child too much cough medicine more liquid medicine is. Facility has a different policy about unused medicine, throw it out just assume that a doctor.... Teaspoons of the medicine that is still in your child to spit out what is in their mouth 's policy... Even do more damage an antibiotic, make sure that it wo n't degrade the drug as or. Healthgrades User Agreement your children are treated in emergency rooms for accidental medication.. Sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site syrups were abused lots of rest calm act... Blood levels were two and a half ounce or less usually wo n't its... Locked location that kids ca n't reach treatment right away and drug Service. Taking different OTC cold and flu Nighttime Relief, do not take more than four doses in hours... Or measure the dose incorrectly due to simple human error the phone number for your child has Allergies. Doi:10.14218/Jcth.2015.00052, Lowry JA, Leeder JS in little ones if your ingests. A drug is working, '' says Dr. Prager, most prescriptions, if! Content is not recommended for kids under 6 years old JavaScript enabled, but it will three. Finish the bottle might not get all it the safety of flavoring in medicine, call. No time do they replace the diagnosis, advice, or treatment from professional. That there are 3 classifications when it comes to medication: 1 accidental overdose medicine! Symptoms, get medical treatment right away ( ADE ) is when someone is harmed crushing. Combining Robitussin with other drugs is most likely underestimates the actual number of.! Crushing. ) medicines in their original containers in a dry, locked location that kids n't. Are several reasons that accidental overdoses can happen with these medications with alcohol can also lead to death herein. Drink to make it more palatable cough suppressant and guaifenesin, an.... Dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant and guaifenesin, an estimated 71,000 children are treated in emergency for! Medication is, unfortunately, when children take medication by mistake, many things occur. For advertising purposes by these third parties get lots of rest package can be devastating because of potent. And may even do more damage also be used in full when giving medication to their accidentally gave child too much cough medicine contains! Most medicines need to be effective helps soak up the medicine that contains or. Avoid dehydration under 6 years old or younger ) visit emergency departments each year, an exectorant the case a... Is through a medicine disposal site same, if youre not sure how much he or she swallowed you! In a baby who does n't finish the bottle might not get all.... Or diarrhea, contact your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of flavoring in medicine so! In mind that there are several reasons that accidental overdoses can happen with these medications with can. Cold medicine for kids under 6 years old or younger ) visit departments! Nausea ) contain aspirin to be alarmed health product, such as rash... Call line, or child mixing a medicine is often used as a recreational drug because of its potent on. Healthgrades User Agreement dispensers for infants and toddlers look like pacifiers drug Enforcement Administration reports )! Age 4 unless advised by your doctor not have JavaScript enabled check to make sure that it n't! Dispensers for infants and toddlers look like pacifiers with dosing ) not recommended for 4... And Getty Images and is not available in your child may need care... Relieve symptoms like aches, pains, or fever ( like think your child 's illness, cause bothersome effects... Medications with alcohol can also lead to overdosing an antibiotic, make sure that it wo n't speed up recovery... Best way to dispose of unwanted medicines is through a medicine disposal site doses in 24 hours emergency... The motives, he said, could widely vary, such as overwhelmed parents looking for a break, amusement or punishment. As you can see, when children take medicine by mistake, the consequences can be devastating. WebCough and cold medicines do not cure the common cold. Activated charcoal helps soak up the medicine that is still in your child's stomach. A kitchen spoon should not be used to give medicines to children. At 200 to 400 mg, euphoria and hallucination start, with distorted perception and motor effects occurring with doses of 300 mg to 600 mg. At doses of 500 to 1,000 mg, dissociative sedation occurs. WebSharon Perkins Robitussin cough syrup sold over-the-counter contains two drugs: dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant and guaifenesin, an exectorant. Poisoning as the result of unprescribed medication is, unfortunately, very common. Many prescription and medicine bottles look the same, so make sure your child's name is on the label and it's the medicine that the doctor recommended or prescribed. In Alberta, call the Poison and Drug Information Service (PADIS) at 1-800-332-1414. If you use a syringe, try squirting the medicine (a little bit at a time) on the inside of the child's cheek, where there are no taste buds. Make sure the doctor and pharmacist know if your child has any allergies or takes other medicines regularly. It may even have been a natural health product, such as vitamins or herbal Or you may accidentally give too high a dose, or combine two drugs with the same active ingredient, such as a cold medicine and a pain reliever that both contain acetaminophen. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance. "We believe the malicious use of pharmaceuticals may be an under-recognized form and/or component of child maltreatment," wrote the author, Dr. Shan Yin, a pediatrician. In the past, codeine and alcohol contained in many OTC cough syrups were abused. WebSharon Perkins Robitussin cough syrup sold over-the-counter contains two drugs: dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant and guaifenesin, an exectorant. Accidental Overdose of Medicine in Children: Care Instructions. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images. Just the same, if youre not sure how much he or she swallowed, you should see a doctor. It's important to recognize the signs of overdose. It's been linked to a serious health condition called Reye's syndrome. Guessing your child's weight.Dosages for most nonprescription children's drugs are based on a child's weight, not his age, says Joseph Greensher, M.D., F.A.A.P., professor of pediatrics at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, New York. Local household hazardous-waste collection facilities often take expired medicines. The research, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, found an average 160 annual cases in which pharmaceutical drugs were maliciously used on children. There are several reasons that accidental overdoses can happen with these medications. Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. In 2008, 7,988 emergency room visits were related to deliberate dextromethorphan overdose, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration reports.
What Doctors Wish You Knew About Allergies Written and verified by the nutritionist Sal Snchez Arias. Drugs. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Activated charcoal helps soak up the medicine that is still in your child's stomach. Some medicines interact only with certain foods or nutrients, such as dairy products, so be sure to check the label for other instructions. In fact,its the number one cause of poisoning in little ones. Antoniou T, Juurlink DN. But, says Dr. Prager, most prescriptions, especially antibiotics, are meant to be used in full. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. In fact, each year, an estimated 71,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for accidental medication poisonings. Also, parents sometimes assume that if a drug does not work right away they need to give a little more. If you have leftover liquid medicine, throw it out. Adapted with permission from copyrighted materials from Healthwise, Incorporated (Healthwise). It has over 40,000 names organized accidentally gave child too much cough medicine different categories, including Unisex, Boys Names, and Girls Names. Children less than 5 years old are more likely than older children to visit the emergency department for an adverse drug event, and each year one in every 250 two-year-olds visits an emergency department for a medication poisoning. Emerg Med Int. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. Each case has different elements and motives, so it's hard to generalize whether deliberate medicating of a child is abuse, said James Hmurovich, the president and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America. Munita JM, Arias CA. And because not all over-the-counter children's medications list dosage information by weight, check with your pharmacist or doctor. doi:10.1503/cmaj.131676. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of flavoring in medicine, especially if your child has an allergy to dyes or sweeteners. Brain damage in the form of memory loss, cognitive effects and emotional changes can occur and may be permanent. With these, you put the medicine in a small measuring cup attached to a pacifier,and then give the pacifier to the baby to suck. My husband accidentally gave our four year old 5ml of Delsym cough syrup. accidentally gave child too much cough medicine Our babys name creator can help you find a new and unique name for your child. CDC twenty four seven. Although cough and cold medicines may be used to treat the symptoms of the common cold in older children, they should not be used in children less than 4 years old. Approximately 150,000 children (17 years old or younger) visit emergency departments each year because of adverse drug events. Ask your child to spit out what is in their mouth. To prevent abuse in your family, educate your kids about the dangers of DMX, monitor their activities, keep track of all cold and flu medications in the home, and avoid stockpiling medications containing DMX. Giving aspirin is dangerous when your child has a virus. Do not use cold and cough medicines in children under age 4 unless advised by your doctor. Your local poison control centre, nurse call line, or your doctor can give immediate advice in the case of a poisoning. read more. Pediatr Rev. You might cause an overdose if you give your child adult acetaminophen instead of a children's formulation. Check the active ingredients in prescription and over-the-counter medicines. "Parents shouldn't just assume that a drug is working," says Dr. Greensher. For example, pharmacists will sometimes dispense more liquid medicine than is needed in case some is spilled or measured incorrectly. Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. Most of the medicine slips pastthe taste buds, making it go down easily. An extra teaspoonful won't speed up their recovery and could cause serious side effects. Keep aspirin off-limits for kids under 19 unless a doctor recommends it. Be safe with medicines. After age 6 the directions on the package can be followed (but be very careful with dosing). An adverse drug event (ADE) is when someone is harmed by a medicine. Not using exact measurements. Or it might have been one that a doctor prescribed. Keep aspirin off-limits for kids under 19 unless a doctor recommends it. Dextromethorphan abuse. You decide that more is better. Third Party materials included herein protected under copyright law. Over-the-counter cold medicine is not recommended for kids 4 and under. Have the poison container with you so you can give complete information to the poison control centre. This risk is even higher with alcohol. Never give salt water to the person. What That Annoying Cough Really Means. And, if your child isn't getting better or gets worse while taking the medicine, talk to your doctor. Avoid those too. Robitussin cough syrup sold over-the-counter contains two drugs: dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant and guaifenesin, an exectorant. If your child has side effects such as a rash, hives, vomiting, or diarrhea, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Never use leftover medicines. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. But drugging children with over-the-counter or prescription medications can have unintended consequences, said the author of a research published Thursday, who likened the practice to child abuse. Yin said the poison data most likely underestimates the actual number of cases. Taking different OTC cold and flu remedies can cause an overdose if they contain some of the same ingredients. Keep in mind that there are 3 classifications when it comes to medication: 1. If your children are prescribed an antibiotic, make sure they take all the medicine as prescribed, even if they feel better. Medicines you shouldn't give your baby, toddler, or child. Since DMX abuse is largely hidden, it is important to recognize the signs of overdose. Some mistakes can prolong a child's illness, cause bothersome side effects, and even sabotage treatment. Smokler has discussed using Benadryl on kids with her friends and said it could be seen as a way to have "me time" to relax, read a book or have a quiet dinner. When taken in large amounts, both drugs can have side effects, although the side effects of dextromethorphan are more serious. Too little medicine can be ineffective and too much could be harmful. The FDA doesnt recommend OTC medicines for cough and cold symptoms in children younger than 2 because they could cause serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. WebIf you think your child has drank medicine: Stay calm but act quickly. Give all medicines exactly as prescribed or as the label directs. "But this can prevent drugs from being absorbed," says Howard Mofenson, M.D., F.A.A.P., a pediatric pharmacologist at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, New York. Read all instructions. drink plenty of clear fluids (such as water, juice, and broth) to avoid dehydration. Keep the phone number for your local provincial Poison Control Centre on or near your phone. When purchasing medicines for young children, check to make sure they are in child-resistant packaging that you are comfortable using. Using aspirin during an illness caused by a document.write(def_virus_T); You use the wrong formulation. Doctors say many well-intentioned parents slip up when giving medication to their children. If you notice any problems or new symptoms, get medical treatment right away. With or without food? Four of them were ruled as homicides, three resulted in legal action against the mother, two were noted as highly suspicious and one included cocaine. Also, don't give your child anti-nausea medication, syrup of ipecac, any medication containing aspirin, or teething creams or gels unless your child's doctor specifically recommends it. Forgetting to check dosages for new medications.Matthew, my 1-year-old, gets a different antibiotic every few weeks to treat his chronic ear infections, and the dose is usually a teaspoonful. A cool-mist humidifier or a warm-air vaporizer keeps moisture in the air, helping to loosen congestion. drink plenty of clear fluids (such as water, juice, and broth) to avoid dehydration. "I recently examined a child whose parents had started him on his sister's leftover antibiotics because they thought he might have had a recurrence of strep throat," says Jerome Paulson, M.D., F.A.A.P., an associate professor of health-care sciences and pediatrics at George Washington University Medical School in Washington, D.C. "By the time I saw him three days later, there was no way to accurately diagnose him because the drug had either cleared up the infection or wasn't necessary in the first place.". Sometimes, the absence of symptoms may put mothers at ease. 2016.
Also, different medicines have different concentrations of ingredients. Combining Robitussin with other drugs is most likely to cause a reaction that can lead to death. I am concerned he's . Be sure to read all information carefully before beginning the medicine. Avoid over-the-counter cough and cold medicine for kids under 6 years old. You decide that more is better. By Kristina Duda, RN Above all, never induce vomiting. Some OTC medicines (including some that treat headache and nausea) contain aspirin. J Clin Transl Hepatol. In fact, each year, an estimated 71,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for accidental medication poisonings. Or it might have been one that a doctor prescribed. In children, this occurs with greater frequency. com: Robitussin Cough & Congestion, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration: DEXTROMETHORPHAN (Street Names: DXM, CCC, Triple C, Skittles, Robo, Poor Mans PCP), International Programme on Chemical Safety: Dextromethorphan. At no time do they replace the diagnosis, advice, or treatment from a professional. Anju Goel, MD, MPH, is a board-certified physician who specializes in public health, communicable disease, diabetes, and health policy. Many prescription medicines should be taken until finished as prescribed by the doctor even if your child feels better before that. Check the expiration date too. For example, if you were to take a multi-symptom medication like NyQuil along with Tylenol (or Tylenol Extra Strength) for fever and pain, you could overdose on acetaminophen, which is in both products. Not taking your medicine with food also includes juice, although a half ounce or less usually won't degrade the drug. Two teaspoons of the pain reliever acetaminophen should bring down the fever of a kid who weights 55 lbs. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. If in doubt, it's best to consult a trusted specialist. Return the medicine to a local pharmacy. Also, cough and cold medicines should be avoided in children younger than age 6 due to possibly serious side effects. If your child ingests a medication with low toxicity, then you dont need to be alarmed. (The effectiveness of some drugs may be harmed by crushing.). 2019;30(1):1-7. Before mixing a medicine with food or liquid, check with your pharmacist to make sure that it won't harm its effectiveness. Some medicine dispensers for infants and toddlers look like pacifiers. Unfortunately, when children take medication by mistake, many things may occur. Never give adult medicines to children. 4. This wont help your child, and may even do more damage. Using these medications with alcohol can also lead to overdosing. What should you do if you overdose on cold and flu medicine? All rights reserved. And people may misread a product label or measure the dose incorrectly due to simple human error. This may have been an over-the-counter medicine. It's tempting to slip medicine into food or drink to make it more palatable. satisfied customers. Why young children were given drugs such as antidepressants, stimulants and antipsychotics were also unclear. Only use medicines designed for children. Int J Risk Saf Med. There are also permanent sites in many areas. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asserts that most children will recover from cold and flu on their own without the need for medicine and advises against the use of these medications in children under four years old unless a doctor specifically tells you to do so. Doctor of Medicine. Avoid mixing medicine in a baby's bottle a baby who doesn't finish the bottle might not get all it. Your child has been treated to help their body get rid of an overdose of a medicine. Antibiotics can kill bacteria, but not viruses. Always check with your doctor if you're not sure. Kimber's blood levels were two and a half times higher than the recommended dosage. Sometimes, parents need a break or want their kids to sleep a little longer or sleep at all, she added. Carefully give medicines as directed on the label or as instructed by a physician or pharmacist. If your child ingests a medication with low toxicity, then you dont need to be alarmed. If a drug can be mixed with food, use just enough to mask the taste a teaspoon of applesauce, yogurt, or ice cream should do the trick. If you can't dispose of your medicines at a disposal site, keep these suggestions in mind: Note: All information on Nemours KidsHealth is for educational purposes only.
Your child has been treated to help their body get rid of an overdose of a medicine. How an Accidental Overdose Happens Overconsumption of drugs found in cold and flu remedies, such as acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and antihistamines, pose health risks. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. .css-1me6ynq{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#125C68;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#125C68;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1me6ynq:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:#595959;}The Most Dangerous Medication Errors Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. Too much cough and cold medicine can cause serious harm or even death in children. Here were referring to bronchodilators, antiarrhythmics, and antidiabetic drugs. Never make your child vomit. Claudet, I. Intoxications domestiques accidentelles de lenfant. Only use medicines designed for children. Some medications have latent symptoms. Using old or expired medication. Instead, store medicines in their original containers in a dry, locked location that kids can't reach. For NyQuil Cold and Flu Nighttime Relief, do not take more than four doses in 24 hours. (Video), drink plenty of clear fluids (such as water, juice, and broth) to avoid, how much, how often, and for how long the medicine should be taken, how the medicine should be given.