Medicine Safety

More than 50% of the poisonings reported to the Georgia Poison Center (GPC) involve medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter. Medicine can be dangerous if used incorrectly or in wrong amounts.

Iron Poisoning
Iron is a mineral needed for good health. Too much iron can be unsafe-even deadly! Iron is the leading causes of poisoning death in children. Iron tablets and vitamins containing iron are a major problem. Iron is the leading cause of unintentional childhood poisonings reported to the AAPCC. From 1986 through 1994, more than 150,000 children ages 5 and under swallowed iron tablets; many were hospitalized and 38 died. Vitamins and minerals with iron must be kept out of the reach and sight of children and in child-resistant containers (CRCs).

Pregnant Women and Nursing Mothers
Medicine can pass from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby. Medicine can also pass through breast milk if you are nursing. If you are pregnant or breast feeding, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or the Poison Center before taking any medicine.

Children and Medicine
· Before you give your child medicine, read the medicine label. If you have any questions, call your doctor or pharmacist.
· Take your time when giving your child medicine. Children often gag when medicine is given too quickly.
· When you give liquid medicine to your child, use a measuring tool suited for your child's age. Do not use kitchen spoons or cooking utensils to give medicine.

Measuring Tools For Children
Infants: Use a nipple doser, nurser, or oral dropper. Infants and Toddlers: Use an oral syringe.
Toddlers and Up: Use a spill-proof, plastic dosing spoon or measuring spoon.
Children 3 and Up: Use a dosing cup.
· Make sure you give the right dose of medicine. Base the dose on your child's weight. To get the right doses of medicine, carefully eye the dosage levels calibrated on the measuring tool.
· If your child throws up or spills some medicine, do not give your child extra medicine. This could cause an overdose. Instead call your doctor or pharmacist.
· Medicine can come in different strengths. Always check the label for the age recommendations and directions before giving it to your child. If you have any questions, call your doctor or pharmacist.
· Know the difference between dosing amounts. For example, a tablespoon (tbsp.) is not the same as a teaspoon (tsp.).
· Never call medicine candy! Your child may eat the medicine, thinking it is candy.
· Never give your child someone else's medicine.

Safety Tips
1. Store Medicines Safely
· Keep medicines and vitamins in bottles with child-safety caps (child-resistant packaging).
· Store medicine and vitamins in locked cabinets, out of the reach and sight of children.
· After you use a medicine, place the safety cap back onto the bottle tightly. Return the bottle to a locked cabinet.
· Flush outdated (expired) or leftover medicines down the toilet or take them to your pharmacy.

Remember, child-safety caps are NOT child proof! Some children can open these caps. This is why it is important to keep medicines and vitamins locked up!
2. Use Medicines Safely
· Understand and follow your doctor or pharmacist's directions for taking medicine. Always take the right dosage of medicine at the right time. If you have any questions, call your doctor or pharmacist.
· Before you take or give medicine, read the medicine's label. Check the label for your name, directions for using the medicine, and the expiration date.
· Taking medicine with some foods, alcohol, or other medicines can be dangerous. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.
· Only take medicine that belongs to you. Do not share your medicine with anyone else.
· Do not take or give medicine in the dark, without your glasses on, or while you are sleepy.
· Never take medicine in front of your child or give medicine to one child while another is watching.
3. Know What To Do In A Poison Emergency
· Keep the telephone number of the Georgia Poison Center on or near your telephones. 1-800-222-1222 (a nation wide number)
· If you think someone has been poisoned, call the Georgia Poison Center right away! Do not wait for the victim to look or feel sick!

Source: Georgia Poison Center

Debbie Wilburn is County Agent/Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Hall (770)535-8290 and the Forsyth (770)887-2418 County Extension Service.