When your child needs to take a new medication, you might feel concerned about possible side effects or reactions. It is always important to monitor your child in case he or she does develop an allergic reaction or severe side effect. These four tips feature different monitoring techniques that you can use to help keep your child healthy and safe when taking a new medicine.
Doctor’s Office
When your child needs a new medicine, consider asking the doctor to administer one dose of it while at the office. This allows your child to remain in a medical environment for safe and thorough observation. If the doctor doesn’t have the medicine in the office, pick it up from the pharmacy. Return to the office and give your child the medicine as directed.
Watch Your Child at Home
An easy way to monitor your child’s reaction to a medication is to give the medicine at a time when you can sit nearby and watch for signs of a problem. Avoid giving a new medicine right before bed unless explicitly told to do so by the doctor. Your child’s response will be more difficult to gauge during sleep.
Medical Malpractice Claim for Medications
If your child is given a medicine that is known to have severe side effects in children or that is contraindicated for a known condition that your child has, consider a medical malpractice claim. A medical malpractice claim might also be warranted if the pharmacist or doctor gives you the wrong dose or the wrong medication. Be sure to double check the label with the prescription. You can also look up the pill’s description with what was prescribed.
Asking the Pharmacist
Another helpful resource for monitoring your child’s reaction to medications is your pharmacist. Even if you are giving your child an over-the-counter medicine such as an antihistamine, your pharmacist can advise you about possible reactions and danger signs to watch for. If you do notice an issue, such as a rash, you can contact the pharmacy for guidance.
When a medicine is prescribed by the doctor and filled by the pharmacist, it is okay to ask any questions that come to mind. Verify that you have received the correct medication. Careful observation of your child for several hours after he or she takes it will help to alert you to any reactions so that you can arrange for emergency treatment if it is needed.
