Provided by the National Institute of Mental Health
One in ten of America's children has an emotional
disturbance such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression or
anxiety, that can cause unhappiness for the child and problems at home, at play,
and at school. Many of these children will be taken by their parents to their
family physician or pediatrician, or, in many cases, a specialist in child
mental health. The child will be carefully evaluated and may begin some type of
therapy. There are many treatment options available. Choosing the right
treatment for your child is very important. Each child is different. At times,
psychotherapies, behavioral strategies, and family support may be very
effective. In some cases, medications are needed to help the child become more
able to cope with everyday activities.
If you are planning to have a doctor see your child, you should share a record
of any of your child's medical problems, any medications your child is taking,
including over-the-counter medications or vitamin and herbal supplements, and
any allergic reactions your child has suffered. If a medication is prescribed
for your child, there are certain questions you should ask. It will be helpful
to take notes as it is easy to forget exactly what the doctor says.
What is the name of the medication and how will it help my child? Is the
medicine available in both brand-name and generic versions, and is it all right
to use the less expensive (generic) medication? What is the name of the generic
version? Is it all right to switch among brands, or between brand-name and
generic forms?
What is the proper dosage for my child? Is the dose likely to change as he or
she grows?
What if my child has a problem with the pill or capsule? Is it available in a
chewable tablet or liquid form?
How many times a day must the medicine be given? Should it be taken with meals,
or on an empty stomach? Should the school give the medication during the day?
How long must my child take this medication? If it is discontinued, should it be
done all at once or slowly?
Will my child be monitored while on this medication and, if so, by whom?
Should my child have any laboratory tests before taking this medication? Will it
be necessary to have blood levels checked or have other laboratory tests during
the time my child is taking this medication?
Should my child avoid certain foods, other medications, or activities while
using this medication?
Are there possible side effects? If I notice a side effect—such as unusual
sleepiness, agitation, fatigue, hand tremors—should I notify the doctor at once?
What if my child misses a dose? Spits it up?
How well established and accepted is the use of this medication in children or
adolescents?
You may think of other questions. Don't be afraid to ask. When you have the
prescription filled, be sure the pharmacist gives you a flyer describing the
medication, how it should be taken, and any possible side effects it may have.
The label on the medication will have lots of information. Read the label
carefully before giving the medication to your child. The label will give the
name of the pharmacy, its telephone number, the name of the medication, the
dosage, and when it should be taken. It will also tell you how many times the
medication can be refilled.
If you want to learn more about your child's medication, you will find helpful
books at your public library, or the reference librarian can show you how to
look up the medication in the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR). While a great
deal of information about mental disorders and their treatment in children is
available on the Internet, care is required to distinguish fact from opinion.
What Does "Off-label" Mean?
Based on clinical experience and medication knowledge, a physician may prescribe
to young children a medication that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for use in adults or older children. This use of the
medication is called "off-label." Most medications prescribed for child mental
disorders, including many of the newer medications that are proving helpful, are
prescribed off-label because only a few of them have been systematically studied
for safety and efficacy in children. Medications that have not undergone such
testing are dispensed with the statement that "safety and efficacy have not been
established in pediatric patients." The FDA has been urging that products be
appropriately studied in children and has offered incentives to drug
manufacturers to carry out such testing. The National Institutes of Health and
the FDA are examining the issue of medication research in children and are
developing new research approaches.
Help Your Child Take Medication Safely
Be sure the doctor knows all medications—including over-the-counter medications
and herbal and vitamin supplements—that your child takes.
Read the label before opening the bottle. Make sure you are giving the proper
dosage. If the medication is liquid, use a special measure—a cup, a teaspoon, a
medicine dropper, or a syringe. Often a measure comes with the medicine. If not,
ask your pharmacist which measure is most suitable to use with the medication
your child is taking.
Always use child-resistant caps and store all medications in a safe place.
Never decide to increase or decrease the dosage or stop the medication without
consulting the doctor.
Don't give medication prescribed for one child to another child, even if it
appears to be the same problem.
Keep a chart and mark it each time the child takes the medication. It is easy to
forget.
Resources
A Guide to Children's Medications. American Academy of Pediatrics.
Web site: http://www.aap.org/family/medications.htm
Facts for Families, a series of fact sheets that include information on
medications for children, health insurance, how to seek help, and other topics.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Web site: http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/index.htm
How to Give Medicine to Children. Food and Drug Administration.
Web site: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/196_kid.html
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