Medicine Dosages
Giving Medicine to Children: Important Safety Information
Giving medicine correctly helps children feel better safely. Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines can cause harm if used incorrectly. Use these key safety steps every time you give your child medicine.
1. Keep Medicines Up and Away
- •Store medicines high, out of reach, and out of sight, including medicines in the refrigerator.
- •Use original containers and keep child safety caps closed tightly.
- •Discard expired or unused medicine safely. For disposal guidance, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
2. Read and Follow Label Directions
- •Check the label every time before giving medicine so you give the right product and dose.
- •For OTC medicines, verify active ingredients, age guidance, warnings, and dose chart details.
- •For prescriptions, confirm dose amount, timing, and duration with your doctor or pharmacist.
3. Give Medicine Only as Recommended
- •Do not use OTC cough and cold medicines in children under 4 years unless specifically directed by a clinician.
- •Children ages 4-6 should only use cough/cold medicine if advised by a doctor.
- •Watch for overlapping ingredients (such as acetaminophen) across medicines to avoid accidental overdose.
- •Follow product-specific age and weight instructions for acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
4. Always Use the Right Dosing Tool
- •Use the dosing syringe, spoon, or cup that comes with the medicine.
- •Do not use household spoons.
- •Confirm units match the instructions (tsp, tbsp, or mL) before giving each dose.
- •Reference values: 1 tsp = 5 mL and 1 tbsp = 15 mL.
What to Do for Possible Poisoning
- •Call 911 immediately if your child is unconscious, not breathing, or having seizures.
- •If your child is awake and breathing, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
- •Do not make your child vomit unless instructed by a medical professional.
Questions about medicine safety for your child? Call our office at 630-848-1700.