2006 Press Releases

SAINT BARNABAS MEDICAL CENTER DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY OFFERS TIPS FOR MEDICINE SAFETY AND CHILDREN

Livingston, N.J. -- Before administering any medication to their child, parents should ask their physician or pharmacist several important questions. These include the reason the medication is being prescribed; how long the child will be taking it; possible interactions with any other medications; what to do if a dose is missed; and any potential side effects.

“Whether it is a prescription or an over-the-counter medication, parents need to dispense medicine properly to children,” says Eric Hola, R. Ph., Director of Pharmacy for Saint Barnabas Medical Center. “Given incorrectly, some medications may be ineffective or even harmful.”

Medications and the Sun
During outdoor activities, keep in mind that certain medications could make your child’s skin more sensitive to the sun. This condition, called chemical photosensitivity, results in an enhanced reaction to ultraviolet (UV) light.

As a result, children can suffer severe sunburns after only a short time in the sun. Other reactions can include rashes, hives, itching and blistering. It can happen with both direct sunlight and artificial sunlight.

• Know which of your child’s medicines can potentially cause these problems. Prescription bottles should contain a sticker to alert you of a potential reaction.
• Try to avoid direct exposure to the sunlight during the peak hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are strongest.
• If you are going to be outside, use plenty of sunscreen at least an SPF of 30 plus.

Traveling with Your Child’s Medications
If you are traveling with medication, there are several safety recommendations:

• If traveling by car, do not store medicines in the glove compartment or the trunk. These areas can become hot, which can alter how well some medicines work.
• Keep medicines with you in a carry-on bag when traveling by train, plane or bus. Your child may need a dose during travel.
• It may be helpful to carry a note from your child’s physician that explains what medicines your child takes. This could be most important if you are traveling with certain medical supplies, such as syringes.
• Bring more of your medicines than you think you will need, just in case your stay becomes longer than planned.

Going to school with medications
Parents need to have good communication with the school nurse or daycare provider when medicines need to be given at school.

• Keep good records of your child’s medication history. Include everything from immunizations to potential allergies or side effects. Update records regularly.
• Provide the school nurse or child care provider with the names and phone numbers of your child’s health care professionals.
• If your child needs to take a medicine at school, you will need to fill out and sign a “Medication Permission Form.” This form should contain specific information about how and when to give the medication.
• Medications should always be kept in the original, child-proof containers. You can ask the pharmacy to divide the medications into two containers if a supply is needed at school.

Date: August 21, 2006

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