OTC Medications for Children

What is the most frequently sold and used OTC preparation for children? Paracetamol Name some common UK OTC products for children - Calpol - Nurofen - Benylin - Cough medicines - Medicines for fever and pain WHAM - Who is the patient and what are the symptoms? --> Is this the person presenting? --> Paediatric, geriatric, pregnant.. --> Nature of symptoms - patients may self-diagnose What should you think about when supplying medicines? - How long have the symptoms been present? Is GP referral required? - Action taken? --> Has the patient taken any other medicines to treat the symptoms? --> Prescribed? --> OTC? homeopathic? - Medication being taken? --> Any regular medicines taken by the patient? --> Potential for interactions.. --> Symptoms presenting are adverse effect of regular medicine? 1/4 - Where to store the medicine - What is the name of the medicine? - What symptoms does it treat? - Will it react with my child's other medicines? - How do I give it to my child? - How often do I give it to my child? Give examples of questions parents are - How long should I give it to my child for? likely to ask - Will the medicine react with any food or drinks? - What side effects could it cause? - What should I do if any side effects appear? - How do I store the medicine? - How to measure the dose? - How long to use the medicine for? What are common ingredients used in cough medicines? - Pseudoephedrine (linked to the most number of deaths) - Diphenhydramine - Doxylamine - Phenylephrine What is the main easons patients expe- Too much medication rience toxicity from these medications? - Receiving medication too frequently - Receiving multiple cough medications containing the same ingredient - Over-the-counter liquid medicines that contain codeine should not be used for Is codeine suitable to use in children? cough suppression in people under 18 - No longer available Case study: - Can give to the older child but not the •A Mum comes into the pharmacy to buy younger child some Benylin Children's Chesty coughs --> instructions state it is suitable for •Her eldest child has a cough (he is 7) 6-12yrs •She is also concerned about her younger son having a cough (he is 5) WHAM What advice do you give? 2/4 - Parents often keep a supply of medicines at home --> will give to children Using OTC medicines from another paeven though it may not be suitable tient - Need to be aware of risks to other children - GSL medicines can be bought from pharmacies, supermarkets and other retail outlets without the supervision of a pharmacist and without a prescription. There is no age limit - There may be some situations where a Can children and young people buy OTC retail outlet cannot sell a GSL medicine medicines? to a child for their use because the medicine isn't licensed for children of that age. --> For example, some antacid medicines, which relieve heartburn, are only recommended for children who are aged 12 and over. - Boots local policy: cannot be sold to under 16s Case study: - Pharmacy suppl made under the super•A 14-year-old boy attends the pharmacy vision of a pharmacist and wants to purchase Bazuka gel for a - Will the child be able to use the product verruca on his foot in a safe way? Is the child competent •He has previously used this product enough to know what they need to do •It is a P product with that medication? Would you sell this to the child? - Even if it is suitable, will you sell it to a child? - Use your professional judgment Give factors to consider when supplying OTC medication to a child 3/4 - Knowledge of child - Maturity/Competency of child - Nature of the medicines(s) supplied - Prior arrangement - Reason for collection - Local policies - Proof of identity - Weigh things up Parents often manage this treatment without consulting a doctor Parents administering OTC medicines - Reflect upon how they question and advise parents and carers who purchase medicines for young children - Parents seem sympathetic to the need for questioning, even if they have had the When suppling OTC medications what product before. If in doubt, ask should pharmacy staff do? - When selling non-prescription medicines, pharmacy staff should try to determine the level of parents' existing knowledge and provide tailored advice --> Expertise should be respected, but not assumed Minor Ailment Service Give the childhood ailments that may be treated under the scheme include - Colds - Coughs - Diarrhoea - Earache - Hay Fever - Head lice - Nappy Rash - Sore throat - Teething The pharmacist will need to see the child What is the pharmacists role relating to and will then decide if prescribing a medthe minor ailment service? icine is necessary 4/4