Version July 2025
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Why does my child need medicine? —
Children might need medicine for many health reasons. Your child's doctor might prescribe medicines to help them get well if they are sick. If your child has a long-term condition, medicine might help them manage their symptoms. You might also give your child medicines to treat a symptom like fever or pain.
It is important to learn about your child's medicine and how to give it safely.
What are over-the-counter medicines? —
Over-the-counter ("OTC") medicines are ones you can buy in a pharmacy or store without a doctor's prescription. They come in different forms, including pills, liquids, creams, and eye drops.
OTC medicines are commonly used to treat:
●Fever (if it makes your child uncomfortable)
●Cough and cold (in children older than 6 years)
●Allergies
●Skin rashes, diaper rashes, or hives
●Diarrhea or constipation
Some OTC medicines can cure conditions (such as rashes), but many only treat symptoms for a short time.
What is the correct dose of medicine for my child? —
To figure out the correct dose, look at the medicine's prescription label (figure 1) or "Drug Facts" label (figure 2). The section called "Directions" tells you how much medicine to use and how often to use it.
A prescription medicine dose is ordered based on your child's weight. For OTC medicines, you might need to calculate the dose based on your child's weight. If you do not know their weight, use the dose for their age.
To give your child the correct dose:
●Use the dosing device that comes with the medicine. If the medicine doesn't have a dosing device, ask the pharmacy, doctor, or nurse for one.
●Read the directions every time, even if you gave the medicine to your child before. Medicines can come in different strengths. Also, companies sometimes change medicines and doses.
●Follow the directions carefully. Do not give your child more medicine than directed. Giving your child extra medicine will not make them feel better, and it can cause serious problems.
Can medicines cause side effects? —
Yes. All medicines can cause side effects, including OTC medicines. The side effects depend on the medicine. Children are more likely than adults to get side effects from OTC medicines.
Can I give my child 2 or more OTC medicines at the same time? —
It depends on the medicines and their "active ingredient." The active ingredient is the part of the medicine that treats symptoms. Every medicine has at least 1 active ingredient.
To know what the active ingredient is, look at the Drug Facts label (figure 2). It's important to read the Drug Facts carefully, because medicines that treat different conditions can have the same active ingredient. For example, fever medicines and cough and cold medicines can have the same active ingredient.
Do not give your child 2 medicines with the same active ingredient. Doing this can cause an overdose. It can cause serious and even life-threatening problems.
How can I help my child take their medicine? —
Children sometimes do not like to take medicines. It might be tough to get your child to swallow the medicine.
Some tips that might help:
●Talk to your child before you give the medicine. Help them understand why they need the medicine and how it can help.
●Offer your older child an ice pop before taking the medicine. The cold can numb the tongue for a short time.
●If a liquid medicine tastes bad or bitter, ask the pharmacist if there are flavorings you can use. Ask if the medicine comes in a different form. Give liquid medicines with a dropper into the back of your child's cheek so they can swallow it without tasting it.
●If your child cannot swallow pills or capsules, ask the pharmacist if the medicine is available as a liquid. Some pills can be crushed and mixed with a liquid or food. Some capsules can be opened and sprinkled on a small amount of food. Check with the pharmacist before mixing medicine with anything. Use a small amount, and make sure your child eats or drinks all of it.
When should I call the doctor or nurse? —
Call the doctor or nurse if:
●Your child has side effects or problems from a medicine.
●Your child's symptoms don't get better or get worse after taking a medicine.
What else should I do?
●Talk to your child's doctor or nurse about their medicines at routine check-ups, before your child gets sick. Ask them which OTC medicines you should use, when to use them, and how to use them. That way, if your child gets sick, you already know what to do.
●Ask questions if you are unsure which medicine to use or how to use it. You can ask the pharmacist or your child's doctor or nurse.
●If giving an OTC medicine, choose one made to treat only the symptoms or condition your child has.
●Close the medicine tightly, and store it out of your child's reach.
●Throw out medicine that has expired (gone bad).
●Teach your child that medicines aren't candy, and that it can be dangerous to take too much.
●Keep the number for the Poison Center (in the US) handy, in case your child takes too much medicine: 1-800-222-1222.
Some other safety tips:
●Do not give your child medicine made for adults without first asking their doctor or nurse.
●Do not give cough and cold medicines to children younger than 6 years old. These can cause serious problems in young children. They are also not likely to help with symptoms.
●Do not give aspirin to children younger than 18 years old. It can cause a life-threatening condition called Reye syndrome in young people.
Patient education: Medication safety (The Basics)
Patient education: Why taking your medicine as prescribed is important (The Basics)
Patient education: Side effects from medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (The Basics)
Patient education: Ibuprofen dosing in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Acetaminophen dosing in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Acetaminophen poisoning (The Basics)
Patient education: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (Beyond the Basics)
