CAUTION: Kids' Chewable Meds

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
CAUTION: Kids' Chewable Meds
8
Tue, 12-12-2006 - 6:29pm

My DH thought maybe I should post this to you all as a warning, even though I know all you moms are really careful about stuff like this. The chewable meds, like chewable and meltaway Tylenol, trick kids into thinking they're like candy sometimes, and you have to be really careful to make it clear to them that it's medicine, and to keep them out of their reach. Another bad thing is that they come in those pop-bubble packets in boxes, and often not in childproof bottles. According to Michael, this is a (and I quote) "Recipe for disaster."

He admitted a little tiny girl to the PICU today for eating an entire box. He had to pump her stomach out with charcoal first. I'm not trying to insult any of your intelligence, but he wanted me to let you guys know that if you use those kinds of chewable, yummy medicines, just to be extra cautious. I think they're a lifesaver for moms like me who can't get meds down their kids' throats to save their lives, and need the chewy kind. But just the same, there is an added hidden risk involved with them!!

Sofia




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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2005
Tue, 12-12-2006 - 6:52pm
ive heard of kids eating those chocolate laxatives too because they think they are candy. my son at some tums one day thinking they were candy but he didnt get too many of them and was fine. i try to use the liquid with my boys because they cant open it.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-2006
Tue, 12-12-2006 - 6:59pm

Thanks so much for posting this Sofia.

Lilypie Maternity tickers
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-20-2006
Tue, 12-12-2006 - 7:04pm

My brother ate a whole bottle of the bubble gum flavored medicine when he was 3.


he had to drink charcoal and...yuck!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2005
Tue, 12-12-2006 - 7:43pm
When children ask my sister - the pharmacist - why medicine tastes so yucky she says it is so babies dont think it is candy and eat the whole container.



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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2006
Tue, 12-12-2006 - 8:42pm
How scary for the family of the little girl!
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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2005
Tue, 12-12-2006 - 9:57pm

Thank for the word of warning. We've always been very cautious with any kind of medicine, b/c my dh's cousin's son at the age of 4, climbed on top of the toilet to get access to a high up medicine cabinet shelf and opened a child proof medicine bottle. It contained Darvocet. Child-proof doesn't always mean every child proof. He thankfully is just fine after ingesting whatever was left in the bottle of darvocet.


So, I would caution other moms to be careful with their child-proof bottles as well. I know I've made the assumption before that a bottle is fine because its child-proof.




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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2005
Tue, 12-12-2006 - 11:15pm

You are allowed to insult my intelligence anytime it may prevent my daughter from having an accident.

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2005
Wed, 12-13-2006 - 10:30am

Thanks for sharing that Sofia! How horrible for that little girl... I pray she is ok.

I have to use the chewable meds for my kids, otherwise I end up holding them down and they spit half of it out. Right now they are in the cabinet above my stove, but I want to get a cabinet with a lock to put everything in... either that or put them in the hall closet with a keyed lock knob. My girls are starting to climb way too much, and it just scares me.

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