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When children have complex symptoms, or aren’t responding adequately to a medication they are taking, doctors often recommend adding another medication.
Taking multiple medications is called “polypharmacy.” And studies show that the number of children taking more than one medication is soaring. Combining medications can be effective when they’re prescribed and monitored carefully by a doctor expert in using them with children. But it’s important for parents to know the risks when adding medications, and to know whether they should be concerned about what a doctor is recommending. 1
The risk in combining medications is that they can interact in ways that increase unwanted or harmful side effects. Let’s say your child is prescribed one medication that causes mild sedation, and a second does the same thing. The result would double the sedation and the child would not be able to stay awake. 1
When your doctor prescribes a medicine, or when you ask about giving your child an OTC medicine, be sure to tell your doctor these things: 2
- Other medicines that your child is taking (both prescription and OTC medicines)
- Any drug allergies your child has
Giving Medicines to Kids
Using medicines safely means knowing when they're needed — and when they're not. Always check with your doctor if you're not sure.
Check to make sure you have the correct prescription. Many prescriptions and medicine bottles look the same, so make sure it’s the medicine that the doctor recommended or prescribed.
Read all instructions. Both prescription and OTC medicines usually come with printed inserts about common side effects and further instructions on how to take the medicine. Be sure to read all information carefully before beginning the medicine treatment.
Giving the correct dose is important because most medicines need to be taken in a certain amount and at certain times to be effective. It’s important that your child takes all the medicine each time. If a dose is missed, never give two doses at once to "catch up."
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving two types of medicines with the same or different ingredients to your child. That way, you can avoid a possible overdose or an unwanted interaction.3
Dr. Bassam Ghanem
Pediatrician
