Keep Your Child's Medicines on Track

Keep Your Child's Medicines on Track

Below are some tips for keeping your child on schedule with his or her medicines and helping your child take the medicines.

• Give your child the medicines. Make sure he or she takes the medicine. As your child gets older, involve him or her in taking more responsibility for taking the medicines.

• Use a special medicine measure with animals or other pictures on it.

• Give your child a lifesaver or licorice if the medicine tastes bad.

• Think about why you might have trouble sticking to the medicine schedule. For example, if a drug needs to be taken after a meal, it might mess up a special playtime or routine you have with your child. Talk to your doctor about these barriers and making the treatment plan fit you and your child's lifestyle.

• Plan your meals. Some drugs have to be taken with food. Plan when your child will eat so the right drugs can be taken with the right amount and type of food.

• Write down information about the medicines. This includes the drug name, when to take it, how much to take, and if your child takes it with food or on an empty stomach. Use this planner to organize your child's medicines.

• Don't leave your doctor's office until you understand how your child takes the drugs.

• Organize the medicines. Use daily or weekly pill boxes (or even egg cartons).

• Don't forget! Use timers, alarm clocks, or pagers to remind you to give your child his or her medicines. You could even write it in your planner.

• Plan ahead. Weekends and holidays make it harder to remember to stick to the medicine schedule. Figure out a plan ahead of time so you won't forget. If you're traveling, keep medicines with you, just in case your checked luggage is lost.

• Get refills on time. Don't miss a dose!

• Write down the problems your child has with the drugs. It will help you remember and track the problems.

• Tell your doctor right away if your child has side effects or other problems. Work with your doctor to make the treatment plan right for your child. You might be able to change it to make it better.