Tag: children’s medicine

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Compounding Health

Respiratory Disorders in Children: How Compounding Can Help

Respiratory disorders are among the most common illnesses that affect children, particularly those in their early years. These disorders can range from mild conditions such as allergies, to more severe conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Respiratory disorders can cause significant discomfort and distress to children, and in severe cases, they can even be life-threatening. However, with the help of compounding pharmacies, parents can get the customized medication they need to manage their child’s respiratory disorders and improve their quality of life.

What are Respiratory Disorders?

Respiratory disorders are illnesses that affect the respiratory system, which includes the lungs, bronchi, trachea, and nose. Some of the most common respiratory disorders in children include allergies, asthma, bronchitis, COPD, cystic fibrosis, and pneumonia.

Allergies: One of the most common respiratory disorders in children. They occur when the immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance, such as pollen, dust, or animal dander. Allergies can cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.

Asthma: A common respiratory disorder that affects children. It is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which can make it difficult to breathe. Asthma can cause symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Bronchitis: An inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which are the tubes that carry air to the lungs. It can cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and chest congestion.

COPD: A chronic condition that affects the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe. It is most commonly caused by smoking or exposure to air pollution. COPD can cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Cystic fibrosis: A genetic condition that affects the lungs and digestive system. It causes the production of thick, sticky mucus that can clog the airways and make it difficult to breathe. Cystic fibrosis can cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and recurrent lung infections.

Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs that can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. It can cause symptoms such as coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing.

How Compounding Can Help

Compounding pharmacies can create customized medication formulations that are tailored to the unique needs of each patient. This is particularly important for children with respiratory disorders, as their medication needs may differ from those of adults. Compounding pharmacies can create medications in a variety of forms, including liquids, gels, creams, and powders, which can make it easier for children to take their medication.

For example, children with asthma may require medications that are delivered via a nebulizer or inhaler. Compounding pharmacies can create customized formulations of these medications that are optimized for the child’s age, weight, and condition. This can help to ensure that the child receives the right amount of medication to manage their symptoms effectively.

Pediatric compounding pharmacies can also create medications that are free of allergens or other ingredients that may cause an adverse reaction in the child. This is particularly important for children with allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients.

In addition, compounding pharmacies can create medications that are flavored or scented to make them more palatable for children. This can help to improve compliance and make it easier for children to take their medication as directed.

Conclusion

Respiratory disorders are a common health concern for children, and they can cause significant discomfort and distress. However, with the help of compounding pharmacies, parents can get the customized medication they need to manage their child’s respiratory disorders effectively. Compounding pharmacies can create medications that are tailored to the unique needs of each child, which can help to improve medication compliance and ensure that children receive the right amount of medication to manage their symptoms.

It is important for parents to work closely with their child’s healthcare provider and compounding pharmacist to develop a treatment plan that is effective for their child’s individual needs. This may involve regular monitoring of symptoms, adjusting medication dosages as needed, and making lifestyle changes to help manage the condition.

Parents should also be vigilant in watching for signs of worsening symptoms and seek medical attention promptly if their child experiences difficulty breathing, chest pain, or other severe symptoms. With the right treatment plan and the help of compounding pharmacies, children with respiratory disorders can lead healthy and happy lives.

Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. Do not substitute it for medical advice. Always listen to your doctor for the management of your condition.

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Compounding Medicine

Why Does Medicine Taste Bad? Here’s How Compounding Can Help!

Nobody likes to consume a bitter-tasting medicine, especially children. There is a reason for it. Children’s tastebuds are more sensitive to bitter tastes, which makes swallowing a tablet much more difficult. The problem occurs when a kid dealing with a life-threatening illness simply refuses to take the medicine essential to save their life. So, why does medicine taste bad for children? And is there a remedy?

Luckily, there is a solution, and a compounding pharmacist can alter the taste of the medicine to make it taste better and save a patient’s life.

Contribution of Dr. Jeremy Bartlett

A few years ago, a group of pediatric cancer patients refused to take a drug that was tested in the form of an oral solution. The patients said that the medicine tasted spicy, almost like tabasco. The problem was that these patients were critically ill, and the potential drug was the only thing that could help keep them alive.

The situation was presented as a challenge to Dr. Jeremy Bartlett, who is an associate research fellow with Pfizer Drug Product Design in Groton, Connecticut. As per Dr. Bartlett, “This drives me with a passion. We have potential medicines, but need to mask their taste profiles so that pediatric patients may be more willing to take them.”

For the past four years, it has led to a Pfizer initiative working with a broad multidisciplinary team to create better-tasting medicine for kids. Around 90 percent of pediatricians report that the taste of the drug is the biggest barrier to completing children’s treatment. That is a critical situation that needs to be tackled. Luckily, compounding pharmacists have played a part in making medicines taste better and competing for children’s treatments.

Molecules to Medicines

Researchers spend years discovering all different kinds of molecules that can treat and cure illnesses. But very little time in determining how these molecules will be delivered to the patient in the form of a potential medicine. That is where drug product design comes into play. It covered everything from formulating controlled resealed tablets and oral solutions to transdermal patches. Dr. Bartlett specializes in ensuring that a drug is safe and effective to be delivered to patients.

When it comes to creating medicines for kids, it isn’t as simple as taking an adult medicine and adding berry flavor to it. It isn’t a vice to treat kids as older adults when it comes to medicine. They have very different metabolisms, stomach sizes, transit times of medicines, and responses. All these elements come into play when designing perfect medicines for kids.

The Balance of Flavor

The drug product designers are working tirelessly to formulate the right balance of flavor, which brings us back to our original question: why does medicine taste bad for kids?

Why Does Medicine Taste Bad for Kids?

Believe it or not, children are more sensitive to flavors than adults. Moreover, 10 percent of the children have elevated taste receptors that could make a particular drug acceptable to the majority but not to those 10 percent of children. Formulating drugs for global consumers come with its own set of challenges. For instance, a banana-flavored medicine might be popular for kids in the US but not in Asia.

For the past years, Bartlett and the team have been working tirelessly to resolve the issue of pediatric drugs. According to them, the best flavor is no flavor, just like water. Making medicine taste like water would be the ultimate solution, but it will take a long time for the solution to come into practice. As per Bartlett:

“If we don’t have to worry about a child swallowing a medicine – if we can remove that battle for parents – and make taking medicines like drinking a glass of water, that would be a huge step forward.”

Poor Taste and Irritation – Elimination

Dr. Bartlett and his colleagues are working on a new innovation in drug product design. The new taste-neutral drugs are tiny spheres that are used as oral multiparticulates. Each sphere is covered with a tasteless barrier membrane that prevents the release of drugs into the mouth. It prevents the drug from interacting with taste receptors in children, which eliminates the problem of poor taste and irritation in kids.

One dose of this type of drug might contain thousands of od multiparticulates that will be packed in a sprinkled capsule, sachet, or stick pack. These multiparticulates won’t feel gritty or unpleasant and will travel smoothly through the mouth, resulting in a pleasant experience. While this seems like a lot of effort, Dr. Bartlett and the team have formulated a new pediatric drug which is still in the clinical testing phase. He said, “It’s a long process that takes time and resources, but our whole team is focused on getting medicines to the kids who need them,… A potentially significant improvement over where we were, and so far no complaints.”

As we know that creating a new type of drug is more than coating a pill with sugar, especially if you are dealing with a super picky eater or taster.

What is the Solution to a Massive Revolution?

Until neutral-tasting drugs come into the market and are widely available, we all need an alternative to bitter-tasting drugs. Compounding pharmacists can help you out immensely in this regard. They cannot only change the formulation to suit your kid but also add flavoring to the medicine, which makes the process of medicine administration much easier. Compounding pharmacists work with the pediatrician to ensure your child is getting the right dosage.

We hope you found this post informative and helpful! If you have any questions, leave them down in the comments section below or visit Burt’s RX online, and we will get back to you shortly.

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Compounding

How to Get Rid of Allergies for Children With Compounding

Allergies can be uncomfortable time for your child. However today we look at strategies of how to get rid of allergies for children with compounding. Read more below…

Children and medication are a tricky subject especially when it comes to those who suffer from allergies. Along with the active ingredients, conventional pills and syrups contain fillers, dyes, and binders, none of which work in the best interest of patients who are allergic to them. That makes the treatment potentially fatal. Some of the most common allergens include peanut oil, corn, wheat, coconut, gelatin, potatoes, and dairy.

Compounded Pediatric Capsules and Liquids – Burts Rx Pharmacy

If your child’s prescription medicine contains any of the allergens, your compounding pharmacist can help reformulate the drug. Doing so will eliminate non-essential ingredients from the meds, thereby minimizing the chances of an allergic reaction. Doctors offer prescriptions for compounded meds so that your child’s health isn’t compromised.

Other Benefits of Compound Medications

Compounding medications are designed with different types of delivery methods to suit the needs of your child. For instance, if your kid finds it difficult to swallow a pill, it can be converted into an oral suspension. In certain cases, the pills can also be transformed into a topical cream as well. Compounding meds are used to treat a multitude of different conditions. Generally, compounded pharmacies are prescribed oral pain meds, topical pain meds, HRT, thyroid meds, dermatological meds, and many others.

Patients With Food Allergies

Food allergies are more common than you think. If your child struggles with food allergies, you know how much of a challenge it is for caregivers and practitioners. Some of the common foods that trigger allergic reactions include cow’s milk, eggs, tree nuts, corn, wheat, soy, and corn. These impact nearly 8% of the children. A lot of parents find that their children are also allergic to food dyes and hence, they need meds that do not contain any food colorings.

Whether your kid is dealing with more common food allergies or a very rare trigger, over-the-counter meds are hard to navigate. A compounding pharmacist will use pharmaceutical-grade ingredients along with an allergy-free base to curb the side effects.

Kids with Specific Dietary Needs

Certain kids have specific dietary needs. For instance, your child might be on a gluten-free celiac diet. You will be surprised to know that a lot of meds contain gluten. It is difficult for you to spot gluten in meds because it comes with different ingredient names such as dextrans, dextrins, starch, and sodium starch glycolate. If your child has any specific dietary needs, the best way is to work with a compounding pharmacist.

Another dietary intervention is a ketogenic diet which is extremely helpful in minimizing seizure activity in children with epilepsy. Ketogenic is a diet that is low in carbohydrates and high in fat. Your compounding pharmacist will help keep the diet on track while ensuring the meds fit your needs.

Kids Who Need Medications in A Dosage That Is Unavailable

Compounding Pharmacists help offer patient-centric guidance in selecting the best form, dose, and formulation for your specific needs. This greatly improves the treatment outcome by optimizing the dosage of medication and reducing adverse reactions to the drug.

Compounding pediatric meds are an important part of patient care and which our team greatly takes to the heart at Burt’s Rx Pharmacy. Our experienced pharmacists are happy to discuss the unique needs of the patient.

Are Compound Medications Safe?

We use rigorous safety standards when it comes to compounding drugs in a sterile environment. It is important to note that compounding meds can get expensive. Hence, it is a good idea to check in with your insurance provider to make sure they cover the costs. Compounding medications do not cover alternative medications.

Not regular retail pharmacies can offer compounded medications. Most conventional pharmacies focus on the development of commercially available drugs that don’t involve any mixing. Hence, the patient must go to a specialized compounding pharmacy. There are limited options when it comes to pediatric medicine. A lot of kids are unable to swallow pills until they are older than seven years of age. You cannot find chewable pills and liquids from a conventional store. Pediatric compounding overcomes these challenges by offering tailored medications for your children.

Why is Pediatric Compounding Useful?

You might be able to find meds in a chewable and liquid form, but they will still taste bad which will hinder your child’s willingness to consume them. Sometimes, conventional pharmacies will only offer a particular medication in a pill form and cannot be altered. Some parents end up crushing the pills prior to giving them to their kids. However, it isn’t always safe. They might be dangerous for you when they are crushed/chewed. You shouldn’t try to alter the medication without consulting your doctor.

Pediatric compounding allows pharmacists to alter medications in a way that they are easier to administer. For instance, a pill might be converted into a lollipop or a liquid suspension. Pediatric compounding can help turn conventional meds into flavored liquids, topical creams, lotion, gels, foams, lollipops, dissolvable troches, popsicles, and suppositories.

Other Uses for Pediatric Compounding

Apart from altering the dosage form, pediatric compounding enables your pharmacist and pediatrician to work together in order to create a medicine that suits your child’s needs best. Compounding essentially combines different ingredients to custom-create medicine that can help overcome several common barriers found with pediatric medications.

Certain products can be compounded without inactive ingredients such as sugar, soy, dyes, gluten, and more to accommodate children who are allergic to these.

Similarly, the compounding pharmacist will add coloring and flavoring to medications to make them more appealing and palatable without altering the efficacy.

Certain retail medications only come in adult dosing, but compounding can alter the choice of active ingredients to offer the best dose for your kid to minimize unwanted side effects.

Final Takeaway

Compounding is hands down the best choice for children dealing with allergies. If you need more information on a particular medication or alternative dosage forms, get in touch with us immediately.

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Medicine

What’s the Best Allergy Medicine for Kids?

Spring season is here, which means allergy season as well. Here’s what to know about the best allergy medicine for kids.

It is awful to see your children struggling with allergies. While you can’t cure these allergies completely, there are ways and medications to control the symptoms and make your child feel better. Kids are affected by all sorts of allergies; pollen, dust bed mites, food, you name it. There are multiple kinds of medication available to treat allergies in kids.

In this article, we will discuss some of the best allergy medicine for kids. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Antihistamines

Without a doubt, Antihistamines are the longest-established allergy medications. They dampen the allergic reaction by suppressing the effects of histamine in tissues.

For mild symptoms, doctors generally recommend over-the-counter versions. Children who are unable to swallow the tablets can opt for syrups, chewable tablets, and melt-away forms of Antihistamine. They are great for controlling the itchiness that accompanies hay fever, hives, and eczema. Sometimes, doctors will recommend nasal sprays to ease congestion and breathing.

Antihistamines can sometimes cause mild drowsiness after the first dose. This is something to keep in mind.

Decongestants

If your child suffers from hay fever, antihistamines can stop the runny nose, sneezing, and itching but they won’t have any significant impact on nasal congestion and stuffiness. Decongestants are given along with an antihistamine to cover a range of symptoms.

Decongestants are typically taken orally and can cause stimulation in children. Children might show one of the following symptoms post taking a decongestant; being hyper, feeling anxious, having trouble sleeping, and/or a racing heartbeat. Due to these side effects, doctors won’t recommend using decongestants for long-term usage.

The treatment can be given topically with the help of nasal sprays or drops. Be very careful with the use of these medications and avoid using them on a long-term basis as it can lead to a rebound effect.

Cromolyn

Cromolyn sodium is typically recommended to treat nasal allergy symptoms. It can either be used every day to prevent chronic problems or for a limited duration to counter the symptoms of allergy. The medication is easily available in the form of a nasal spray and you can get your hands on it without a prescription. Your child can use it 3 or 4 times a day. Nasal cromolyn has negligible side effects but its potency is not high. As it requires frequent administration, children might struggle with consistency.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids aka steroids or cortisones are a very effective treatment for allergies and are effective for a wide variety of symptoms. They primarily come as skin medications; creams and ointments. They also come in the form of nasal sprays, asthma inhalers, pills, and liquids.

The topical creams are mainly used for children struggling with eczema.  Based on the severity of the rash, it can be applied once or twice a day. Nasal sprays have a compound derived from cortisone and work amazingly well for patients with nasal allergy problems. Typically, once-daily dosing is enough to treat the symptoms. Best results can be seen if it is used on a regular basis. No problems are seen in patients who use the medication on a long-term basis.

Allergy Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, allergy shots, are sometimes recommended to minimize your child’s sensitivity to airborne allergens. This form of treatment involves giving a child, the material he/she is allergic to with the help of an injection. The goal is to alter the immune system, making him/her less allergic to that particular material.

It is important to note that not every problem can be treated with allergy shots. However, the treatment of respiratory allergies to dust mites, pollen, molds is usually very successful. At present, sublingual immunotherapy is available to treat allergies for grass pollen and ragweed pollen. It is important to note that these treatments are given a few months before the season. Immunotherapy can also work wonders for cat and dog allergies in some patients.

Another thing to note is that immunotherapy takes some time to work and demands commitment and patience. The treatment is given by injecting stronger doses of allergen extract once or twice a week at first, and then gradually for longer intervals. You will be able to see the maximum effect in about 6 to 12 months.

Your child will start to feel better within a few months of getting immunotherapy. The injections might continue for three to five years before your doctor starts to make a decision on whether to continue with the treatment or not. For most children, this is highly effective and symptoms do not return even when the treatment is stopped.

Compounding Medication

When it comes to treating allergies in kids, compounding is hands down one of the best choices. Children and medicine don’t typically go hand in hand especially when there are multiple medications involved. A compounding pharmacist will alter the taste of medications to make them taste better, provide individualized strengths and dosage forms and make the process of medication administration less stressful for both you and your child.

  • Flavoured Medicine

Most medications can be transformed in order to make them more appealing. From ugly, awful tasting things to colorful flavored ones, you can surely encourage your child to take the meds without altering the effectiveness of the medication.

  • Unique Dosage Forms

A lot of children find it difficult to swallow the capsules and tablets especially when they have to take more than one medication throughout the day. To solve this problem, your doctor and compounding pharmacist can prepare alternate dosage forms that make the entire medication administration process easier. A compounding pharmacist can turn the pills into various forms such as oral liquids, lollipops, topical gels, and effervescent drinks.

  • Strength and Ingredient Variations

Every kid is unique and has different needs. Some kids have varying drug intolerances and have unique requirements. A compounding pharmacist can make your drug sugar-free, gluten-free, casein-free, soy-free, or dye-free and make it suitable for your child’s unique needs.

Conclusion

We hope you found this article informative and learned more about the possible options for treating allergies in children. Please do not substitute the information present in this article for the doctor’s advice. This article is meant to be used for information/learning purposes only.

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Medicine

Everything to Know About Cold and Flu Medicine for Kids

What is there to know about cold and flu medicine for kids? All the tips and information can help. Read further on now.

With the temperature turning colder, nearly all of us come under the effects of the weather. Children are more prone to getting cold, flu, and stuffy nose. It is very difficult to see your child dealing with a cough or stuffy nose. Children under the age of 5 are at a higher risk of getting affected during the chilly months.

As cold and flu are viral infections, antibiotics generally don’t help. There are certain steps you can take to improve the immune system of your children and educate yourself about the medication so that they heal at a faster pace.

Steps to Ensure Healing

Here are a few steps that you can take to help your child heal quickly:

Offer Fluids

The first thing you have to do to minimize the symptoms of cold and flu is to keep them hydrated. Fevers often result in dehydration which is never a great thing. It is common for your children to not feel thirsty while being sick. Hence, it is important that you encourage them to drink fluids. Some of the signs of dehydration are dry lips, soft sunken spots on the skin, less frequent urination, and decreased activity. Milk, natural juices, soups, and water are all great sources of hydration. After consulting with your doctor, you can also give them an oral rehydrating solution.

Help Them Breath with Ease

Your first thought would be to get a nasal spray. However, the over the counter medical nasal sprays are not recommended for young children. There are other things you can do to help clear out the stuffy nose of your child and help them breathe.

Keep a cool-mist humidifier in your child’s room. It helps to break up the mucus. Make sure to clean the humidifier between each use. Saline nasal sprays and drops also work really well for young children.

Aid the Cough

If your child is over a year old, give them about 2 to 5 milliliters of honey a few times a day. It helps ease the cough of younger children. Give them warm water instead of room temperature water. A combination of ginger tea and honey also soothes the throat.

Promote Rest

Your children need rest to recover. Make sure they are dressed comfortably. Avoid using heavy blankets or layering as it can make them feel hotter. A warm water bath can help them wind down and sleep comfortably.

Cold and Flu Medicine for Kids

First things first, do not give your child any medication without consulting with a doctor first. It is important to educate yourself about the medications though.

Cold and flu are caused by a virus so antibiotics do not work against them. Most doctors will prescribe antiviral medications to help your child feel better. Please note that it will take 1 to 2 days for your child to start feeling better. Let’s discuss some of the most commonly used medications:

  • Relenza (Zanamivir) – It is a Diskhaler that is suitable for children over 7 years of age. Relenza works really well for influenza type A and B and is administered by inhalation.
  • Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) is suitable for children who are 2 weeks older or above. It is available in the form of capsule and oral suspension and works for both Influenza type A and B.
  • Symmetrel aka Amantadine is an older medication used to treat Influenza type A. It is also effective for the prevention of flu in children older than 1 year.
  • Flumadine (Rimantadine) – It works wonders for the prevention of Type A Influenza and is used for children below 10 years of age.

Note: All these medications listed here are for educational purposes. Please do not give any medication to your child without consulting with your doctor.

Importance of Compounding Medication for Children

Medications and children don’t mix well. It can be quite challenging to give medication to your children especially when they are 2 years older or above. Even then, some kids find it extremely difficult to swallow pills. The limited options in medications make the process even more challenging. That is where pediatric compounding comes to the rescue. Pediatric compounding overcomes the challenges and tailor creates medicines for children.

Why Is It Useful?

Most children’s medication comes in chewable and liquid formulations. However, it doesn’t mean that they taste great. The taste alone makes the child repellent to taking the medicine. Crushing and swallowing the pills might not be a great option as some pills are meant to be swallowed. Compounding medication comes to the rescue and creates medications that are more suitable for children and are aligned with the medical needs. Some of the alterations are:

  • Creating flavored medications
  • Liquid sweet medication
  • Topical creams, lotion, gels, and foams
  • Medicines that resemble lollipops
  • Dissolvable troches
  • Popsicles
  • Suppositories

Other Uses of Pediatric Compounding for Children

The benefits of Pediatric Compounding are not limited to the dosage form. It enables your pharmacist and pediatrician to work together and create a medicine that is tailored perfectly to the individual needs of your child. With compounding, multiple ingredients are combined to overcome barriers that come with the normal pediatric medications that are listed below:

Allergies or Sensitivities

Certain medications contain sugar, soy, gluten, and dyes. These medicines are not suitable for people who are allergic to them. Compounding medication creates medicine, minus the ingredients that can cause allergies.

Unpalatable Medications

Compounding medicine can add color and flavor to the medicine which makes it more appealing to children in terms of looks and taste.

Pediatric Dosing

Certain medications only come on adult dosing but compounding pharmacists can make it more useful for children and reduce the side effects.

Final Takeaway

We hope you found this article informative and helpful. It is important to protect yourself and your children against changing weather. Keep them warm, teach them to wash their hands often, and avoid cold food items such as ice cream and colas during winter months.

Last but not the least, always consult a doctor prior to using any medication.

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Medicine

How to Get Kids to Take Medicine: 7 Tricks to Know

It’s no surprise that children generally dislike medication, so what do you do when your child is sick? Try these 7 tricks to get kids to take medicine.

The struggle is real for many parents. Your child gets sick. After a visit to the pediatrician, you leave with a prescription for medicine that you know will make them feel better. You pick up the prescription and head home. Your anxiety sets in because you foresee the difficulty in getting your child to take medicine.

You try begging, pleading, and even bribery to get them to take it. After an hour of trying everything you know to do, you feel like giving up.

It does not have to be this way. There are numerous tricks to get kids to take medicine. Below are nine that have helped many parents with the same problem.

1. Get Help From Your Pharmacist

Pharmacists and doctors have been answering questions for years from parents just like you. They have even come up with ways to help. Pharmacists can compound children’s medications to meet your child’s specific needs.

Pharmacists can create medicines in liquid, pill, gummies, or powder forms. They can even add your child’s favorite flavorings to take away the bad taste of some medications. Finding the right children’s medication for your child is essential, and that’s where we come in! Pediatric compounding is the best way to get kids to take medicine as it caters to their individualized needs.

2. Add Medicine to Food

Ask your pharmacist to compound your child’s medication in a way that you can easily blend it with their favorite foods. Applesauce, soups, juices, and chocolate milk are easy foods and drinks for blending. If you get creative, other favorites like pizza and hotdogs can work too.

The key to mixing medicine with foods is to work with your pharmacist to make sure you are not altering the medication’s effects, like if they are supposed to be time-released. Also, put the medicine in smaller portions to ensure the full dose gets eaten.

One cool hack is to mix the medicine in a dollop of cool whip with sprinkles on top. Another hack is to combine the medicine with chocolate syrup to get kids to take medicine.

3. Let Your Kids Make Decisions

Depending on your child’s age, it’s essential to let them have some control over what goes into their bodies. They also need to understand why they need medicine, and it is vital to explain the reason for them in a way that matches their learning level.

Let your child ask questions and answer them honestly. Let your child pick the flavor they want and how they want to take it. You can also let them select a small reward after they complete taking medicine.

4. Give a Small Reward

To help to get kids to take medicine, each time your child takes their medication, praise them verbally. You may also want to let them pick a small reward like a sticker, lollipop, popsicle, or something else they enjoy to entice them to take their medicine.

Your child does not deserve a new bike, money, or other large rewards for merely taking their medicine. Make sure the prize fits the action.

5. Use Clever Tools

If your child uses a pacifier, invest in a medicine pacifier. Ask your pharmacist to show you how they work. You can also choose medicine droppers and medicine spoons rather than trying to force them to drink from a small cup.

Likely there are other tools like this to make it easier for you and your child.

6. Model the Behavior You Want to See

Your child is watching to see how you react. If you are stressed, they will feel stress and may resist the medication. If you are angry, they may act mad in response and reject your attempts. Choose behaviors that will encourage your child to take their medicine.

If you want it to be a fun experience, do fun things while giving them medicine. Play a game, sing a song, or create some new dance moves. Think outside the box and get creative. Let your child create the game or song and decide at which point during each they take medicine. Continue to have fun after the dose is ingested.

If you take medication, let your children see you taking it. Have a positive attitude about it.

7. Make It Cold

Medicines taste better when they are cold. Refrigerate the medicine or put it on ice, so it is more flavorful. Or, have a cold, great-tasting drink ready at medicine time. Before and after your child takes their dose, have them take a drink.

This also helps to numb the taste buds at the front of the tongue. Some parents find having their child suck on a popsicle before they take medicine is the best way to numb taste buds, so your child doesn’t want to spit the medicine out when they consume it.

8. Let Your Doctor Give the First Dose

Children find it easier to manipulate parents, even though they don’t even know what it means to manipulate. They know how to get what they want, like getting out of taking their medicine.

When children are being instructed by non-parents, like police officers, firefighters, and yes, doctors, they tend to respond better.

To get kids to take medicine better, ask your doctor to provide a mini-teaching session for your child. Have them explain why they need the medicine, how it will help, and how to take it. Your doctor can even give your child the first dose, helping both of you understand administration.

If your doctor cannot give the first dose, ask your pharmacist to provide the child’s mini-teaching session. Working with a professional in a white lab coat may convince your child to take their medicine.

9. Tag Team

Work with your spouse or another family member to help get kids to take medicine. Choose a team member that doesn’t give in to your child’s demands or tantrums if they should occur. Your child may feel outnumbered and follow orders.

If not, there may be a time where you and your partner need to administer the medicine together. In such cases, you must first ask your pharmacist to teach you how to do this so you avoid accidentally causing your child to choke.

With these suggestions, you can feel more confident in getting your child to take their medication.

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Compounding

Mastering Medicine Flavoring: How We Improve Children’s Medicine

You love your kids, but you don’t love trying to give them medicine. But by mastering medicine flavoring, your local compounding pharmacy can actually help your kids with taking medicine.

It’s a story as old and common as time itself – so common, in fact, that virtually every family has their own set of tips and tricks for getting them down the hatch. Some parents mix the medicine into sugar, others use money like a bribe. And other play “the airplane game” to add a little fun and distraction.

But here’s the thing: some of these methods can be a problem, and you might not even be aware. Mixing certain drugs with sugar, for example, can interfere with rate of absorption. And losing even a few drops of a formula while playing that beloved airplane game might leave your child underdosed.

So, what’s a parent to do about kids medicine, anyway?

First, don’t turn to old wives’ tales and at-home methods without checking with your pharmacist. We can turn that bitter spoonful or sour pill into something a little more palatable with safe, doctor-approved medicine flavoring.

What is Flavor Compounding?

Pediatric flavor compounding is a special process in which we blend medications with kid-friendly flavors, like:

  • Apple
  • Grape
  • Chocolate
  • Cherry
  • Mint
  • Banana

These flavors are sourced from special ingredients that are extensively tested to ensure they won’t trigger harmful interactions or interfere with the drug itself. Medicine flavoring is also generally hypo-allergenic or at least far less likely to trigger a reaction than the foods most parents use to mask medicine at home.

In most cases, the pharmacist will create your child’s medicine from scratch or break it down and mix it into the flavoring before you take it home. Medicine flavoring can be added to almost any oral dose format, but are much more common in liquid medicines.

There are some instances where you may be able to request the addition of flavoring to an existing prescription you already have. Whether or not this is possible really depends on the drug and how much of the prescription you have left.

How Medicine Flavoring Works

There are three main “problem flavors” associated with most medications and drugs children take:

  • Saltiness
  • Sourness
  • Bitterness

These are, of course, the flavors they complain about the most, too. And really, who can blame them? It’s no fun feeling sick or unwell and having to try and swallow something that tastes awful!

Like colors on the color wheel, saltiness, sourness, and bitterness all have an opposite “contrasting” flavor that softens them and makes them seem less pronounced. That means we can’t just add your child’s favorite flavor into every medicine and call it a day.

We’ll tell you how it all works, and which flavors work best for each particular problem, in the next few sections.

Eliminating Saltiness

Saltiness in medications generally comes from one of two sources.

  • Either the medication itself contains some form of sodium
  • Or it contains specific inorganic compounds known to carry a salty flavor.

To mask salty flavors, pharmacies generally turn to sweet, fruity flavors like strawberry, raspberry, orange, cherry, or watermelon. In most cases, they are simulated or artificial flavors; real citrus often affects drug absorption rates. Still, they are just as tasty and just as safe whether they’re real or made in a lab.

Have a kid who can’t stand fruit? Other options, including butterscotch, caramel, and maple, might work out better. These options tend to work better for drugs that are extremely salty, too. If you aren’t sure which your child will prefer, ask your pharmacist to create a drug-free sample for your little one to taste!

Eliminating Sourness

Some medications are sour, rather than salty. This is a result of the base ingredients being more acidic. You’ll know this is the case if you give your child their medicine and they immediate make that well-known puckered-up face!

Here, too, sweetness can be very helpful. But some fruit flavorings, such as lemon and orange, may actually make the problem worse. That’s because many fruit flavorings contain citric acid, which is also slightly sour.

Other fruits (either artificially created or naturally) contain fewer acids, making them a better choice for eliminating sourness almost across the board. These fruits include:

  • Raspberry
  • Cherry
  • Tangerine
  • Pineapple
  • Mango

Xanthan gum can also help to reduce or mask sourness in a particularly sour formula or medicine. It works by creating a colloidal coating over the tongue, preventing acidic ingredients from making contact with the taste buds.

Eliminating Bitterness

Many kids find bitterness the most challenging flavor of all. Unlike saltiness or sourness, there’s just not much redeeming about it and there’s really no “adapting to the taste” with it, either. This may be a direct result of the fact that humans evolved the ability to sense bitterness as a defense mechanism against poisonous foods.

Bitterness is usually present in medicines containing certain polyhydroxy compounds, including alkaloids, amides, and amino acids. This usually includes drugs containing:

  • Caffeine
  • Codeine
  • Levothyroxine
  • Tylenol
  • Ibuprofen

Certain blood pressure drugs, heart rhythm drugs, and antibiotics may carry a bitter flavor, too.

The go-to flavor here is also sweetness, but because bitterness is so difficult to cover, it has to be especially sweet in order to be effective. Some of the fruity flavors used to mask saltiness or sourness, including raspberry, orange, lemon, mango, and pineapple, just don’t work.

The latter two may even enhance a bitter flavor. That’s bad news, since it can actually make the bitter flavor stronger and much less palatable.

So what does work?

Chocolate, mint, tangerine, marshmallow, caramel, and banana creme. If your child has ever been prescribed a liquid antibiotic like amoxicillin, they’ve probably had the banana flavor already – it’s very distinct.

Common Questions from Parents

What Is Medicine Flavoring and Compounding?

It is a special process done in a compounding pharmacy to improve the taste of children’s medicine by blending medications with kid-friendly flavors.

Why Does Medicine Taste Bad to Kids?

There are three reasons, or “problem flavors” associated with children’s medications. They are: saltiness, bitterness, and sourness. But with compounding, you can reduce these three issues.

Are Flavorings Safe?

Yes, there are thousands of potential ingredients that may mask bad flavors in medication. Because of this, your pharmacist can work directly with your child’s needs.

What’s In Those Medicine Flavorings, Anyway?

Parents often have questions about the kind of flavorings we use in children’s medicine.

  • Are they safe?
  • Do they contain a lot of sugar?
  • Are they filled with potentially harmful dyes that might make your child hyperactive?

In truth, there are thousands of potential ingredients that can mask a flavor. Some of these are naturally-sourced from existing fruit or foods (e.g., tangerine oil or mango powder) while others are artificially created in a lab. Some medicine flavorings are high in sugar, while others are actually sugar-free.

Worried about artificial flavors? This mostly stems from a misunderstanding of science, as pharmaceutical flavorings are rigorously tested for safety before they ever even reach the pharmacy. Still, you can request the pharmacist use only natural ingredients if you have a preference.

Conclusion

This diversity of options might make flavor compounding seem complicated, but it is important because it allows us to find unique solutions to special needs.

Still, it does mean there’s no easy way to tell you what works best for every patient or every situation. For that, your best bet is to reach out to your pharmacist for a personal medication review.

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Health

10 Back to School Health Tips for Your Little Ones

It’s that time of the year again – school. This means new teachers, new friends, and learning new things everyday! But it also comes with viruses, colds, and the flu, but these back to school health tips can protect you and your little ones.

Another beautiful summer is coming to an end, and that means school days are right around the corner.

Whether you’re celebrating your upcoming free time or lamenting the loss of time spent with your little ones, chances are you’ve already launched yourself into organization mode.

Good for you for getting a head start!

 

Why Back to School Health is Important

Now, let’s talk about another important back to school topic: keeping your little ones healthy and well as they transition back into a daily schedule.

It can be difficult for young ones to transition back from their summer mindset to return to school, so it’s important to keep their minds, and their bodies healthy.

From avoiding common colds and flus to feeling vibrant and motivated to learn, this list of smart back to school health strategies and tips will leave all of you feeling better prepared.

 

1. See Your Doctor for a Physical

Kids need regular checkups to stay healthy, says Medline Plus. Even if you’ve been to the doctor for a specific reason in the last few months, you should still bring your kids in for a full physical before school starts.

Your doctor will measure and examine them to ensure they’re on track, vaccinated, and on target for their age.

 

2. Visit the Dentist

Little ones can begin suffering from dental problems at a very early age, especially if they have a genetic tie to certain conditions. Kids should start visiting the dentist at around age 3 at the very latest.

Scheduling an appointment right before school starts and right when it ends fits the recommended twice-yearly cleaning schedule perfectly.

Plus, it helps ensure your little one feels comfortable and confident in their smile, which is ideal when you’re meeting and making tons of new friends.

 

3. See Your Optometrist

Eye health matters. Studies show that most vision problems begin to manifest right around the early school years, making this an important back to school health reminder.

Children may struggle to see the board, leading to poor grades or negative reports from teachers. Or, they may squint and have difficulty following along. Schedule in to see the optometrist to ensure you don’t inadvertently overlook these risks.

It’s best to go at least a couple of weeks before school begins just in case they need time to acclimatize to new spectacles.

 

4. Follow a Sleep Schedule

Summer is made for lazy days and late nights – and that’s exactly what makes it feel like hell to try and get back on track in the fall. Kids tend to get off-schedule over the summer, so it’s best to use the last couple of weeks of vacation to get everyone sleeping well again.

Set a bedtime and stick to it. It’s okay for kids to stay up a little later on the weekends, but you should try to avoid extending sleep times more than an hour or two in either direction. Otherwise, you may find yourself struggling with a reluctant sleeper every morning before school.

 

 

5. Avoid Cold and Flu Transmission

The school environment can admittedly be germy; common colds and flus often get passed around more than a soccer ball in a game of Red Rover.

  • Teach your kids to cover sneezes and coughs with their elbow.
  • Advocate for frequent hand-washing, too.

A super trick for the littlest ones is to teach them to sing happy birthday twice while they wash – this will ensure a complete clean.

 

6. Stick to a Healthy Diet

Candy bars, chips, and chocolate might be delicious, but they’re also loaded with sugar and other ingredients that create the perfect body environment for illness. Help your kids with back to school health by providing them with wholesome, non-processed foods for lunches and snacks at school.

If you aren’t sure what to pick, try Mayo Clinic’s incredible nutrition guide for kids. It’s all about balancing proteins, fats, carbs, and sugars to keep them focused, motivated, and energetic all day long.

 

7. Keep Kids Hydrated

It’s also important for kids to drink enough water. Unfortunately, relying on the school water fountain is a sure-fire recipe for colds and flus; they’re incredibly germy.

Instead, pick out a great thermos or water bottle they can carry around with them over the course of the school day. Aim for something functional but fun; they’ll be more likely to keep it with them and sip from it all day long.

 

 

8. Multivitamins May Help

Have a picky child? Maybe your son or daughter is a “speedy snacker” who’s too busy playing to eat right most of the time. Or, maybe you have a kid in sports who has a special need for properly balanced nutrition.

Either way, your pharmacist can probably suggest a good daily multivitamin to fill in the gaps.

That said, do remember that multivitamins are an adjunct to proper nutrition…not a full replacement. Meals should come first always.

 

9. Ditch the Heavy Backpacks

Seeing little ones trying to drag around 50 lbs of books is enough to make anyone cringe (the least of which is your child).

In truth, there’s a wealth of evidence to show that carrying so much weight might be harmful, especially if they aren’t using the backpack correctly in the first place.

First, pick the right product – and that means no more single-strap purses or passenger bags. Backpacks should have two straps, and both straps should be placed correctly over the shoulders at all times.

An even better alternative? Buy them a rolling backpack they can pull along behind them. No more headaches and neck-aches!

 

10. Address Back to School Refusal With  an Open Mind

Struggling with a child who seems school-resistant? A little bit of grumbling in the morning is normal (especially for teens, who naturally follow a later schedule). Any intense fighting, crying, or extreme reluctance, however, may be a sign that something more is going on.

Talk to your child:

  • Are they feeling unwell (really unwell…not just faking)?
  • Are they using a stomachache to cover up anxiety or depression?
  • Is there bullying going on, or are they struggling with the curriculum?

Don’t be afraid to reach out for back to school health help on this or any other issue. Kids might face more stress and pressure today than ever before, but there are also better options to help them – and you – cope, too.

 

Read More:

How to Keep Your Kids Safe From Back to School Viruses
 

Common Questions for the Start of School

Should Kids Get a Physical Before School Starts?

Yes, your child should get a physical before school starts, even if they’ve been to the doctor for a specific reason recently.

How Can Kids Avoid the Flu in School?

Teach them to cover their sneezes and coughs with their elbow and advocate for frequent hand-washing.

Does Diet Affect Kids’ Health in School?

Absolutely. It’s important they drink enough water, and stick to a healthy diet with wholesome, non-processed foods. Vitamins can also help (if they need).

Categories
Health

Infant Immunization Week: Why Are Vaccinations for Children Important?

April 27-May 4, 2019, is  National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW). This year, we’ll explore what NIIW is, and why vaccinations for children are so important.

This small facet of the World Health Organization’s larger overall World Immunization Week (WIW) gives us the chance to re-focus on the importance of vaccines.

NIIW is also the perfect time to dispel many of the myths associated with inoculating infants that cause parents to second-guess vaccinations.

 

What Is National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW)?

According to the NIIW, this week is “an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases”

In a country where anti-vaxxer attitudes are rapidly leading to the resurgence of potentially fatal diseases, like measles and whooping cough, this is a critical opportunity.

In today’s post, we’ll start by explaining why vaccinations for children are so essential for your little ones.

Then, we’ll talk a bit about the most common vaccines and the standard inoculation schedule for children under the age of 5.

Lastly, we’ll tell you what you need to know about post-vaccination symptoms – and why they aren’t as scary as you think.

 

About Your Infant’s Immune System

The human body is equipped with a system of cells and and proteins that “fight off” and eliminate harmful intruders from the outside world.

In a healthy, full-grown adult, white blood cells will seek out and actively destroy bad bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens in an effort to protect the body from harm.

In infants, this system isn’t fully-functioning – at least not right after birth. It actually takes several years for the immune system to mature.

In order for the immune system to learn how to fight off illnesses, it must either:

  • Be exposed to them directly or,
  • Receive antibodies from an outside source

Little ones receive these antibodies via placental transfer during pregnancy, and later, via breast milk.

By age two, maternal antibodies fade significantly. The infant’s immune system has to take up the job of protecting them from illnesses; yet, it still isn’t as strong as a healthy adult’s immune system.

This makes infants and toddlers much more susceptible to disease – especially infections.

 

How Do Vaccinations Work?

Most inoculations contain dead, deactivated, or weakened versions of the viruses and bacteria that make people sick. For example, the flu vaccine contains a dead version of the most common flu strain for any given year.

The viruses and bacteria in vaccinations aren’t strong enough to make you sick, but your immune system still recognizes them for what they are.

The immune system can then launch an immune response, producing antibodies that teach it how to fight off the germ in a more effective manner.

Because the virus or bacteria has been weakened or deactivated, it can’t fight back – making it far more likely that the body can effectively fight it off and create the right antibodies the first time around.

The vaccinated person becomes fully or partially immune to the germ, depending on which illness you’re inoculating for.

 

 

Why Are Vaccinations for Children So Important?

Plainly put – vaccinations for children keep infants and toddlers safe and help protect them from potentially deadly diseases. This includes:

  • Measles
  • Chicken pox
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Whooping cough
  • Polio
  • Diphtheria
  • Hepatitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Flu

Contrary to popular belief, all of these disease can cause severe illness and even death, especially in infants who do not yet have a fully functioning immune system.

In fact, around 11,000 people die from chickenpox each year in the United States. Another 36,000 die from complications associated with the flu. A significant portion of these cases are, unfortunately, associated with early infanthood and toddlerhood.

Vaccines for Children

By vaccinating your child, you help your little one’s body learn how to fight off diseases.

The next time their immune system encounters that illness, it will have the tools to prevent them from becoming severely ill – potentially saving their life.

But there are also more practical reasons to vaccinate, too:

  • Children who are vaccinated experience a lower need for time away from school or recreation due to illness.
  • They also require fewer visits to the doctor, have lower hospital bills, and cause less financial strain for parents, who may have to take time away from work to care for the child when they become ill.

 

Another Reason to Vaccinate: The Role of Herd Immunity

The second most important reason to vaccinate your child – aside from protecting them from serious harm – is to add to your community’s herd immunity rate.

But what exactly is herd immunity?

Vaccines work best when at least 95 percent of the population is vaccinated; this is referred to as “herd immunity.”

When nearly everyone has been vaccinated for a specific disease, it becomes much more difficult for small outbreaks to turn into large-scale epidemics.

This ensures people who have legitimate reasons to not vaccinate, such as allergies, HIV/AIDs, or chemotherapy-associated immunodeficiency, remain protected at all times.

 

Vaccination Schedule for Children Under 5

You know now that vaccinations for children are important to your child’s overall health, and the health of your local community.

But which vaccinations for children are the most important? Do infants really need all of those shots when they’re so little?

As a parent, it can feel overwhelming to see your little one need so many vaccinations in a short period of time. But these vaccinations for children are only high in number because they form your little one’s initial “core immunity.”

As time goes on, your child will require fewer and fewer vaccinations, eventually needing only the occasional booster and/or any new vaccines discovered by medicine.

To understand which vaccines your child needs prior to age five, see the the CDC’s easy-to-read chart for parents shown below.

Using the chart is simple; just find the child’s age using the information at the top of the page. Then, look underneath the age to find a list of recommended vaccines for that particular age group.

Yellow-shaded cells indicate the vaccine can be given at any point within that age range; unshaded cells indicate the vaccine should be given at a specific age instead.

Examples of the CDC Recommended Vaccination Schedule

Here’s an example: you can see that the CDC recommends infants receive the Hepatitis B shot at birth. They receive a second Hep B booster at some point between one and two months of age.

Your local pharmacy or pediatrician can help with all of these.

When they are officially two months old, the CDC recommends being vaccinated for:

 

But What About Side Effects and Risks?

There’s a  lot of misinformation out there about vaccinations for children. In fact, much of the information that spreads online about the dangers of vaccines is downright false.

The truth is that science proves vaccines are low-risk and remarkably effective at preventing serious illness or death.

All medications – including vaccines – have a very small risk of causing harm in some patients.

The most common vaccine “side effects” are redness and irritation at the injection site; this is usually caused by the needle or the diffusion of the formula throughout local tissues, rather than a toxic ingredient. After vaccinations, some children may also experience:

  • Low-grade fever
  • Restlessness
  • Nausea and vomiting

However, it is critical to note that this is not caused by the vaccination; it’s a symptom of the body launching an immune response, instead.

As strange as it might seem, that low-grade fever means the vaccine is effective!

As for severe reactions, the risk of experiencing a problem of this magnitude after inoculation is infinitesimally small. In fact, most research shows you have a better chance of winning the lottery.

In reality, most patients who react poorly to vaccines are really either allergic to an ingredient in the vaccine and/or have unique genetic conditions that inhibit the body’s ability to process the ingredients.

 

 

Conclusion

This National Infant Immunization Week, take some time to research the importance of vaccinations for children.

At the end of the day, every decision to use medication – including vaccines – comes down to risk versus benefit.

In almost all cases, the risks associated with getting inoculated are much, much lower than the risk of getting sick.

If you have further questions or concerns regarding vaccinations for children, contact Burt’s Pharmacy and Compounding Lab today.

Categories
Health

Pediatric Medication Dosing: What to Know

Children’s medicine is supposed to help your little ones, but there’s important (and potentially dangerous) things to consider about pediatric medication dosing.

There is nothing quite as awful as being the parent of a child who isn’t feeling well. But that’s exactly what happens to hundreds of parents every single year. Unfortunately, finding the right treatment isn’t always easy. After all, fewer drugs are commercially formulated specifically for little ones in the first place.

The problem lies in the fact that pharmacists calculate most medication dosages by weight. This is often expressed as milligrams or milliliters per kilogram.

The United States mostly relies on the pound, not the kilogram, so parents may struggle to understand the right measurement or dose.

To end the confusion, sometimes what is needed most is a little bit of guidance.

In this post, you’ll learn about common pediatric medication dosing and which options you have for helping your child get well.

 

Common Pediatric Medications

While children may need a variety of medications at any given time, some medications are more common than others. Some of the most common include, but aren’t limited to:

  • Antibiotics such as Amoxicillin or Zithromax. Both are available in generic formats (amoxicillin and azithromycin). Physicians prescribe them to treat strep throat, pneumonia, sinus infections, and ear infections.
  • Albuterol is a bronchodilator used to treat asthma. It is available in many brand names, and can be used as an inhaler or as a solution for use with a nebulizer.
  • Singulair is a longer-acting drug used to treat allergies and asthma. Physicians often prescribe it for symptoms that don’t respond to other drugs.
  • Fluticasone is a common ingredient in nasal sprays like Flonase. It is also prescribed to patients with eczema, allergies, and asthma.
  • Prednisone is a steroid drug. It is available for adults and children in a variety of soses. Physicians often prescribe it as a liquid to treat asthma, croup, and other disorders that respond well to steroids.
  • Nystatin is an antifungal medication commonly prescribed for yeast infections. This includes fungal diaper rashes and oral thrush.

Children with more severe conditions, such as cancer or chronic illnesses, may also be on chemotherapy or opioid-based pain medications.

These drugs are sometimes necessary, but can carry very high risks for side effects. The riskier the drug, the more important it is to make sure a child is getting the correct dose at the right intervals.

 

 

Pediatric Medication Dosing Safety

Because of a child’s growing nature and small stature, pharmacies have quite a few protocols in place to ensure pediatric medication dosing safety.

As a matter of fact, more than 7,000 children go to the ER each year because of medication errors. Even in hospitals, medication errors are 3 times more common in children than they are in adults. This type of mistake is preventable.

Errors often come down to incorrect instructions or improper doses.

But there are also concerns about medication errors that occur in the home. When it comes to a child’s medications, parents need to dose medications precisely to ensure safety.

Most liquid medications come with syringes or droppers. If your medication doesn’t, ask your pharmacist to supply a dropper. They’re more accurate than a regular teaspoon or tablespoon, especially since people often use eating spoons.

Many of the medications used for adults aren’t available for children. If you’re feeling unsure about which OTC medications are safe to give your little one, call your doctor’s office. Or, call your local pharmacy and verify.

Never give your child someone else’s prescription.

 

Medicine Containing Mixed Drug Formulas

Many medications include a mix of drugs. For example, cold medications often contain fever reducers, decongestants, and cough suppressants.

If you give your child cold medication, you have to be careful to avoid giving an extra dose of fever reducer. Carefully check all labels to verify what drug is in each formula and in what dose.

 

What to Do When Children Protest Medication

It’s important to note that pediatric medication dosing safety also includes making sure a child is taking their medication despite protest.

OTC medications may be optional, but children should take prescription medication until they run out. The exception is when physicians discontinue the medicine for a specific reason.

Unfortunately, you might need to find ways to entice your children to take medications if they aren’t feeling keen.

Some parents find that giving them a special drink to wash the medication down works, while others find being firm and using logic (e.g., you will feel better) is best. Every child is different, so your strategies may be totally different!

Sometimes, children absolutely refuse medication despite a parent’s best efforts. Don’t throw in the towel! Compounding pharmacies can help.

 

 

How Compounding Pediatric Medications Can Help

Depending on your child’s condition, a compounding pharmacy may be able to help you find a solution. At the very least, your compounding pharmacy can alter the medication your child is taking so that it has a more palatable taste.

Unfortunately, those yummy grape flavors are not standard in all prescription medications!

Can’t get your child to swallow pills? No problem.

A good pediatric compounding pharmacy can find a different delivery method altogether. Some pharmacies turn pills into enjoyable gummies, lollipops, lozenges, or liquids. They can even take pills — like steroids or pain medications — and turn them into topical creams, gels, and patches.

Your pharmacist also has a role to play. Working with your doctor, he or she can mix medications together or make alterations that will help to reduce side effects or make taking medications easier.

Compounding is especially important if your child is allergic to soy, lactose, dairy, or gluten. Gluten is a common binder, but is not typically in medication ingredients.

Sometimes, patients need casein and gluten-free diets. This diet prescription benefits allergies and other treatment protocols for different health conditions. In fact, many infant products contain soy, so having soy-free alternatives is critical.

 

1. Removing Undesired Elements

Don’t want to stuff your little one full of sugary syrups? We understand.

Too much sugar is a bad thing, even in medication, although in most cases taking the medication is more important. The good news here is your compounding pharmacist can use sugar-free sweeteners when making lollipops, gummies, or flavorings.

The removal of ingredients that aren’t well tolerated by your children (or desired by parents) helps to reduce side effects, creating a safer overall experience.

 

2. Making Child-Size Doses

Compounding pharmacists are also fantastic at reworking medications only produced in adult formulations. They can turn them into child-sized doses or even customize the dose for better treatment outcomes.

This includes customizing safer, lower-strength doses for your child, regardless of the format.

 

Conclusion

Pediatric medication dosing has many aspects that a parent must consider. But we can help.

Never give your child a medication you are uncomfortable with or unsure of. Call your pediatrician for guidance; be persistent if you aren’t getting return calls or have concerns about your child’s symptoms.

Have a question about a medication or dosage? Feel free to reach out to your pharmacist.

They can help with assessing dosage issues, guidance on medications, drug interactions and side effects. Your pharmacist may even be able to help you get in touch with your doctor’s office if there is a question or issue with a drug.

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