Health Tip: Giving Your Child Medicine

(HealthDay News) -- If your child requires medication, it''s important to understand why the medicine was prescribed or recommended, and how it should be given.

You should ask your doctor or pharmacist detailed questions about the medication before taking it home.

Here is a list of important questions to ask, courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

• What is the name of the drug, and what is it prescribed for?
• Are there any other drugs that may interact in a harmful way with this drug?
• How often does my child need to take this medication, what is the correct dose, and for how long should I give it?
• How quickly will this medication begin to work?
• What happens if my child accidentally misses a dose?
• Are there any side effects to this drug that I should watch for?

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: Feb. 07, 2007

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