EDMONTON — Between 2018 and 2022, kids under the age of five accounted for 40 per cent of the 127,000 calls to Alberta’s Poison and Drug Information Services (PADIS).
With March 19-25 being the National Poison Prevention Week, the University of Alberta’s Injury Prevention Centre is sharing actions parents and guardians can take to protect kids from medication poisoning. Of the 51,000 calls to PADIS concerning children between 2018 to 2022, one-fifth involved 10 substances: ibuprofen, acetaminophen, vitamin D, melatonin, essential oils, toothpastes with fluoride, hand sanitizers, creams, and foreign bodies like ice packs or kitty litter.
Most common calls involving kids concern acetaminophen, ibuprofen
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil), are commonly found over-the-counter medications used to treat pain and fever. They are also found in medicines used to treat allergies, colds and flus.
While safe and effective, these medicines can be harmful when taken incorrectly or when not needed. Too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage, while too much ibuprofen may cause an upset stomach, abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding and seizures.
Young children can get a bottle of medicine left on a counter, in a purse, or a daily medicine organizer. Kids could also give it to a brother or sister to be helpful. Sometimes kids are given multiple medicines containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen at the same time.
Five tips to protect kids from potential medical poisonings
Give children the dose indicated on the prescription label or the medicine Drug Facts Table, and only when needed.
Be sure that everyone who gives medicine to a child knows the schedule to ensure the proper amount is given at the proper time.
Do not use more than one medicine containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen at a time.
Store medicines locked up tight, while out of sight and reach of children.
Keep medications in their original containers with labels to inform how much medicine should be taken and how often.
If a child has swallowed too much or the wrong medicine, call PADIS at 1-800-332-1414.
To speak with Dr. Kathy Belton, director of the Injury Prevention Centre, please contact: Sarah Vernon | University of Alberta communications associate | svernon@ualberta.ca