Using Antibiotics

DID YOU KNOW?

It is very important that the correct amount of antibiotic liquid be given at each dose! If you don't have a device that measures accurately, ask your Pharmassist pharmacist for advice in choosing a device best suited to your child's needs.

Always store your child's antibiotics correctly! Many liquid antibiotics need to be kept in the refrigerator, but a few should stay at room temperature! Your Pharmassist pharmacist can advise you on storing your child's medicine.

Always finish antibiotics! Even if your child is feeling well, it's important to give the antibiotic for the entire period prescribed by your doctor. Otherwise, a few lingering bacteria could multiply and cause an infection more difficult to treat than the original!

Be careful when mixing antibiotics into juice or food. It is often possible to mix your child's antibiotics wiht a liquid such as juice or soft food such as applesauce. Always ask your pharmacist first because some antibiotics will lose their strength if mixed in this way.

Your doctor may not prescribe an antibiotic each time that you feel your child has an infection. Antibiotics are effective for treating infections caused by bacteria, but will not kill the viruses that cause problems such as the common cold or many chest infections. Your doctor will provide your child with an antibiotic only when it's needed.

Your child may begin to feel better within a day or so of starting antibiotic treatment. However, the bacteria causing the infection are still present. They may become resistant to antibiotic that isn't taken for the length of time prescribed. Resistant bacteria aren't killed effectively by the antibiotic. As a result the same antibiotic might not work if it's prescribed for your child in the future.

FOR BEST RESULTS - MAKE IT FUN!!

Giving a child antibiotics medicine doesn't have to be a chore! Here are some handy tips:

Fun with Stickers
Find some stickers for your child to put on a calendar or a specially made chart each time he or she takes a does of medicine. It's a great way of making this fun for your child, while making your life easier. IF it's fun, your child will be reminding you about the medicine instead of the other way around!

Reward!
Let your child know that when all the stickers have been placed on the medicine calendar, or when all the medicine is gone, he or she will get a special treat (to be decided at your discretion). This will ensure that the antibiotic is completed, and ad the time that it should be!

Add Flavour!
If your child does not like the flavour of the antibiotic that has been prescribed, talk with your pharmacist. Many Pharmassist pharmacies can flavour the medicine or change to a brand that is flavoured differently.

YOUR PHARMACIST CAN HELP!

Your Pharmassist pharmacist is always there to make sure that you understand:

- why your child needs the antibiotic
- how to tell if the medicine is working
- the best time of day to give the medicine (i.e. before or after meals)
- precautions that may be necessary while taking the antibiotic
- other medicines or foods to avoid or use cautiously while taking the antibiotic
- how to prevent potential side effects
- what side effects to watch for
- how to tell if your child might be allergic to the medicine
- how to store the medicine
- how to measure an exact does
- when or if you should call the doctor

Traditionally, antibiotic therapy has been given for 10 days. More recently, scientific research has been done with 5-day antibiotic therapy. Both types of therapy can cure lower or upper respiratory infections in children effectively. Your doctor selects a therapy he or she believes is right for your child's individual situation. Your doctor can also tell you more about antibiotic therapies, including short-course (i.e. 5-day) therapy.

Proper use of medicines, especially antibiotics, will help your child feel better as a quickly as possible!