20/12/2024
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FOR YOUR CHILD'S SAKE, CONSULT YOUR PHARMACIST BEFORE GIVING ANY MEDICATION
A mother recently brought her child to the pharmacy, asking for eye drops. The concerning symptom? Yellowish discoloration of the eyes—a clear sign of potential liver damage.
Realizing the urgency, I immediately referred the child to the hospital. After thorough investigations, the diagnosis was severe acute liver failure, caused by paracetamol (Panado) toxicity. The mother had unknowingly given her child overlapping doses of paracetamol from two different syrups: one labeled as "Panado" and another cold and flu syrup that also contained paracetamol.
This tragic yet preventable case highlights the importance of understanding medications, recognizing the dangers of overlapping ingredients, and consulting a pharmacist before administering drugs to children.
✅️✅️Breaking It Down for you to help you understand why this might have happened
1. What is Paracetamol?
Paracetamol (also called PANADO) is a widely used pain reliever and fever reducer.
It works by inhibiting certain enzymes (COX enzymes) in the brain, reducing pain and fever.
2. How Can Paracetamol Cause Harm?
👉Safe in small doses: When taken within the recommended dose, the liver processes paracetamol safely, converting it into non-toxic substances.
🚫Toxic in excess: In larger doses, the liver is overwhelmed, producing a toxic byproduct (NAPQI) that can damage liver cells, leading to liver failure.
3. How Does Overdose Happen?
👉Unintentional double-dosing: Many cold, flu, and pain medications contain paracetamol under different names. Without proper knowledge, parents may unknowingly give multiple products containing paracetamol, leading to an overdose.
👉Lack of dosing awareness: Dosing for children is based on weight, not just age. Administering the wrong amount increases the risk of toxicity.
4. Why Are Children More Vulnerable?
👉Smaller liver capacity: A child's liver is less capable of handling toxins compared to an adult's liver.
👉Narrow safety margin: The difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is smaller for children, making them more susceptible to accidental overdoses.
✅️✅️What Can Parents Do to Prevent Such Cases?
1. Consult Your Pharmacist
Before buying any medication for your child, ask your pharmacist if the product contains paracetamol or other overlapping ingredients. Pharmacists are trained to identify potential risks and guide safe usage.
2. Read Labels Carefully
Always check the active ingredients on the packaging. Paracetamol might be listed under different names, such as acetaminophen.
3. Stick to Recommended Dosages
Only administer the dose prescribed for your child’s age and weight. Use the measuring device provided (not a household spoon) to ensure accuracy.
4. Avoid Combining Medications
Never give multiple medications to your child at once unless advised by a healthcare professional. For example, a cold syrup and a pain reliever might both contain paracetamol, leading to unintentional overdosing.
5. Store Medications Safely
Keep all medications out of reach of children and store them in their original packaging to avoid confusion.
✅️✅️The Bigger Lesson
Medications, even common ones like paracetamol, are not inherently "safe" or "dangerous"—they are tools that must be used correctly. Misuse, even unintentionally, can have severe consequences.
✅️✅️Share and Protect
Share this information with your family and friends to raise awareness about the risks of medication overdose in children. Let’s work together to ensure that no child suffers harm from something meant to help them.
Your Caring Pharmacist, Always Here to Help
