Research shows parents having trouble with medication instructions

Studies show parents give 20 percent more or less than instructed

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – New research in an American Academy of Pediatrics journal shows many moms and dads have trouble with medication instructions when it comes to their children.

The report was based on 64 different studies.

A common problem researchers found were medication errors, which is something that can put children at high risk and even land them back in the hospital.

Area pharmacist and owner of Robert's Southbank Pharmacy, Gary Roberts, said there are things parents need to know before leaving the hospital or a doctor's office.

Roberts said that reading labels can get confusing, especially when children are taking more than one medication at a time. He said parents need to the take time to speak up and ask questions.

Amanda Smith, a mother of two, spoke with News4Jax, saying at one point, one of her children was taking five different medications. She said keeping track of all of the medications wasn’t easy.

"In the beginning, it was a bit overwhelming,” Smith said. “With more than one to give, or just the time of day to give, and how often to give, that can get a bit confusing after a while.”

New research found that nearly half the time parents gave their kids medications, they gave them 20 percent more or less than prescribed. That’s something Roberts said is alarming.

Roberts said parents can't be afraid to ask questions.

“That short time it'll take to find out the answers to your questions can mean a lot in the middle of the night, when you're trying to dose medication, and then you're unsure,” Roberts said.

Before parents walk out the door, Roberts said there are things they need to understand:

  • The dosage or how much medication their child needs
  • How often they need to give it to them
  • and whether it needs to be taken orally or another way.

Roberts said it might sound simple, but those are common mistakes that can cause adverse effects.
Smith said she and her husband try to stay informed by asking lots of questions.

“You're just worried about taking care of these guys,” Smith said. “So whoever answers your questions, it's just a big help to ease the worry."

Roberts said all medications nowadays are dosed via the metric system rather than tablespoons and teaspoons. He said there are plenty of tools out, like syringes or cups, that can help make giving children the right amount of medication a little bit easier.