Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Accidental Medication and Illegal Drug Poisoning, Paediatric
Accidental Drug Poisoning, Pediatric
An accidental paediatric medication or illegal drug poisoning happens when a child takes too much of a substance, such as a prescription medicine, an over-the-counter medicine, a vitamin, a supplement, or an illegal drug.
The effects of medication or illegal drug poisoning can be mild, dangerous, or deadly. Even a small amount of a substance, such as one or two pills, can be dangerous for a child.
What are the causes?
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Taking too much of a substance by accident. This is the most common cause of accidental poisoning in children.
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Receiving an adult dose of a substance.
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Using more than one substance at the same time.
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Taking medicines or substances that interact with another medicine.
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An error made by:
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The healthcare provider who prescribed or dispensed the medicine.
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A carer who gave medicine to the child.
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What increases the risk?
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Is 6 years old or younger. At this age, children are often attracted to colourful pills.
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Has a carer who takes more than one prescription medicine.
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Has multiple health conditions or takes multiple medicines.
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Has a mental health condition.
What are the signs or symptoms?
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Behaviour changes, such as confusion, agitation, or not acting normally.
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Sleepiness.
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Slowed breathing.
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Nausea and vomiting.
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Seizures.
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Changes in eye pupil size. The pupils may be very large or very small.
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Cold, clammy, or pale skin.
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Blue lips.
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Very slow breathing.
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Extreme sleepiness.
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Loss of consciousness.
How is this diagnosed?
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Your child’s symptoms. You and your child will need to tell the healthcare provider about:
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All the substances that your child took.
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When your child took the substances.
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All substances your child may have access to in the home. If you can, bring any substances or bottles with you to show the healthcare provider.
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A physical examination, which may include:
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Checking and monitoring your child’s heart rate and rhythm, temperature, and blood pressure (vital signs).
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Checking your child’s breathing and oxygen level.
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Blood tests.
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Urine tests.
How is this treated?
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Giving medicines by mouth or injection to help balance the salts and minerals in the blood (electrolytes) or to block or reverse the effect of the substance that caused the illegal drug poisoning.
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Inserting a breathing tube (endotracheal tube) in the airway to help your child breathe.
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Passing a tube through your child’s nose and into the stomach (NG tube or nasogastric tube) to remove contents from the stomach.
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Filtering your child’s blood through an artificial kidney machine (haemodialysis).
Depending on many factors, your child may also be given medicine to absorb any medicine or illegal drugs that are in his or her digestive system.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
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Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as instructed by your child’s healthcare provider.
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Always ask the healthcare provider about possible side effects and interactions of any new medicine that your child starts taking.
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Keep a list of all medicines that your child takes, including over-the-counter medicines. Bring this list to all of your child’s medical appointments.
General instructions
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Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her urine pale yellow.
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Keep all follow-up appointments. This is important.
How is this prevented?
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Store all medicines in safety containers that are placed out of the reach of children. Dispose of medicines safely.
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Follow directions carefully when giving your child medicine. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider if you have questions.
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Read the insert that comes with your child’s medicines.
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To measure liquid medicines, always use the oral syringe or medicine cup that came with the bottle. Do not use household teaspoons or spoons because they may be different sizes and give you the wrong measurement for a dose of medicine.
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Talk with your child’s healthcare provider before you give any over-the-counter medicines to a child who is younger than 2 years old.
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Do not give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to children who are 6 years old or younger unless instructed to do so by your child’s healthcare provider.
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Make sure your child understands the importance of adult supervision when taking medicines.
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Do not give or allow your child to take medicines that are not prescribed for him or her.
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Keep the phone number of your local poison information centre near your phone or on your mobile phone. Have your child do this, too, if he or she has a mobile phone.
Contact a healthcare provider if:
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Your child’s symptoms return.
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Your child develops new symptoms or side effects when he or she takes medicines.
Get help right away if:
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You think that a child may have taken too much of a substance. Call your local poison information centre.
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Your child is having symptoms of medication or illegal drug poisoning.
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Your child has symptoms of shock. This may include:
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Cold, clammy, or pale skin.
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Blue lips.
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Very slow breathing.
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Extreme sleepiness.
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Loss of consciousness.
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These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get help right away. Call your local emergency services.
Summary
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An accidental paediatric medication or illegal drug poisoning happens when a child takes too much of a substance, such as a prescription medicine, an over-the-counter medicine, a vitamin, a supplement, or an illegal drug.
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The effects of medication or illegal drug poisoning can be mild, dangerous, or even deadly.
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Even a small amount of a substance, such as one or two pills, can be dangerous for a child.
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If you suspect medication or illegal drug poisoning, get help right away. Call your local emergency services.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
