It’s only January but we’ve already had the cold run through the house a few times. After winter break the kids were bringing home all kinds of coughs and sniffles which easily gets passed around the house more than once. My top priority is to always make sure I’m giving my kids the correct dosage of acetaminophen. To know your dose means your kids are getting the correct medicine for their age and weight. Keep reading for a FREE kids medicine tracker as well.
DISCLOSURE: THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY ACETAMINOPHEN AWARENESS COALITION AND THE MOTHERHOOD. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
Know Your Dose This Cold and Flu Season
This year’s flu season started earlier than normal and is on track to be one of the worst in decades. The Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition (AAC) is urging Americans to double check their medicine labels when treating cold and flu symptoms to avoid doubling up on medicines with acetaminophen.
Ever have one of those nights when you’re exhausted from a sleepless night and you’re waken up by a little one needing more medicine? What about “eye balling” the dose because you’ve done it 100 times and you know what the correct amount looks like in the dosage cup? Sound familiar at all? I’m sure we’ve all been there and honestly you’re not alone. Odds of Americans taking more than the FDA-recommended maximum dose of 4,000 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen in one day increases 24 percent during cold and flu season as stated in this recent research study.
One of the most common drugs in the U.S. is acetaminophen. It is found in more than 600 different over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines. It’s safe and effective when used as directed, but there’s a limit to how much you can take in one day and parents should be aware of correct dosage amounts.
HOW TO GIVE THE CORRECT ACETAMINOPHEN DOSAGE
1. Always use the dosage device that comes with the medicine.
2. Only give one medicine with acetaminophen in it at a time.
3. Write down what time you gave medicine and the dose.
4. Always read and follow the medicine label
Research has shown that teens and young adults ages 12-29 are at the greatest risk of taking too much acetaminophen. It’s important to teach your teen to check their medicine labels before taking cold or pain medicines, since accidentally taking too much acetaminophen could damage their liver.
Time is fleeting so let’s slow down, take care of our little ones while they’re still under our care. We all want to be confident we’re doing the very best for our kids and that includes when it’s time to heal their bodies with medicines.
Click below to open and save a free printable to keep track of acetaminophen and other medication.
