With infants and children at a high risk for prescription errors, administration errors, and serious drug interactions, it’s important to take necessary precautions. So, what are some of the practices that you can implement to prevent drug interactions in children?

• Prioritize drug safety interventions according to child’s level of growth and development
• Always verify safe dosages
• Provide education to child/family
• Use accurate measuring devices such as oral syringes and medicine cups for exact amounts
• Check the color, shape, size, and smell of medicines
• Perform drug research regarding incompatible drugs
• Follow special instructions, such as taking the medication with or without food

Source: Stressed Out About Drug Interactions, HCPro Inc., 2007. For more information on our series of Stressed Out books, visit www.stressedoutnurses.com