Ten Tips to Prevent an Accidental Overdose

What Is a Drug Overdose?

An overdose is a condition of taking a larger dose of a drug than the body is able to handle. Overdoses can occur accidentally, even when a drug is taken as prescribed, or deliberately, as a suicide attempt.

For medicine to work for you - and not against you - you’ve got to take the right dose.

Many over-the-counter liquid medicines; such as pain relievers, cold medicine, cough syrups, and digestion aids - come with spoons, cups, oral droppers, or syringes designed to help consumers measure the proper dose. These “dosage delivery devices” usually have measurement markings on them - such as teaspoons (tsp), tablespoons (tbsp), or milliliters (mL).

But the markings aren’t always clear or consistent with the directions on the medicine’s package. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received numerous reports of accidental overdoses, especially in young children that were attributed, in part, to the use of dosage delivery devices that were unclear or incompatible with the medicine’s labeled directions for use.

FDA issued guidance to firms that manufacture, market or distribute over-the-counter liquid medicines. The guidance calls for them to provide dosage delivery devices with markings that are easy to use and understand.

Parents and caregivers can do their part, too, to avoid giving too much or too little over-the-counter medicine. Here are 10 tips:

1. Make certain to follow the labels of the medicines you purchased, especially what is being instructed in the Drug Facts section. Dosage instructions are included in this label in most cases. Before administering the medicine, read and follow the medicine’s label.
2. Know the "active ingredient" in the medicine. This is what makes the medicine work and it is always listed at the top of the Drug Facts label. Many medicines used to treat different symptoms have the same active ingredient. So if you're treating a cold and a headache with two different medicines but both have the same active ingredient, you could be giving two times the normal dose. If you're confused, check with a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
3. Give the right medicine, in the right amount. Medicines with the same brand name can be sold in different strengths, such as infant, child, and adult formulas. The dose and directions also vary for children of different ages or weights. Always use the right strength and follow the directions exactly. Never use more medicine than directed unless your doctor tells you to do so.
4. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse to find out what mixes well and what doesn't. Medicines, vitamins, supplements, foods, and beverages aren’t always compatible.
5. Use the dosage delivery device that comes with the medicine, such as a dropper or a dosing cup. A different device, or a kitchen spoon, could hold the wrong amount of medicine. And never drink liquid medicine from the bottle.
6. Know the difference between a tablespoon (tbsp) and a teaspoon (tsp). A tablespoon holds three times as much medicine as a teaspoon. On measuring tools, a teaspoon (tsp) is equal to "5 mL."
7. Know your child's weight. Dosage amounts for some medicines are based on weight. Never guess how much to give your child or try to figure it out from the adult dose instructions. If a dose is not listed for your child's weight, call your healthcare professional.
8. Prevent a poison emergency by always using a child-resistant cap. Relock the cap after each use. Be especially careful with any medicines that contain iron; they are the leading cause of poisoning deaths in young children.
9. Ensure that the medicines are always stored in a safe place. Your child’s curiosity can make them reach for those pills and chew them as though candies, putting them at risk for overdose.
10. Check the medicine three times before using it. For any medicine, it is always good practice to first, check the outside packaging for such things as cuts, slices, or tears. Second, once you’re at home, check the label on the inside package to be sure you have the right medicine and that the lid and seal are not broken. Third, check the color, shape, size, and smell. If you notice anything unusual, talk to a pharmacist or other health care professional before using it.

ALSO READ: General Treatment of Poisoning