Health Topics for Child Health and Development

UI Children's Hospital

UI Family Care Centers

Divisions Within the Department of Pediatrics

Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Disorders

Medicines in your home: can they poison your child?

Many accidental poisonings in children involve drugs that are prescribed for their parents and grandparents. Accidents can occur in many ways:

• children can eat drugs from uncapped or loosely capped bottles
• prescription bottles left out by visiting relatives or friends can catch the attention of children
• lost pills found spilled or on the floor can be swallowed
• one child can feed drugs to another child from a container found in an easy to reach spot or
• drugs left on nightstands, in a purse, or the refrigerator can attract a child's curiosity

All over-the-counter, or prescribed, medications and vitamin supplements, are potentially dangerous for children. A normal dose for an adult may be toxic to a child. An overdose of a children's medicine can also be harmful. Over-the counter diet pills, for example, can be lethal to children.

Acetaminophen and aspirin are frequent sources of accidental poisoning in young children. Anti-depressant drugs are toxins to the cardiac and central nervous systems. Teens with behavior problems or depression are often given anti-depressant drugs. They should not be given more than a week's supply and usage should be monitored by their parents.

Some children's vitamins look like candy or cartoon characters. These vitamins do not seem like medicine to children. Iron-containing products are a big problem when it comes to childhood poisoning. Iron tablets, often prescribed for pregnant mothers, taken by toddlers or infants can cause serious injury or death.

Suspect poisoning if you find an opened or spilled bottle of pills. Do not attempt to treat the child or make the child vomit until directed to do so by your healthcare provider. If you do suspect poisoning, remain calm. Call the nearest poison control center or the emergency department by using 911. Post these telephone numbers near every telephone in your home. Be sure the babysitter knows what to do in case of an emergency.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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