There are many preparations and remedies that can be purchased without prescriptions
which claim to relieve all sorts of minor aches and pains, cold symptoms, irregularities,
sleeplessness, indigestion, stress, and diet problems. Adults and youths are being
influenced by media advertising (television, radio, magazines, and newspapers) to believe
that any pain can be relieved, whether physical, mental, or emotional, by the use of
over-the-counter drugs.
The shelves of pharmacies, supermarkets, and convenience stores are stocked with these
products.
Before stocking the home medicine cabinet with over-the-counter drugs, serious
consideration should be given to protecting children. Recommendations are:
- non-prescription remedies are drugs, and children should be taught this
- non-prescription drugs should not be taken by or given to children unless suggested by a
physician
- a child should not be rewarded for taking medicine
- medicine should never be misrepresented as candy to entice the child to take it
- alternatives to taking a pill should be considered, such as taking a nap
- study the contents of any over-the-counter drug for allergenic substances
- no prescription or over-the-counter drugs should be taken by children without the
parents' knowledge
- children could begin drug experimentation with stimulants, depressants, codeine, cough
medicines, and caffeine pills taken from the family medicine cabinet
- the reasons for taking medications should be discussed with children
- medications should be kept under parental control and limited to a physician's
instructions
