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Use of over-the-counter medicines for young children in Australia
journal contribution
posted on 2010-01-01, 00:00 authored by M Trajanovska, Elizabeth ManiasElizabeth Manias, N Cranswick, L JohnstonAIM: To describe over-the-counter (OTC) medicine use by Australian parents for children aged birth to 24 months; types of medicines used and indications for use. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of parents was conducted using a self-administered over-the-counter medicine use questionnaire. A total of 640 questionnaires were distributed to parents of children who attended a hospital outpatient clinic, maternal and child health centre, or a childcare service in Melbourne, Australia. RESULTS: A total of 325 questionnaires were completed (50.1%). Of these, 98.2% of parents had reportedly purchased at least one OTC medicine for their child in the previous 12 months. The most commonly purchased medicines were: paracetamol (acetaminophen) (95.9%), choline salicylate (47.3%), ibuprofen (36.4%), and cough and cold products (46.7%). Paracetamol was commonly used for a high temperature (82.4%) and non-specific pain (62.3%). Over 40% of parents had used cough and cold products to treat cold and flu symptoms. Nineteen (6.1%) parents had used OTC medicines to induce sleep or settle their child. CONCLUSIONS: Most parents had used at least one OTC medicine to manage childhood symptoms. Of concern is that over 40% of parents had used cough and cold products for their young child, despite a lack of evidence surrounding their efficacy. In order to minimise risks associated with OTC medicine use, particularly cough and cold products, health-care providers need to continue the provision of current evidence-based information to parents regarding safe and appropriate use of medicines for their child.
History
Journal
Journal of paediatrics and child healthVolume
46Issue
1-2Season
Jan/Feb 2010Pagination
5 - 9Publisher
WileyLocation
Chichester, Eng.Publisher DOI
ISSN
1034-4810eISSN
1440-1754Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2009, The AuthorsUsage metrics
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