Dosing instructions for children’s OTC medicines potentially dangerous

The Los Angeles Times (12/1, Roan) reports that, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “many over-the-counter, liquid medications meant for children contain dosing instructions and measuring cups or droppers that rarely match each other and could confuse even the most careful parent or caretaker.” As a result, “this could easily lead to under- or over-dosing, with potentially dangerous consequences, researchers said.”

Our recommendation. If you you have questions, call your doctor. You can also talk to the the manufacturer for clarification. Most have 1-800 numbers on the label to help guide you.