Questions to Ask Your Doctor When Medicating a Child

When your child is sick or diagnosed with a psychological issue there are important questions that are always left lingering after leaving the doctors office. While we think we come prepare, there is always that one question that a parent forgot to ask the doctor.

The first thing a parent needs to know is that asking a busy doctor questions is not bugging them or being overbearing. The wrong dosage or not medicating a child properly can have grave results; literally. I have compiled questions in a small notebook in my purse for this purpose. Because the doctor is currently regulating medication for my son, I need to ask a variety of questions and if they are not written down; I will forget.

Medication:
The first thing a parent needs to know is the name of the medication the doctor is prescribing, why they are prescribing it, and how will it help the child. I have found that my insurance will not cover name-brands sometimes so I always make sure to ask if the medication is available in name brand and generic type in addition to asking if there is any difference between the two. If there is a generic medication available, than it is good to ask what the name is so you can research about it anyways. It is also good to know if it is okay to switch between a name-brand and generic medications; just in case there is an insurance issue or reaction.

Administering Medication to a Child

Giving a child medication is no job to be taken lightly and if the child is going to be on medication for an extended period of time than it is important to ask a few more questions such as what the proper dosage is for the child and if the child's dosage will be changing as they grow. It may also be a really good idea to find out if the medication comes in chewable form or liquid form so it will be easier to administer the medication to the child. In addition, a new fad that is available at most pharmacies is being able to add flavors for a minimal price which is something to consider when choosing liquid.

A parent also needs to know how many times a day the child will be taking the medication. It is important to also find out whether the medication is best taken on a full or empty stomache to alleviate possible stomache irritation.

If the child has to take the medication more than once, will it need to be administered at school (and this is IMPORTANT). If the medication is required to be taken at school, have the doctor write a note to the school nurse informing her of this. Do not wait and take the medication to the school without it because school nurses will not administer medication without doctor's consent. In addition to having the note drawn up, when the medication is filled make sure to ask the pharmacy for a bottle for home use and a bottle for school. This will also save you time and frustration.

Cold Turkey or Weening

When a child is on medication regularly than it is important to know the ramifications of taking the child off the medication if need be. You need to know if there will be withdraws, if the child can be taken off the medication cold turkey or if they should weened off of it. Another important factor to know is that pediatricians can only administer up to a certain dosage when it comes to narcotics at which time they will refer the child out to a psychologist who will be able to administer the dosage necessary. It may be a good preventative measure to find out if you will be referred out eventually. If so, you need to know who they will refer you to so you can do research on the doctor before the referral comes. Also, if you are referred out, a parent needs to know if their child should have lab tests done before administering harsher medication to ensure the child is in complete health.

Side Effects

Side effects can be ugly and scary things when a child is suffering from them. The pharmacy will give a handout with the medication that lists all of the side effects of the medication and what to look for. However, what may seem minimal to some people may not be to the parents of the child who is suffering. If you notice that your child has side effects, it does not hurt to call the doctor and inform them of the side effects. If you are in doubt, or the side effects are severe, than you should seek emergency assistance at the hospital. Do not be afraid to take your child to the emergency room. It is better to be safe and over dramatic than it is to lose a child because we weren't sure.

If you feel like you are a burden to your doctor, and do not want to ask them questions, than immediately find another doctor. Those who are truly concerned with their patients will take time to explain any and all concerns that the parent has. Also remember this when you are waiting in a waiting room for an extended period of time. These things cannot be rushed and know if you are sitting for a while; your doctor could be one of those who are quite attentive.

Do not be afraid to ask questions. A few simple words that some may find irritating may just save your child someday.

When your child is sick or diagnosed with a psychological issue there are important questions that are always left lingering after leaving the doctors office. While we think we come prepare, there is always that one question that a parent forgot to ask the doctor.

The first thing a parent needs to know is that asking a busy doctor questions is not bugging them or being overbearing. The wrong dosage or not medicating a child properly can have grave results; literally. I have compiled questions in a small notebook in my purse for this purpose. Because the doctor is currently regulating medication for my son, I need to ask a variety of questions and if they are not written down; I will forget.

Medication:
The first thing a parent needs to know is the name of the medication the doctor is prescribing, why they are prescribing it, and how will it help the child. I have found that my insurance will not cover name-brands sometimes so I always make sure to ask if the medication is available in name brand and generic type in addition to asking if there is any difference between the two. If there is a generic medication available, than it is good to ask what the name is so you can research about it anyways. It is also good to know if it is okay to switch between a name-brand and generic medications; just in case there is an insurance issue or reaction.

Administering Medication to a Child

Giving a child medication is no job to be taken lightly and if the child is going to be on medication for an extended period of time than it is important to ask a few more questions such as what the proper dosage is for the child and if the child's dosage will be changing as they grow. It may also be a really good idea to find out if the medication comes in chewable form or liquid form so it will be easier to administer the medication to the child. In addition, a new fad that is available at most pharmacies is being able to add flavors for a minimal price which is something to consider when choosing liquid.

A parent also needs to know how many times a day the child will be taking the medication. It is important to also find out whether the medication is best taken on a full or empty stomache to alleviate possible stomache irritation.

If the child has to take the medication more than once, will it need to be administered at school (and this is IMPORTANT). If the medication is required to be taken at school, have the doctor write a note to the school nurse informing her of this. Do not wait and take the medication to the school without it because school nurses will not administer medication without doctor's consent. In addition to having the note drawn up, when the medication is filled make sure to ask the pharmacy for a bottle for home use and a bottle for school. This will also save you time and frustration.

Cold Turkey or Weening

When a child is on medication regularly than it is important to know the ramifications of taking the child off the medication if need be. You need to know if there will be withdraws, if the child can be taken off the medication cold turkey or if they should weened off of it. Another important factor to know is that pediatricians can only administer up to a certain dosage when it comes to narcotics at which time they will refer the child out to a psychologist who will be able to administer the dosage necessary. It may be a good preventative measure to find out if you will be referred out eventually. If so, you need to know who they will refer you to so you can do research on the doctor before the referral comes. Also, if you are referred out, a parent needs to know if their child should have lab tests done before administering harsher medication to ensure the child is in complete health.

Side Effects

Side effects can be ugly and scary things when a child is suffering from them. The pharmacy will give a handout with the medication that lists all of the side effects of the medication and what to look for. However, what may seem minimal to some people may not be to the parents of the child who is suffering. If you notice that your child has side effects, it does not hurt to call the doctor and inform them of the side effects. If you are in doubt, or the side effects are severe, than you should seek emergency assistance at the hospital. Do not be afraid to take your child to the emergency room. It is better to be safe and over dramatic than it is to lose a child because we weren't sure.

If you feel like you are a burden to your doctor, and do not want to ask them questions, than immediately find another doctor. Those who are truly concerned with their patients will take time to explain any and all concerns that the parent has. Also remember this when you are waiting in a waiting room for an extended period of time. These things cannot be rushed and know if you are sitting for a while; your doctor could be one of those who are quite attentive.

Do not be afraid to ask questions. A few simple words that some may find irritating may just save your child someday.