Here are some tips to help you and your child manage AEDs safely:
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Learn about your child's drug: when and how to give it, its side effects, and what to do and who to call in case of a severe reaction.
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Follow your child's prescription exactly. Make sure your child takes the right medicine, in the right dosage, at the right time. Some drugs need to be taken with food.
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Ask your child's doctor or pharmacist what to do if your child misses a dose.
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Never stop the medication suddenly; this can trigger life-threatening seizures. Any change in dosage must be approved by your child's doctor.
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Set up an automatic ordering schedule with your child's doctor and your pharmacy so that you never accidentally run out of medication.
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Check the medication when you pick it up at the pharmacy. If the pills look different from last time, check with the pharmacist to make sure that the right drug and the right dose was dispensed.
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Don't give your child any new medicine before talking with your child's doctor or reviewing with a pharmacist. Other medicines may interact with the prescribed AEDs. Make sure your pharmacist knows about all drugs your child is taking, including non-prescription, homeopathic, and herbal medications.
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Some medicines contain alcohol. Ask your pharmacist for alcohol-free medicines where possible. Do not give your child any alcohol.
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When travelling, make sure you have enough medication on hand. Carry a copy of the prescription with you.
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Store medication at the right temperature
, as specified by your pharmacist. Store all medications out of reach of children.
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If your child needs to take medication at school, you may need to meet with her teacher or school principal to arrange for medication to be given safely.
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Take your child to see her doctor for regular monitoring and blood tests.
Giving your child responsibility for her medication
If you think your child is old enough and mature enough, consider giving her some responsibility for taking her medication. You and your child's doctor can discuss the topic with your child.
The first step is to make sure your child understands the importance of taking her medication at the right time and in the right manner (with or without food).
If she seems to be having difficulty remembering to take her medication, work with her to find creative solutions. If several pills are to be taken at different times during the day, a daily pill box with several compartments may come in handy to keep the drugs organized and the schedule clear. A watch with an alarm may be useful to remind your child when to take her medication.
A few slip-ups are to be expected, especially in the early stages. Remember that these lapses are not a sign
of failure. Instead, try to treat them as opportunities to talk about and work through any problems your child is having. Let your child know that you have confidence in her ability to manage her medication, but that you are there to help if she needs it.