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Q. What should I ask my doctor if s/he wants to
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prescribe pain killers to my child?
A.
Every patient should ask questions when getting a new prescription. This is especially important when your doctor, dentist or other health care professional prescribes you or your child an opioid, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, or morphine. 1. Why does my child need this medication? Let your doctor know you aren’t looking for the fastest route to relief but one that provides the most benefit for the least risk. Be sure to tell about all medications that your child is taking, especially those prescribed to treat anxiety, sleeping problems, or seizures. Ask if there are non-opioid options to relieve the pain. Other options might work just as well or better, like physical therapy, behavioral therapy, alternative medicine, and non-opioid painkillers.
The number of muscles you use by taking one step. www.funfactz.com
150
The number of years it would take to drive a car to the sun.. www.funfactz.com
2. How can we reduce the risk of potential side effects? Remember that opioids are extremely powerful and stimulate the same brain centers as heroin. Share if there is a family history of addiction or if your child is dealing with a mental health issue such as depression, because the addiction risk increases. Alcohol use can cause serious side effects and may even be deadly. 3. What should we look for as far as side effects? Take medicine exactly as prescribed by the health care provider. Learn to identify serious side effects (such as excessive sleepiness or craving more of the medication) so you will know when to call a doctor or go to the hospital. Ask your pharmacist for a Medication Guide (paper handouts that come with many prescription medicines) for more information. 4. How should we store this and what should we do with leftover medications? If you have children at home—from a toddler to a teenager—consider a lockbox for your medications. Even one accidental dose of an opioid pain medicine meant for an adult can cause a fatal overdose in a child. Also, teenagers and others in the home or who are visiting may seek out opioid pain medicines for nonmedical use. They may look in bathroom medicine cabinets for a chance to steal these medicines. Dispose of expired or unused medications at permanent drop locations or drug take back events. The FDA has created a list of opioid pain medicines they recommend you flush down the toilet when no longer needed. That list and additional resources can be found at: www.ReduceRxAbuse.com.
40,000
The number of toilet related injuries in the U.S. per year. www.funfactz.com
30
The gallons of water that a thirsty camel can drink in 15 minutes. www.factsd.com
9
The weight in pounds of an elephant’s tooth. www.thefactsite.com
Information from fda.gov
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April 2017
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YC MAGAZINE
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www.wcprojectsuccess.org
10
The feet per second a fart travels. www.funfactz.com