Children Act Fast...So Do Poisons! (continued)
Contributed by: Jessica Koerner, Pharm.D.
                      Community Pharmacy Resident

Poison Prevention Tips

• Store Poisons Safely
  
• Store medicines and household products locked up, where children cannot see or reach them.
  
• Store poisons in their original containers.
  
• Use child-resistant packaging.  But remember--Nothing is child-proof!!
  
• Use Poisons Safely
  
• Read the label.  Follow the directions on medicines and products.
  
• Are children around?  Take the product or medicine with you to answer the door or the phone.
  

• Lock products and medicines up immediately after using them.
  
• Is it medicine?  Call it medicine, not candy.  Children can easily be confused with medicine and candy look-a-likes.
  
• Children learn by imitation.  Take your medicines where children can't watch.
  
• Teach Children to Ask First
  
• Poisons can look like food or drink.  Teach children to ask an adult before eating or drinking anything.
  

States is poisoned, and 92 percent of all poison exposures occur in the home.  By following the prevention tips provided above, we can do our part to protect our loved ones from unintentional poisonings.  If you have any questions regarding poison prevention you can ask your physician or pharmacist, or for more information on Poison Prevention Week visit www.poisonprevention.org. Be sure to place the Poison Control Center phone number, 1-800-222-1222, near phones in your home.

Reye's Syndrome: Why Children Should Avoid Aspirin & Aspirin Related Products
  Contributed by: Brian D. Fink, Pharm.D.  Candidate
                        KU School of Pharmacy

What is Reye's Syndrome?
Reye's syndrome is a potentially fatal illness that is primarily seen in children younger than 15 years of age, however all people are at risk of developing this serious condition.  Mild to severe permanent brain damage is possible, especially in infants.  The most common characteristics associated with Reye's Syndrome are progressive central nervous system damage, liver damage, vomiting, and low blood sugar levels.  It was reported that of the cases of Reye's Syndrome in 1996 there was a 52% death rate. 

How do you get Reye's Syndrome?
Reye's syndrome most generally follows a viral infection.  The two most common viral infections that Reye's Syndrome is associated with is influenza or the virus causing chickenpox.  Due to its association with influenza, a significant number of the yearly cases are documented during the annual flu season, primarily the months of January, February, and March.  An unfortunate, yet easily avoided, cause of Reye's Syndrome in children and adolescents is the use of aspirin or products containing non-aspirin salicylates (i.e.

bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)) while the child has the viral infection. 

What if you don't know whether or not your child has a viral infection?
The safest approach is to always be very conservative in avoiding aspirin containing products when you suspect that your child is not feeling well.  A proper diagnosis of a viral infection must be made by seeing a physician and having the proper lab work done in the office.  In all cases, if a fever is present DO NOT use any aspirin containing products.  The safest alternative is Tylenol® given at an appropriate dose based on the child's age and/or weight.

How do you know what over-the-counter products to avoid?
Aspirin belongs to a category of medicines called the salicylates.  There are many over-the-counter medications that contain salicylates other than aspirin.  Some medication labels may use the words acetylsalicylate, acetylsalicylic acid, salicylic, salicylamide, phenyl salicylates, etc., instead of the word aspirin.  These products should also be avoided in

children under 19 years of age who have a fever-causing illness.  It should be noted that these products are available in a variety of forms such as tablets, suppositories, creams, ointments, and even liquids.  With the hundreds of choices today found in the over-the-counter section of pharmacies, it can be very confusing when trying to choose a safe product.  If you are uncertain as to whether or not a product is safe to use, your local pharmacist is always willing to answer any questions and help with proper product selection.  The following link provides in depth information regarding Reye's Syndrome as well as a list of over-the-counter and prescription medications that contain aspirin related products: www.reyessyndrome.org.