7 Most Dangerous Medications for Children

Are you on medication for diabetes or high blood pressure? Is it second nature for you to pop a pill whenever you feel a slight ache or pain?

If you have small children in your home, or if they visit your home, remember to keep your medicine out of their reach because they can pose serious consequences if accidentally ingested by your young ones!

Data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers showed that in 2008, about half of some 2.5 million toxic ingestions occurred in children younger than 6, with toddlers between the ages of 18 months to three years at the highest risk.

In 2004 and 2005, adverse drug reactions were the third leading cause of non-fatal injuries among infants treated in hospital ERs. In a child’s fragile body, just one pill can be deadly, Dr. Joseph Mercola warns.

Turn your back for just one second and your child could be putting something in his/her mouth that can be fatal.

Here are the 7 most dangerous medications for children that may be lurking in your home:

1. Aspirin and salicylates – cause agitation, coma, lethargy, nausea, seizures, vomiting, and may be fatal. Salicylates, which are used to relieve muscle pain, are very toxic to children in large doses, particularly those in liquid form. One teaspoon of Oil of Wintergreen (which has a pleasant smell that is attractive to toddlers) is the equivalent of almost 90 baby aspirins – a life threatening dose for a child.

2. Blood pressure patches, eye drops, and nasal sprays (Afrin, Clear Eyes, Clonidine) – can cause coma, dangerously low heart rate, lethargy, and low blood pressure. As little as 6 ml of these solutions can lead to a coma and serious consequences.  

3. Depression drugs (Elabil, Tofranil, Wellbutrin, Zyban)  – can cause coma, heart arrhythmia, seizures, and unresponsiveness. Antidepressants, which are used to treat chronic pain, depression, migraines, and as a tool to quit smoking, are the second highest cause of death from poisoning in children under the age of 6. Symptoms can be delayed for up to six hours.

4. Diabetes drugs (Glipizide, Glyburide) – can cause coma, confusion, dangerously low blood sugar, headaches, seizures, sleepiness, and death in some cases. Diabetes medications are among the most commonly prescribed drugs and are dangerous for children who are not diabetic. They may not display symptoms until one to six hours later. The symptoms may last as long as a day. Giving glucose to children who accidentally ingest diabetes drugs can save their lives.

5. Heart pills (Cardizem, Cartia, Norvasc) – can cause dangerously low blood pressure, low heart rate, and seizures. Also called calcium channel blockers, children who ingest these blood pressure medications usually show symptoms between one to five hours after they take the pill. However, in the case of extended release pills, the symptoms may be delayed up to 14 hours, which will make it even more difficult to figure out why the child is ill.

6. Muscle Rubs (Ben Gay, Tiger Balm, Vicks VapoRub) – can cause coma, delirium, rapid development of seizures, and death. These products all contain camphor, which is very dangerous because it can react adversely within 10-20 minutes. Children can go into seizures without any warning. Even one teaspoon can be lethal. Call 911 immediately if you detect even the faintest trace of camphor on your child’s breath, Dr. Mercola advises. 

7. Prescription painkillers (Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin) – can cause lethargy, drowsiness, cessation of breathing, which can lead to death. Opiates and other painkillers were the leading cause of death due to accidental ingestion of medication in 2004. Toddlers who ingest two 5 mg tablets can become severely ill within an hour. Giant doses of sustained-release versions of these pills can be fatal for children.
“The overdependence on drugs has exposed children to the dangers of poisoning”, Mercola laments. Don’t leave any pills lying around for your child’s sake. If you do notice your child has taken any medication that he/she shouldn’t have, please call your local Poison Control Center or 911 immediately.