Keep Track of When you Give Medicine

By Stacie Lampkin, PharmD | November 13, 2023
Contents

    Keep Track of When you Give Medicine

    Last update: August 12, 2024

    Why it’s important to keep track of when you give medicine

    A common cause of medicine errors at home is forgetting if you gave a kid their medicine.

    Forgetting if you gave a medicine can cause you to accidentally give an extra dose of medicine. Also, you may skip a dose because you can’t remember if the medicine has been given.

     

    When multiple people have to give medicine to kids, it can be even more confusing. Everyone should keep track of when a medicine has been given, so everyone knows if someone else gave the medicine or did not give the medicine.

    Tips to help you keep track of when you gave a medicine

    Create a medicine schedule or medicine calendar

    Example calendar method 1: Print out a calendar and add the medicine name and times into the calendar.Example Medicine Calendar Method 1

    Method 1: Print out a calendar and add the medicine name and times into the calendar.

    Example calendar method 2: Create columns on a piece of paper or a whiteboard. Write the dates and times that the medicine must be given in the columns.Example Medicine Calendar Method 2

    Method 2: Create columns on a piece of paper or a whiteboard. Write the dates and times that the medicine must be given in the columns.

    Example medicine calendar method 3: Create rows with dates in the top row. Underneath, create rows for each medicine and include the time that the medicine needs to be given.Example Medicine Calendar Method 3

    Method 3: Create rows with dates in the top row. Underneath, create rows for each medicine and include the time that the medicine needs to be given.

    Method 3 is the best method for when a kid is taking more than one medicine.

    Put the medicine schedule where everyone can see it. Cross off the correct date and time after you give the medicine.

    Use a Pill Box

    Using a pill box works for medicines that are pills such as tablets or capsules. The pill box should be stored up and away from the reach of kids. Most pill boxes are not child proof nor child safe. Kids in your house can accidentally get into the pill box if it is not stored safely.

    Use tooktake reminder labels

    Tooktake labels stick onto the medicine bottle and have tabs you remove when the medicine has been given. Go to tooktake.com to find the label that works best for your kid’s medicine.

    Share with a friend. Print out and ask your kid's healthcare team more about this topic.

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    Posted in All Topics, For Parents, How to Give Medicine