Docfan Academy

Some people need extra care with medicines. Their bodies handle medicines differently, or the medicine can affect someone else, such as an unborn baby. A medicine that is safe for a healthy adult is not automatically safe for everyone. This lesson gives general principles only. It has no doses and does not replace the prescriber, the label or the current national guideline.

Four groups, one habit

The habit is simple: ask who the medicine is for, and check before you give.

• Children. A child is not a small adult. The right medicine and amount depend on age and weight. Use child-specific products with the measuring device that comes with them. Never work out a child's amount from an adult pack. Ask the age and, where relevant, the weight, and refer if you are unsure.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Some medicines can reach the baby through the placenta or the breast milk. Always ask whether the woman is pregnant, could be pregnant or is breastfeeding. Herbal or "natural" products are not automatically safe. Check a reliable reference or ask the prescriber.
• Older adults. They often take several medicines, can be more sensitive to side effects and may have reduced kidney function. Ask what else they take. Watch for confusion, dizziness or falls after a new medicine, and make labels easy to read.
• Kidney or liver problems. The kidneys and liver help clear many medicines from the body. When they work poorly, a medicine can build up. Always ask about kidney or liver disease before you recommend anything.

When to refer or ask the prescriber

• You are not sure the medicine is safe for this person.
• The prescription looks unusual for the person's age, weight, pregnancy or kidney or liver condition.
• The person takes many medicines or has a long-term illness.
• The person looks unwell, or a symptom is new or severe.

Do not fill the gap with a guess. A phone call takes two minutes.