NPS medication

Question 1

Reasons that paediatric patients are at increased risk of medication misadventure

Answer 1

• determining the required dose of medicine involves calculations based on age, weight or body surface area
• there may not be a formulation (such as a dose form or concentration) suitable for use by a paediatric patient
• to administer a dose, measurement of a liquid formulation and/or dilution may be required, adding further complexity to administration
• medicines use in paediatrics is often ‘off-label’. This is when the medicine is prescribed for an indication, a route of administration or a patient group other than what is included in the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved Product Information
• as babies grow into infants and young children, changes in the way their bodies handle medicines can increase their susceptibility to experiencing an adverse effect