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A Prescription Primer
A Guide to Commonly Prescribed Medications for Children
By Alesia Hanson, Pharmacist
Ear infections are very common in children and most kids have had at least one. One medication commonly prescribed for pain associated with middle ear infection is Auralgan®. It is an eardrop and is available in generic. This medication seldom causes adverse effects. Cortisporin Otic® (neomycin, polymixin B, and hydrocortisone) is also used for pain relief, but contains an antibiotic, too. If the eardrum is perforated, it should be used with caution because it may damage hearing. It may cause burning or itching. There are other antibiotic eardrops used for infection of the outer ear, a middle ear infection with a perforated eardrum or a middle ear infection with tubes. The most commonly used medications are Floxin® and Cipro HC®. Neither is available in generic. Cipro HC® also provides some pain relief. Both Floxin® and Cipro HC® can cause itching and, if the eardrum is perforated, changes in taste. When one child contracts pinkeye, it can be painful and spread rapidly. Two of the most common medications used to treat pinkeye are Garamycin® and Polytrim®. They are both antibiotics and are available in generic. They can sting when first instilled and are usually used for a couple of days after the eye is clear. Eye drops should not be kept on hand at home if they have been open for more than about 30 to 60 days – they will go bad. Strong preservatives cannot be used in ophthalmic preparations.
Oral antibiotics are probably th most commonly used medication in children. When prescribing for an ear infection, strep throat or skin infection, physicians often start with the penicillins. Amoxicillin and Augmentin® are the most common. They are available as capsule/tablet, chewable or suspensions. Amoxicillin is available in generic in most strengths. The suspension does not have to be refrigerated, but tastes better cold and can be given with or without food. Amoxicillin is good for 14 days once it is mixed. It can cause stomach upset and sometimes a rash. Augmentin® contains amoxicillin, but also has another ingredient that makes the amoxicillin work better. It is not available in generic. Augmentin® suspension must be refrigerated, according to the manufacturer. If it is left at room temperature for more than four hours, it may lose some of its potency. It is only good for 10 days once it is mixed. Augmentin® should be given with food because it usually causes stomach upset and diarrhea. An allergy to penicillin usually manifests as hives. If this occurs, the medication should be stopped and the physician contacted.
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