Prescribing medicines in pediatrics is different than prescribing medicines for adults. In this episode, we discuss what you need to know before prescribing medications for the pediatric population, including calculating dose for the child’s weight, choosing IV vs PO medications, and other considerations.

1)    References to look up pediatric drug doses and frequencies.

2)    Calculating weight-based doses

3)    Maximum daily doses

4)    Different formulations of medications

5)    Prescribing oral medicines

1.   Pills vs Liquid
2.   Consider taste
3.   Use the most concentrated suspension
4.   Use milliliters instead of spoonfuls

6)    What if the medicine is not available in liquid form

7)    Options if oral medications are not easily available in liquid form.

8)    Medicine dosing frequency – use the least frequent option

9)    Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen

Resources/Links:

Up to date: uptodate.com  

Harriet Lane Handbook: https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9780323876988?role=student

Lexi-Comp: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/lexicomp/id313401238

Links:

https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9780323876988?role=student

About the Speaker:

Host: Rachel Moon, MD – Rachel Moon, MD is the Harrison Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics at UVA Health Children's. She is an internationally recognized researcher in sudden unexpected infant death and chairs the AAP Task Force on SIDS. She is also the Chief of General Pediatrics at UVA.

Clerkship Ready: Pediatrics is a podcast aimed at medical students doing their clinical clerkship in Pediatrics. The views expressed are the speakers' own and do not constitute medical advice.