19 Jun When Medicine Harms: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Everyday drugs like paracetamol are sending kids to hospital — here’s how to keep yours safe
Most of us have paracetamol in the cupboard. Maybe an old antibiotic or a half-used bottle of cough syrup. But did you know that nearly 100 Australian children end up in emergency departments every day because of medicine-related harm?
It’s a worrying number — and one that’s largely preventable, according to the latest Medicine Safety report from the University of South Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
Common medicines, serious consequences
The report reveals that everyday medicines — like paracetamol and antidepressants — are the most common causes of harm. Children can accidentally swallow too much, take the wrong dose, or react in unexpected ways.
Some key facts:
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Around 93 children go to hospital every day due to medicine-related problems — half of these could have been avoided.
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Seven children a day are taken to emergency for accidental poisonings from medicines; three are admitted to hospital.
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More than 120,000 children under 14 have a negative reaction to medicine over a 6-month period — and nearly one-third of these are aged four or younger.
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In 2022–23 alone, over 7,000 children and teens were admitted to hospital because of medicine poisoning.
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The annual cost to our health system? At least $130 million.
Why are children so vulnerable?
According to lead researcher Dr Imaina Widagdo, the issue comes down to two main things: children’s bodies are still developing, and many medicines aren’t specifically tested for use in kids.
“Medicines are made to help — and they often do — but children aren’t just small adults,” Dr Widagdo says.
“They can react differently, and often we’re relying on guesswork when it comes to dosage and safety because the medicine hasn’t been trialled with children.”
The recent Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) safety alert on Risperidone is a perfect example — incorrect dosing led to several hospitalisations of children.
What parents can do to keep kids safe
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Store medicines safely
Keep all medicines locked away and out of reach of children — even everyday pain relief or vitamins. -
Check doses carefully
Follow dosing instructions precisely. Never guess or ‘round up’ a dose, especially if the medicine wasn’t prescribed for your child. -
Avoid sharing medications
What works for one child may be harmful to another — don’t reuse old prescriptions or give siblings the same medicine. -
Watch for side effects
If your child reacts strangely after taking a medicine, report it to the TGA (Australia’s medicine safety regulator) — it helps improve safety for everyone. -
Ask questions
If you’re unsure about a medicine, dose, or interaction, ask your pharmacist or doctor before giving it to your child.
“We all play a role in keeping kids safe,” says Dr Widagdo.
“With more children living with chronic health issues, it’s vital we treat medicine as we would any powerful tool — with care, attention, and respect.”
In an emergency:
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Call 000 immediately if your child is unwell or has taken the wrong medication.
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For poison advice, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 — it’s available 24/7.
