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Medicine safety

What should I do if my child takes too much medicine?

Treat any suspected overdose as urgent, even if your child seems fine. Call your local poison centre or emergency number immediately and have the medicine packaging ready.

Deze informatie is uitsluitend bedoeld als algemene richtlijn en vormt geen medisch advies. Raadpleeg altijd een gekwalificeerde zorgprofessional voor persoonlijke medische vragen. Bel in geval van nood uw lokale alarmnummer.

Accidental overdose is a real risk with children, whether from finding medicine left within reach or from a dosing mistake. Some medicines, including paracetamol, can cause serious harm even when a child appears completely well at first, because symptoms may be delayed. For this reason, never wait to see if symptoms develop.

If you suspect your child has taken too much of any medicine, contact your local poison information centre or emergency number straight away. Have the medicine container with you so you can tell them the product name, strength, how much was taken, and when. Do not make your child vomit unless specifically instructed to by a professional.

Call your emergency number immediately if your child is drowsy, having difficulty breathing, having a seizure, or is unresponsive. To prevent overdoses, store all medicines locked away and out of sight, always measure doses carefully, and keep a written note of what you have given and when.

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