Monday on DelmarvaLife, we learned more about the Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of OxyContin for certain children. The FDA approved the powerful painkiller for children ages 11-16. The FDA says children can be prescribed OxyContin only if they need long-term pain relief and they have no other options. The drug will be used for young patients with cancer, trauma and those recovering from surgery.
Some pediatric doctors have expressed support for the decision, but there are also many concerns. Dae Yim, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist with Peninsula Regional Medical Center discussed the dangers of addiction. He says there are certain steps parents need to take when administering medicine, of any kind, to their children:
- look at and follow labels
- if you give a child medicine, reassess their situation in an hour or two
- watch for any adverse reactions to the medication
If you have any questions or concerns, it’s best to speak with your doctor.