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About Antibiotics

Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infection caused by bacteria. Doctors prescribe different antibiotics for different bacteria. It is important to take the full course of antibiotic treatment, even if you seem to be better, so that the infection clears up completely. If you do not complete the course, bacteria may continue to grow and develop resistance to the medicine. Stronger or different antibiotics are then needed to kill them. Antibiotics do not work against viruses that cause flu and colds. Viral infections generally resolve on their own. Antibiotics are very effective if you give the right dose to the right person at the right time for the right length of time

Problem Solving

Contact a GP or Pharmacist for advice if: • a rash, itching, swelling or breathing difficulties develop If you miss a dose, give/take it as soon as possible, but if it is close to the next due time, wait and give/take the normal dose then.

Ask your Pharmacist to...

• advise on disposing of unwanted/expired medicines • tell you anything you want to know about medicines • advise about any reactions to medicines you experience • advise on the safe storage of your family’s medicines • supply a proper medicine measure if required

Useful websites and phone numbers

Poisons Centre phone number: 0800 poison / 0800 764 766 Healthline incorporating the Well Child line: 0800 611 116 has a Registered Nurse available for advice 24 hours a day www.medsafe.govt.nz www.plunket.org.nz www.healthed.govt.nz/

Tips for giving medicine to children

Blow gently on a baby’s face and s/he will blink and swallow. Avoid mixing medicine in your baby’s bottle because if the bottle is not finished, the baby will not get the right dose. If you are using a syringe, squirt a little medicine inside the cheek where there are no bitter taste buds. If your child has an allergy to certain flavourings or colourings, ask your Pharmacist for more information. Let a child use a straw to sip liquid medicine up from a spoon. Give a ‘chaser’ of something the child likes, eg a teaspoon of chocolate sauce, or a reward such as a star or sticker. Let the child suck on an ice block to numb the taste buds before taking the medicine.

Remember... antibiotics don’t do colds and flu!

Get the child to hold his/her nose while taking the medicine in order to dull the sense of taste.

To prevent accidental poisoning

Check that the cap is tightly screwed on.

Store medicines

Storing medicines safely

Avoid giving aspirin during a viral illness to under 19’s unless supervised by a GP.

Don’t give aspirin to children under 12yrs.

Ask your Pharmacist about disposing of unwanted medicines.

A teaspoon is not the same measure as a 5 ml medicine spoon.

Do not call children’s medicines sweets or lollies.

Double check the label before giving medicine.

Read any information which comes with the medicine.

Use the medicine only for the person whose name is on the label.

Using all medicines safely

• Never dispose of medicines in the rubbish

• Never store medicines in a food or drink container

• ideally in a locked cupboard otherwise out of the sight and reach of children

• in a cool dry place, unless label instructions are different

• in their original container

It is important to complete the full course of treatment even if the infection seems to get better.

Use the medicine only for the person whose name is on the label.

To check a child resistant lid, twist back one turn after closing.

Use a different measure for each person to prevent cross-infection and wash it after use.

Use a proper medicine measure

Shake liquid medicine well before each dose.

Double check

Read the label every time you give/take the medicine.

Taking Antibiotic Medicines

• a measuring spoon or medicine measure for an adult

• a cylindrical dosing spoon for a child

• a dropper or syringe for a baby

• how long to use it for

• how to use it

• how much to use

• when to use it

• who the medicine is for

Remember... take the lot, no matter what!

PHARMAC would like to thank the Pharmacy Guild for the copy for this leaflet.

(Anti-B_cons_broc_5/07)

bug poster inside

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If in doubt check it out

the Wise Use of Antibiotics

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If in doubt check it out

the Wise Use of Antibiotics

your own bugs to colour and keep