Medicine Cabinet Checklist for Children

Have you taken a peek in your medicine cabinet lately? If not, now is a great time to take inventory to make sure you have the most necessary and useful items on hand for your kids and that all products are within the optimal recommended expiration dates.

Here is an infographic of the medicine cabinet items you should have in your home to manage basic first-aid or illnesses for children.

6 Items Not to Keep in Your Medicine Cabinet:

1. Cough medicine with dextromethorphan – Not shown to work in kids (especially under age 6); has the potential for serious side effects.
2. Decongestants – Not recommended by the Food and Drug Administration for children under age six.
3. Aspirin – Found to sometimes cause a serious disease called Reye syndrome. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead.
4. Anti-diarrheal medicines – Using these may prolong intestinal infections in children.
5. Gas-relief drops – These are harmless but don’t always work.
6. Hydrogen peroxide – Not recommended for cleansing cuts, since it may cause tissue damage. Use soap and water instead.

If you have questions or concerns about any medication, reach out to your child's health care provider for help. 

About the Author

Suresh Nagappan, MD specializes in Pediatrics with Cone Health Medical Group.