2007-01-16 11:52:26 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Because their bodies are smaller.
2007-01-16 11:56:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Children react differently to medications than adults do. For example, did you know that Wellbutrin (an antidepressant for adults) works wonders to help with hyperactivity? Most drugs are not labeled specifically for children because testing hasn't been done, but there are a lot of medications used in children with caution. And it isn't just because their bodies are smaller and because they metabolize things differently. I have seen a child as young as 7 on 3x the amount of Zyprexa that an 18 yr old was getting! But it was needed and the two reacted differently to it. Before you give your child any medication labeled for an adult, I would check with your pediatrician first as they would recommended the safest dosage.
2007-01-16 20:45:03 · answer #2 · answered by kaliluna 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some medicines are okay for children--such as antibiotics for infection, tylenol, some cough syrups, allergy meds, asthma meds, etc.
Years ago, children were given baby aspirin--now even teenagers are not supposed to take aspirin due to a syndrome that killed some young people.
They know a lot more then they did years ago--and learned the hard way that some medicines can harm children--or even kill them. Doctors need to be very careful what they prescribe, and parents need to be very careful in what they buy over-the-counter for their child.
In other words, it's better to be safe than sorry.
2007-01-16 20:07:13 · answer #3 · answered by Holiday Magic 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The medication is too strong for these little people, that it could hospitalize them. Children's medication is pretty much extremely diluted adult meds. The proper testing hasn't been done on it. It's done per weight of person.
Unless you want to end up in the hospital, I'd advice that you're careful with what you give young children.
2007-01-16 20:00:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because as you grow older the horomones and chemicals in your body change from what they were when you were a child. Some adult medicidnes given to an undeveloped child can result in horrible side-effects. Depression mediciine is a good example-given to adults it helps to cure the symptoms of depression. Given to children it causes increased rates of suicide.
2007-01-17 09:08:07 · answer #5 · answered by cutie pie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of their weight and metabolism, among other things. For them to take adult medicine would be like an average person drinking a quart of liquor --the body, nerves and brain could not handle it.
2007-01-16 20:00:54 · answer #6 · answered by beez 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because their body is smaller and an adult dosage could kill them or make them very sick. Their body cannot get rid of excess medicine they way an adult body can as their organs and systems are not fully developed.
2007-01-16 19:57:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are miniature adults. Children and have smaller bodies - adult medications are stronger than their little bodies can stand.
Adult meds (Strong) are made for adult and children meds (Weak) are made for children but both are sufficient and effective for each.
2007-01-16 20:02:01 · answer #8 · answered by Dale 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
IT WOULD BE LIKE GIVING THEM AN OVERDOSE BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE, WEIGHT, AND OVERALL HEALTH
2007-01-16 20:01:44 · answer #9 · answered by joyce a 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it may knock them out, plus they usually want liquid meds.
2007-01-16 19:56:22 · answer #10 · answered by sunflare63 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋