Can there be any ill effects from a child accidentally overdosing on antibiotics?

Question

My 20 month old daughter has a chest cold for which her pediatrician prescribed an oral liquid antibiotic. Turns out the pharmacist typed the wrong dosing instructions on the label, and she was getting twice as much per dose as the doctor recommended. The pharmacy admits it was their error, so for about 4 days, my daughter has been getting a double dose of antibiotic.

What should I be looking for in terms of symptoms that may indicate she is being negatively affected by the over-dosing? I don't want to make a big deal of it if there is no harm done to my daughter. People are human and make mistakes.

Interesting that you said that, JB. We had just started giving her yogurt for breakfast about a week before, and she loves it!

Answer 1

The one main effect that I can think of is that you will kill the bacteria in her digestive track that helps her process food. You could feed her yogurt which would help to create a good environment for these bacteria to grow. If this only happened over a few day period, there should not be any long term effects.

Answer 2

It depends on what antibiotic. It ranges from more side effects like vomiting/nausea to liver and kidney failure.
If your daughter seems fine, she probably will be okay.

Answer 3

It may have killed some of the healthy bacteria in her system, so she should have yogurt with live cultures to help replace some of the bacteria.

Answer 4

I'd be calling her doctor, not asking on here. However, I don't think that will harm her.

Answer 5

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pharmacy-1407/antibiotics-overdose.htm

Answer 6

I think you should ask your doctor... Ill pray for her though.