Medication Errors – Double Dosing Twice as Much: Not Twice as Good

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The most common error people make with their medicines is taking – or giving – a double dose. Mom gives a dose to a child; dad or the babysitter comes along and gives it again. Or, someone gets distracted and takes a prescription medicine once – and then again.

A double dose of some medications may not be a major problem, while doubling up on others can cause potentially serious outcomes. Some common classes of medications that may be very serious in a double dose scenario include heart medications (e.g. for blood pressure), medications used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), diabetes medications, and pain medications, among others.

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Anyone who gives or takes medicine needs a system for keeping track. Here are a few tips.

• Make a plan. Decide who will be giving a child each dose of medicine. This will prevent the child from getting a medication dose from each parent by mistake.
• Keep a log. This is a bit of extra trouble, BUT it can be really useful when more than one person cares for a child. The log stays with the medicine. Every time someone gives a dose, it’s marked on the log. This can be a good tip for adults keeping track of their own medicines, too.
• Set yourself an alarm. This will help you take or administer medications at the correct time every day.
• Consider using a pill sorter. Many kinds are available, including child-resistant ones. By looking at the compartments, you can see if you took a particular dose of medicine or not. If you decide to use a pill sorter, it is very important to make sure it is not easily accessible by children.
• Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider. He or she can help you figure out a system that should work for you.

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If you make a mistake with medicines, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool for guidance or call Poison Control right away at 1-800-222-1222. Both are free, confidential, and available for you 24/7/365.

Rose Ann Gould Soloway, RN, BSN, MSEd, DABAT emerita Clinical Toxicologist

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