There are many medications on the market today that are useful for treating illnesses and disorders in children. Some of these, however, contain a long list of potentially severe side effects that could negatively affect your child’s life. Before starting your child on a medication, talk to your doctor about all of the potential adverse effects and alternative medication options. If your child has fallen ill or experienced adverse side effects from a risky medication, consider contacting a side effect attorney to determine if you have grounds to seek compensation.

Identifying Problem Medications

There are many drugs that are administered to children that have only mild side effects. Others, however, are more risky and have much more severe effects. Some medications can even cause permanent neurological damage to a child. To determine whether a medication is a health risk, consider looking on the label for a list of side effects. If a drug contains a black box warning issued by the FDA, it has been identified as a high risk drug. Also, consider looking up information about the drug on the FDA MedWatch page, which contains reports and warnings for many different medications.

One type of medication that has been identified as a risk to children is antiemetic medication. Antiemetic drugs help to reduce nausea and vomiting by interfering with the body’s dopamine system. However, by blocking dopamine receptors, this type of drug can put children at risk of developing a number of serious side effects. These include:

• Tardive dyskinesia, a permanent neurological disorder
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a treatable but life-threatening disorder
• Akathisia or restlessness

Seeking Help

If your child is taking an antiemetic drug, consider discontinuing use and talking to your doctor about alternative solutions that may be available. Any adverse symptoms that your child experiences while on this type of medication should be reported to a medical professional immediately. If your child has suffered from adverse effects associated with antiemetic drugs, a side effect lawyer can help you determine if you have grounds to initiate a lawsuit for compensation.

For More Information

To learn more about child medication risks and what to do if your child has been hurt by a medication, please visit the website of the Reglan lawsuit attorneys of Williams Kherkher today.

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