Pharmacology

Question 1

When are normal drug absorption levels reached in a child?

Answer 1

6-8 months

Question 2

What physiological factors can affect drug absorption rates in children < 3 years old?

Answer 2

Reduced gastric acid

Delayed gastric emptying

Question 3

What are major problems that need to be considered when prescribing medication for children?

Answer 3

• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic differences
• The medication can have an effect on growth and development
• Children have specific pathologies that adults dont have

Question 4

What are the general principles to consider when prescribing medication for children?

Answer 4

• Use the most simple dosage regimen
• Pay attention to route of administration, formulation and duration of therapy

Question 5

What needs to be considered when prescribing medication to children in the early post natal period?

Answer 5

1 - Drug metabolism and elimination is highly variable

2 - Lower tolerance to ADR’s

3 - Higher incidence of therapeutic errors

4 - Difficulty in identifying efficacy and toxicity

Question 6

What body parameters are chaning during infancy that can have an effect on medications?

Answer 6

Body weight and water composition changing

Ratio of bodyweight to organ size is changing

Question 7

What are the main problems with medications in toddlers?

Answer 7

Non-compliance

Question 8

What are the main problems with medications in the young child?

Answer 8

Enhanced metabolism and excretion

Question 9

What are the main problems with medications in adolescence?

Answer 9

Body size and composition change significantly

Bheaviours such as smoking, alcohol and elicit drug use can also alter drug metabolism