Liquid medication shortage tips

Tips from IWK Pharmacy to help navigate current liquid medication shortages

It is currently difficult for parents to access liquid products for the treatment of pain and fever. The IWK would like to reassure our patients and families that your pharmacist is always available to advise on medication alternatives and ensure your child is receiving the appropriate treatment. There is no need for a prescription for over-the-counter pain and fever treatments. Compounded products from a pharmacy should be last resort after the following strategies have been tried.

The IWK Pharmacy Department recommends the following “tips & tricks” for parents, care givers, and health care providers to navigate the current availability issues.

• In consultation with your pharmacist, consider alternative formulations. There are also chewable tablets, suppositories and meltaways available.
• Consider if now is the time to teach your child to swallow pills. It may be possible to achieve an appropriate dose using a regular strength or partial tablet. Please see information below for some helpful tips.
• Remember that treating a fever is about treating how your child feels, not treating the number on the thermometer. If your child feels well and is otherwise behaving normally for them despite a fever, treatment is not needed.
• Ensure you are employing all available non-drug options to treat a fever (like cool compresses) and pain (like ice packs on sprains and strains).

Helpful links:

• Pain Medication Information for Families and Caregivers (.pdf)
• Partial Tablet Handout (.pdf) UPDATED
• Six Steps to Success with Pill Swallowing (.pdf)
• Tip Card for Swallowing (.pdf)