**6.4.1 Acetaminophen**

It is a drug whose analgesic and antipyretic effect is almost equal to aspirin. However it does not resemble to aspirin in terms of gastric mucosa destruction and bleeding. It has no antirheumatic effect being only active against mild and moderate fever. It is used in cases of nuisance, muscle and joint pain, neuralgia and fever. It is also advised in situations where aspirin is contraindicated or not tolerated (Kavakl et al, 1998).

*The dose, route of administration, duration and discharge of drug:* 

Oral: loading dose 24 mg/kg, maintenance dose 12 mg/kg/dose Rectal: loading dose 30 mg/kg, maintenance dose 20 mg/kg Maintenance dose intervals Preterm ≤32 weeks: 12 hours

The Administration and Dose of Most Frequently Used Drugs in Pediatrics 317

As a bronchodilator in asthma attack it is administered 2 times at 20 minutes intervals by SC route at a dose of 0.01 mg/kg/dose. Higher dose Administration may result in arrhythmia

*Uses:* The resuscitation - the cessation of the heart - together with other measures. Injections performed only by health services, which provides further information about the drug.

It is used as absorbent in oral drug overdose treatment. The dose of 0.25-1 gr/kg can be

Albuterol is used as a bronchodilator in the treatment of bronchospasm developed in children with reversible respiratory tract disease. It affects the smooth muscles (Kavakl et

2-6 age → 0.1-0.2 mg/kg/dose 3 times a day, 4 mg 3 times a day (the highest applicable

12 ages and older → 2-4 mg/dose 3-4 times a day, 8 mg 4 times a day (the highest applicable

The drug is administered every 4-6 hours as 0.5% solution 0.01-0.05 ml/kg by inhalation via

Aerosol inhalation is administered on children above 12 at 90 µ/sprey and the drug reaches the highest level in blood after ½- 2 hours. It is metabolized in liver and discharged from

*Side effects of the drug:* Tachycardia, peripheral vasodilatation, tremor, nervousness, hyperactivity, hypokalemia, irritation in oropharynx are potential side effects (Kavakl et al,

*The things to be considered by nurse applying the drug:* The drug should be well shaken before inhaler application. Mouth should be washed with water after each application in order to

It should be administered with precaution in children with hyperthyroidism, diabetes, mellitus and heart disease. Addictiveness may develop in prolonged therapy and the usual

6-12 age → 2 mg/dose 3 times a day, 24 mg/day (the highest applicable dose)

nebulizer. It can be administered more frequently on children with need.

It has more effect when used with drugs decreasing congestion.

*Dose:* 0.0.1 to 0.03 mg/kg. IV push or SC (Young & Mangum, 2010).

administered by PO route every 4 hours if necessary (Eroğlu, 2002).

*The dose, route of administration, duration and discharge of drug:* 

The age-appropriate daily dose of albuterol:

body via urinary system (Kavakl et al, 1998).

avoid mouth and throat dryness.

dose may not be enough.

**6.4.3 Adrenaline** 

and/or hypotension (Kartal, 2002).

**6.4.4 Activated charcoal** 

**6.4.5 Albuterol** 

al, 1998).

dose)

dose).

1998).

 >32 weeks: 8 hours Term 6 hours (Kanmaz, 2010). age-appropriate daily dose: 0-1 month→ 40 mg 4-11 months →80 mg 1-2 age →120 mg 2-3 age →160 mg 4-5 age →240 mg 6-8 age →320 mg 9-10 age→400 mg 11 years old and older→480 mg (Kavakl et al, 1998).

The drug is administered every 4-6 hours. It should not exceed more than 5 doses within 24 hours. The drug can be in tablet, capsule, drop, suspension, syrup and suppository forms. The drug gets absorbed by gastrointestinal system, reaches the highest level in blood within half an hour-one hour and sustains its effect for almost 5 hours.

It is metabolized in liver and discharged from body via urinary system. It reaches fetus through placenta (Kavakl et al, 1998).

*Side effects of the drug:* As a result of higher dose intake and more prolonged therapy vomiting, nausea, confusion, fever, coma, hepatic and renal tubular necrosis can be observed (Kavakl et al, 1998). Liver toxicity occurs with excessive doses or after prolonged administration (>48 hours) of therapeutic doses. Rash, fever, thrombocytopenia, leupenia, and neutropenia have been reported in children (Young & Mangum, 2010).

*The things to be considered by nurse applying the drug:* Nurse should be warned not to exceed recommended dose. For children who have received higher doses and more prolonged therapy liver, kidney and hematopoietic functions should be analyzed.

In case of children with nutritional deficiency it may result in toxicity in liver even if higher doses are not administered.

If the drug is used to reduce fever it should not be forgotten that it can mask the serious disease condition.

The drug should be stored in tight-closed, light-proof bottles and kept away from the reach of children (Kavakl et al, 1998).

#### **6.4.2 Adenosine**

Acute treatment of sustained paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. It may also be useful in establishing the cause of the SVT.

*Dose:* 50 mcg/kg rapid IV push (1 to 2 seconds). Increase dose in 50 mcg/kg increments Q2 minutes until return of sinus rhythm.

*Adverse Effects:* > 1 / 100 Pain in the chest. Shortness of breath. Dizziness and headache. The in flow of hot face. Speeding up heart rate. Tingling in the extremities. Nausea. 1/100- 1/1000 Sweating. Lowering blood pressure. Anxiety. Seeing the fog. >1/1000 The attack of an asthma attack.
