Antibiotic Prescriptions

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Pages: 7

Because prescription drugs allow for a multitude of quick benefits, doctors are beginning to unnecessarily overprescribe medications to their pediatric patients. Of these prescription drugs, opioid pain killers, antibiotics, and psychiatric medications are most the most commonly overprescribed in child care. For example, opioid prescriptions have increased 300 percent in the past seventeen years (Boerner), over 50 million unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions are written each year (Murray), and 6.4 million psychiatric prescriptions are given to children between the ages of four and seventeen each year (Johnson). Although these cutting-edge medications allow doctors to easily prescribe drugs as a “quick fix” for their patients, doctors, patients, …show more content…
In antibiotic prescriptions, the government has interfered in this epidemic of abuse and will soon provide programs across the U.S. to promote proper use and prescription of antibiotics (Tenover). Also, the APA clinical report has provided a list rules to promote proper use of antibiotics: 1. Recognize the difference between a bacterial and viral infection, 2. Compare the negative and positive side effects of administering antibiotics to the patient, and 3. Prescribing the correct and most effective antibiotic specific to the patient's symptoms and needs (Murray). In regards to psychiatric ADD medications, “The positive effects of medication on children and youths with special health care needs are undeniable. But Illinois Representative Carol Ammons believes it is important to maintain ‘an ongoing dialogue between policymakers and care providers to ensure that the needs of [these students] can be met’” (Johnson). Also, treatment of ADD should not just involve medication but should also go alongside behavioral therapy sessions with a certified therapist. In strides to reduce opioid abuse, the CDC has also set out a list of protocol for health care professionals to follow: 1. Begin treat using non-painkiller medications, 2. Openly converse with patients and patient’s paretns regarding treatment plans and goals, 3. Begin writing prescriptions at the lowest dose and at a few days at a time, 4. If an increase is necessary, slowly increase the dosage a little bit per day, 5. Check in with patients four weeks after prescribing an opioid, 6. Check patient history for drug abuse; if patient was an opioid abuser, offer alternative pain management treatments (Boerner). With the government and other organization taking a stand against adolescent over prescription, pediatric healthcare is predicted to soon accept these