Self-medicating a child - Asthma Message Board

Tiger03 · 04-10-2007, 07:46 AM

I posted before about a child that I am worried about.

Her mother makes her do the nebulizer with Xopenex (and all her other meds) only when she is at certain houses (people that she is mad with of course). It goes from 1 time a day to 4 times a day - just depends on her mood, I guess. The child is confused as to why she has to do the extra medicine at these houses only when her asthma does not act up at these houses (she has never had a flare up at either one of the houses). The medicine is not in a box with a prescription label on it, so I am not sure of the correct dosage or anything.

We spoke with a nurse at her doctor's office, and she was prescribed this medicine at the end of Feb to use for 1-2 days as needed (she had gone in because of coughing fits). Will this harm the child if she is using it sporadically? Any effects I should look for? What do you guys think? Thanks!

Titchou · 04-10-2007, 08:05 AM

I don't mean to be intrusive here but why are you involved in this? And why on earth did this nurse break the law by giving you medical info on a child that is not yours?

Tiger03 · 04-10-2007, 09:14 AM

I really didn't give you all the info because I did not feel I had to, but the nurse had to give my husband the information considering he is her father... that is why I am involved. I just wanted to know about the effects of using the medication when it is not necessary.

acprivra · 04-10-2007, 01:26 PM

I have used Xopenex and from what I understand and experienced it's simply supposed to open up your airways similar to what albuterol does but in a higher concentration because it's inhaled through a nebulizer. I know that when I was using it I could tell if I was taking too much because I would get jittery and kind of anxious. My doctor told me that this could happen and not to be too alarmed.