Accudial's weight-based rotating labels prevent underdosing and overdosing in children's OTC medications

Jul 9 2010

There is plenty to worry about when it comes to the job of parenting. However, wondering if a child is receiving the correct amount of over-the-counter (OTC) medication can now be a concern of the past, thanks to Children's AccuDial(R), a patented new line of children's medication available across Canada, with a dosing system based on body weight, not age.

Measuring dosages using a specific formula based on weight is standard practice among health care professionals such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. Invented by a doctor, Children's AccuDial takes the same approach using a rotating, weight-based dosing label on the bottle, so the amount of medication being administered to a child is accurate to within one pound. Eight OTC products, including a children's allergy formulation, are now available in more than 2,000 pharmacies across Canada.

According to AccuDial's CEO Bob Terwilliger, Canadian parents can now avoid underdosing, which can cause an inadequate response, and overdosing, which in some cases can cause nausea and vomiting, and in more serious cases liver failure or even death.

"With accurate dosing directions available at a parent's fingertips, Children's AccuDial makes it easy to give the right amount of medication safely, effectively, and easily, every time," says Terwilliger. "The weight of children in the same age group can vary by as much as 100 per cent so they should not be given the same amount of medicine. Because the dose is based on a child's weight and not age, the product will do a better job of easing the symptoms when given in the correct dosage."

How It Works

The outer label of AccuDial's patented, two-part labeling system rotates around the bottle. A parent or caregiver simply turns the outer label until the child's weight in pounds (lbs) or kilograms (kg) is displayed in a window, and the proper weight-based dose in milliliters (mL) is displayed below the child's weight. The medicine is then administered with the included dosing spoon calibrated in mL and 1/2 mL for complete efficiency. Children's AccuDial is the only pharmaceutical brand to provide parents and caregivers with an easy-to-use method for dosing by weight. The rotating label provides dosing directions in two-pound increments for children up to 95 pounds.

Why AccuDial Was Created

Developed in Palm Beach County, Florida, AccuDial's patented rotating label was invented by Dr. Brian Kaplan, an associate of a Boca Raton, Florida-based internal medicine practice. During his 15-year career as an emergency department physician in Florida, Dr. Kaplan observed the widespread problem of overdosing and underdosing children.

Proof AccuDial Is Needed

Research supports what Dr. Kaplan saw in the emergency room. According to a survey conducted by the American Medical Association, children between the ages of two and 12 are inaccurately dosed up to 70 per cent of the time because the amount of medication they are given is based on age, rather than weight.

Underdosing is also a major issue because it prevents children from receiving the correct therapeutic benefits from OTC medications. Inconsistent measuring devices such as teaspoons and dosing cups are also poor substitutes for accurate devices like a properly calibrated dosing spoon, which is included with each Children's AccuDial product.

A recent Cornell University study of approximately 200 students found that using kitchen utensils to measure a dosage of medicine can lead to overdosing and underdosing. Students tended to underdose when using a medium-sized spoon, and overdosed by an average of 12 per cent when using a larger spoon, at times pouring 20 per cent more medication than recommended. Tests concluded that when the sound of a baby crying was in the background, they poured 15 per cent more medicine, regardless of the size of the spoon.

Eight Children's AccuDial products are available in Canada featuring the weight-based rotating label, including a pediatric pain and fever formulation, one allergy formulation, and six varieties of cold and cough. The products come in great tasting flavours, including cherry, grape, fruit punch, and orange, and are in the same price range of other leading brands.

Allergy (Antihistamine; ages 2-12) Cold & Stuffy Nose (Antihistamine and decongestant; ages 6-12) Cough & Cold (Antihistamine and antitussive; ages 6-12) Chest Congestion (Expectorant; ages 6-12) Daytime Cough & Cold (Antitussive and decongestant; ages 6-12) Nite Time Cold & Cough (Antihistamine/antitussive and decongestant; ages 6-12) Pain & Fever (Acetaminophen; ages 2 and older) Runny Nose & Cough (Antihistamine/antitussive and decongestant; ages 6-12)

Source: ACCUDIAL PHARMACEUTICAL, INC. and CNW SOCIAL MEDIA