A guide for parents
Managing heart medicines
01
Start with the reason
Children do not all need the same heart medicines. Ask what each medicine is for and whether it is temporary or likely to continue. Medicines may help reduce extra fluid, manage an irregular heartbeat or treat other effects of the condition. Your child’s team and pharmacist decide the dose and instructions. This guide does not provide a dosing schedule.
02
What happens next
Check every new supply
Confirm the medicine name, strength, amount and timing on the label. Liquid medicines can have different strengths. The same number of millilitres from a new bottle may contain a different amount of medicine. Ask the pharmacist to demonstrate the correct measuring device; household teaspoons are unsuitable. Keep medicines safely away from children and follow storage and expiry instructions.
Do not stop a prescribed medicine because your child seems well without discussing it with the prescriber.
Make questions part of the plan
Ask for medicine-specific advice about missed doses, vomiting and side effects rather than guessing or doubling a dose. Check before giving shop-bought medicines, herbal remedies or supplements. Keep an up-to-date list for appointments and agree which adult gives each dose so it is not accidentally repeated. Request repeat supplies early enough for any specially prepared medicine.
As your child grows, involve them in learning names and purposes at a manageable pace. If taking medicine is distressing or difficult, tell the team; practical help or another suitable form of the medicine may be possible.
03
Questions to ask
Save the questions you want to take to your next appointment. You can edit them in your Journal.
- What does each medicine do for our child, and how will you check whether it is helping?
- What should we do if a dose is missed or vomited, and can you give us instructions for each medicine?
- Who will adjust the prescriptions and arrange repeat supplies, and who should we contact if we are running low?
Sources and review
Sources checked 9 October 2026. Independent clinical review pending.
- NHS: Congenital heart disease
Accessed 9 October 2026
- Great Ormond Street Hospital: Making the most of your child’s medicines
Accessed 9 October 2026
- Great Ormond Street Hospital: How to give your child liquid medicines
Accessed 9 October 2026