My Family Avoided an Incident Of ‘Granny’s Purse Syndrome’

It was a few days after a recent grandparent visit ended that my 6-year-old brought a small pill to his dad that he found on the floor near the sofa. My husband was soon able to determine it was a medication left behind accidentally by my son’s grandma. 

Luckily, my son did the right thing and the worst didn’t happen—but I felt shaken up thinking he could have popped the pill in his mouth thinking it was candy, or simply out of curiosity.

I later learned that this type of incident has a name: granny’s purse syndrome. The sadly common occurrence is being talked about on social media recently, with TikToker and pediatric ER doctor Meghan Martin (@dr.beachgem10) explaining in a video to her 1.6 million followers that granny’s purse syndrome, also called “granny syndrome,” “happens when young kids get into their grandparents’ (often unsecured) medication.” 

With the holidays upon us, and families getting together, we wanted to talk to experts to find out more about this extremely dangerous situation, and how parents can both avoid an incident involving grandparents’ medications, as well as what to do if the worst takes place and your child ingests a pill not meant for them.

How Common is Granny’s Purse Syndrome?

The exact number of incidents directly related to a child accidentally ingesting a grandparent’s medication is not known. But, “Anecdotally, it is pretty common for children to get into grandparents’ medications,” says Maryann Amirshahi, MD, PharmD, MPH, PhD, FACMT, FACEP, FASAM, FCP, a Professor of Emergency Medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine and Co-Medical Director of the National Capital Poison Center.

Todd Zimmerman, D.O., a pediatric emergency medicine physician and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group in Las Vegas agrees.

“In the pediatric ER, we see children rather frequently because they got into grandparents’ medications,” he tells Parents. 

Dr. Amirshahi explains that although many parents and even siblings may be on medications that are in the home regularly, “The risk with grandparents’ medications is that older adults often do not have children living in the home, and they may not store medications up and out of reach or in child-resistant packaging.”

Adding to this serious risk is that grandparents are more likely to be on medications that are particularly dangerous to young children, according to Dr. Amirshahi, such as heart medications, certain diabetes medications, and pain medications.

“Most commonly, we see kids getting into blood pressure medications, pain medications, and/or oral hypoglycemic medications—but this is certainly not limited to just these medications,” adds Dr. Zimmerman.

Dr. Amirshahi wants parents to know that “Some of these medications can result in serious toxicity or even death with the ingestion of one pill.”

How To Avoid Granny’s Purse Syndrome

Both Dr. Amirshahi and Dr. Zimmerman share tips for how to properly secure medications on the go in an effort to keep kids safe.

“When we travel, as many people do during the holidays, we do not store the medications the same way we would at home,” notes Dr. Amirshahi.

If you’re visiting grandma or grandpa, remember that they may not know the importance of making adjustments to their medication routines. For instance, grandparents may combine pills into a single bottle, or put them in a pill organizer that is not secure. Some may even take their pills out the night before and leave them on the counter for the morning.

Instead, these steps should be taken to remove as much risk as possible:

• Keep all medications up and out of reach of children. “If you are traveling to someone’s house with children, do not leave your medication in your suitcase, but move it up and out of reach,” Dr. Amirshahi advises. “If possible, do not store medication in your purse.” She says this is not always feasible if, for instance, an older adult with heart problems has to carry nitroglycerin with them in case they develop chest pain. “If you have to carry medication with you, it is better to use a child-resistant case and carry the smallest amount possible,” she advises.
• Store all medications in child-resistant packaging. This prevents a young child from accidentally ingesting medication not meant for them. “Kids may think it is candy, and younger children basically put almost anything in their mouth,” Dr. Zimmerman says.
• Inspect the floor and surfaces. While grandparents are visiting—and after—do thorough searches of the floor, tables, sofas, and chairs to ensure no loose pills are, well, unintentionally on the loose. This is also true if you and your family are visiting a grandparent.
• Remind grandparents about safety measures they can take to secure medications. Dr. Zimmerman recommends telling older visitors or hosts in advance that their medications must be stored in child-resistant bottles, and preferably in a locked cabinet, during the stay.

What To Do if a Child Swallows a Medication

If you think your child may have ingested a medication, the most important thing to do is seek immediate medical attention. You can reach Poison Control at 800-222-1222 or call 911.

“If you suspect a child got into a family member’s pills, try to get the name and strength and the amount of medication involved, which can help inform management,” Dr. Amirshahi urges.

“It is crucial that you obtain a list of every medication in the household,” agrees Dr. Zimmerman. 

According to Dr. Amirshahi, although they vary depending on what was ingested, danger signs of exposure to look out for include:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms. For instance, nausea and vomiting.
• Confusion. Also, look for unsteadiness, lethargy, and drowsiness.
• Seizures. Turn a child on their side while awaiting an ambulance if this occurs, advises Dr. Amirshahi.
• Trouble breathing. “You can administer bystander naloxone if available,” says Dr. Amirshahi, adding that if there is no pulse, start chest compressions while awaiting medical help.

Obviously, avoiding a terrifying medical emergency is the goal, so Dr. Zimmerman recommends that parents be proactive, and have an open and mindful conversation with grandparents ahead of time.

“Let them know that you just want to be extra safe and super careful,” he advises.