Many over-the-counter medications contain powerful drugs that may have a strong impact on children. In fact, some young adults have been forced into addiction treatment therapy after developing a dependency on common medications.

For these reasons, experts warn that parents should pay close attention to the recommended dosing instructions that are listed on most labels. Following these guidelines may help improve treatment and reduce the risk of an addiction.

However, a recent study from University of West Virginia researchers found that many parents may be giving their children doses in excess of recommended levels. It showed that the dosing cups that come with many over-the-counter liquid medications are often inaccurate, leading to larger doses.

The study's lead author said that repeat overdosing from continually providing more medication than necessary over the course of a child's illness may lead to serious health complications.

Addiction to over-the-counter medicines like cough syrups that contain dextromethorphan are becoming increasingly common, and can be difficult to eliminate without the help of rehab facilities, according to researchers at the State University of New York, Stony Brook.