5 Phoenix kids evaluated after taking heart medication on the way to school
Oct 17, 2019, 9:04 AM | Updated: Oct 18, 2019, 6:07 am
(Pixabay Photo)
(Pixabay Photo)
PHOENIX — Five young children were evaluated Thursday after they took what authorities believe to be heart medication while on the way to a Phoenix elementary school.
Phoenix Police Sgt. Maggie Cox told KTAR News 92.3 FM a 6-year-old girl had taken the prescription pills that belonged to a family member from home and gave them to four other kids ages 6-7 while walking to Moon Mountain Elementary School.
Cox said a staff member became aware of what happened and called 911 after taking the kids to the nurses’ office.
Phoenix Fire Capt. Rob McDade told KTAR News when crews arrived at the school near 19th Avenue and Thunderbird Road, the first and second graders involved were crying and scared.
He said they believe the medication was nitroglycerin, which is “what grandpa takes when he’s having angina.”
“This is a vasodilator, so it opens up those blood vessels and makes it easier for the heart to pump,” he said. “But children at this young age … should not be taking these pills.”
McDade said the children were alert and responsive but some parents were still choosing to take them to the hospital.
He said authorities were investigating how the child got the medication and why the kids decided to take the pills.
“We’re dealing with such young children … so we’re just trying to figure out, how does this come about?” he said.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Martha Maurer contributed to this report.
