Not All Blister Packs Are Safe Around Kids

Published July 8, 2025

Blister card packaging is the use of a plastic cavity (blister or bubble) that is sealed to a paper, cardboard, or foil backing. Multiple items may be sealed within that blister (i.e., batteries) or there maybe multiple blisters on one “card” (i.e., gum). This packaging method is used for various products including medicines. Sometimes these blister cards are nearly impossible to open. In fact, there are some that are made to be child resistant. But, similar to child-resistant caps on medicine bottles, children can often open them up with minimal effort. An event that was reported to us describes how quickly this can happen.

A woman shared that her toddler managed to take medicine used for nausea (ondansetron 4 mg orally disintegrating tablets) out of its blister packaging. The child swallowed over a dozen tablets before the mistake was caught. Thankfully, the child was unharmed.

Some manufacturers use child-resistant blister packs while others do not. After checking, the pharmacy found that the ondansetron blister cards made by Glenmark have a warning on the side panel. It says, "When dispensed for outpatient use, the blister(s) should be provided in an appropriate child-resistant container" (Figure 1). This warning can be easily missed because of its placement on the carton.

In this case, the pharmacist didn’t know that some blister packs are not child resistant. Therefore, when this medicine was dispensed, it was placed in a resealable plastic bag and not a vial with a child-resistant cap.

Here’s what you can do: If you have children in your home, always ask the pharmacy to put medicine in vials with child-resistant caps, including blister packs. Always store medicines out of sight and reach of kids and pets. Refer parents to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) PROTECT Initiative to learn more about how to keep children safe by storing medications properly. If a child takes medicine by accident, parents should contact Poison Control online or by calling 1-800-222-1222, or call 911 for an emergency.

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