Babies, Parenting, Child Health, Infant Nutrition

Baby Development – Cold Medicines to Add Child Advisory

10.08.2008 | 7:10:32 pm | Posted by mummums

By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

baby development, parenting Back in January of this year, Mum Mum’s reported a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued public advisory on the use of over the counter cold and cough medication for children 2 years of age and under. The advisory warned parents not to give over the counter meds to children under 2 due to potentially life threatening side effects. Now, those medicine manufacturers have decided to voluntarily change their product labels to err to the side of caution.

Announced Tuesday, manufacturers of pediatric cold and cough medicines will change their labels advising their products not be used by children under 4. The announcement follows an FDA scientific panel’s testimony on the issue just last week. In addition, FDA safety experts recommended banning the use of over the counter cold and cough medications for children under 6, with an advisory panel in full agreement.

Vowing to fight further restriction, manufacturers initially agreed only to advise against the products use in children under 2. After listening to the FDA experts the manufacturers conceded, adding that they are trying to reduce any medication errors and that new product labels would be a step in the right direction.

baby development, organic baby food Even though 39% of US households use pediatric cough and cold products, recent studies found they have no therapeutic effects on the symptoms but merely act as a sedative. An increasing number of studies have found the medications not only to be ineffective, but also potentially dangerous including the risk of hives and neurological problems. Products containing certain antihistamines will also have a revamped label advising parents not to use them simply to make a child sleepy. While some parents attest sleep is good medicine, medical experts advise against sedating a child as it can worsen the breathing conditions caused by a cold or cough.

What You Can Do
Consumer Healthcare Products Association, a trade organization that represents makers of over the counter medications, stated that the majority of the injuries from the medication occurred in children under 4, thus the new regulations would eliminate the majority of the problems. Many injuries also occurred from accidental overdose by children who got their hands on the bottles without their parents knowing in addition to parents giving too much medication when either confusing the dosage or giving 2 different products that share similar ingredients. As a parent, make sure all medications are out of reach of your little ones at all times. Also, be sure to check with your pediatrician before giving any over the counter mediation to your child.

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