Dr. Wojo | Syndicated Columns | OTC Pediatric Meds

OTC PEDIATRIC MEDS

We are in the peak of the cough and cold season. As adults, we reach for a variety of over-the-counter medications to ease our symptoms, and as parents we do the same for our children. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended that we treat our children differently, and in fact, they recommended that we do not use cold medications for children under the age of two. In older children, these medications must be used with extreme caution, and possibly not at all. A recent study has shown that despite recent announcements concerning overdosages in children, about 7,000 children visit Emergency Departments annually due to complications from taking over-the-counter cold medications.

What are the dangers? The safety of over-the-counter cold and cough medications has been questioned in the use of children aged two and under. Manufacturers have removed these medications from the market for this age group. This does not include medications that control fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Older child can have an allergic reaction, such as hives. If this happens, the child should see a doctor or go to the Emergency Department. Other side effects may include an alteration in mental status and coordination. About two thirds of the other emergency visits occur because children have taken these medications without adult supervision. Because these medications have a limited ability to affect the common cold, it’s best to avoid taking the medications.

What else should parents do? The CDC recommends that parents follow these rules.

Be sure that medications are out of reach of children. Be sure the medications are in childproof containers, stored in a locked cabinet.
Never tell a child that medications are candy, in order to coax a child into taking the drug. This sets a bad precedent for future usage.
Avoid taking adult medications in front of a child. Child love to mimic adult behavior and a child may think that it is safe to take medication unsupervised.
Never give a child under the age of two any medications that are intended for older children. It has been shown that this can cause significant complications in the young child.
If you have any cold medications that are intended for children younger than two years, throw them away. Recent studies have shown that these medications are ineffective and dangerous for this age group.

Remember that common sense treatment is still the best. Treat a child’s fever with acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Keep your child well hydrated. With small children, saline nasal drops can help. It is important to remember that if your child appears really ill or you observe behavior that is alarming, the child should be taken to your health care provider.

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