Cold medicine risky (at times deadly) for babies, toddlers- CDC

[mzmolly]

Cold medicine risky for babies, toddlers

ATLANTA - More than 1,500 toddlers and babies wound up in emergency rooms over a two-year period and three died because of bad reactions to cold or cough medicine, federal health officials reported Thursday.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned parents not to give common over-the-counter cold remedies to children under 2 years old without consulting a doctor.

The deaths of three infants 6 months or younger in 2005 led to an investigation that showed the children all had high levels of the nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine, up to 14 times the amount recommended for children ages 2 to 12. The study found 1,519 ER cases from 2004 and 2005 involving young children and cold medicine.

The
CDC said it's not known how much cold or cough medicine can cause illness or death in children under 2 years old, but there are no approved dosing recommendations by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration for that age group.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070111/ap_on_he_me/cold_medicine_infants">LINK

It's good they are finally coming out with this info.

I realize it's not related to world events, but it's important to share none the less.

[Pithlet]

1. I ended up in the ER with my secondborn

after giving him over the counter cold medicine when he was a baby, and this was after I'd called his pediatrician's hotline and gave it to him on their recommendation. He's fine, but it was a scary experience, and I didn't give him any more OTC cold medicine after that until he turned 3.

[mzmolly]

4. I never use cold medicine, but I do use tylenol and ibuprophen

on occasion. I have never liked cold medicine so I just never gave it to my daughter. :shrug:

But, it's good to see this info coming out. Some in the "natural health" community have been warning on this for years.

[RiffRandell]

2. Thanks, mzmolly.

I am giving my 9 month old and 5 year old cold meds right now. Called the dr 2 days ago to confirm dosage.

Glad to see you posting again....I have not seen you in a long time and always enjoyed (and agreed) with your posts!

[mzmolly]

3. Thanks!

I took a much needed break and requested that I not be able to post for a time, but I'm glad to be back as well.

:hi:

[Horse with no Name]

5. Those multi-additive cold medications aren't that good for anyone

You can buy what you need individually and you don't end up risking side effects from what you don't need.
The biggest overdose is from Tylenol. It is usually included in many of these preparations and then people don't realize it and overmedicate themselves with additional Tylenol.

[mzmolly]

6. I agree. My diabetic husband nearly died the last time he took a multi-

cold medicine. Sucked, for lack of a more intelligent word. ;)

[Lurking Dem]

7. My son and I both have horrible

reactions to pseudoephedrine products. The reaction we get from it is called extrapyramidal. It also included a pseudo-Parkinsons head jerk type thing requiring massive doses of Benadryl to counteract.

Now I use a wonderful line of homeopathic products from Borick and Tafel.

[mzmolly]

8. Wow.

Very interesting. My daughter has Tourette Syndrome and I wonder how many kids on medications like this are misdiagnosed?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

9. Very Important To Share.

But also important to remember overall, that even in addition to young children that ALL labels of medication should always be followed regardless of age. So many people ignore the dosage instructions and so many die because of it.

[JI7]

10. is this a common thing ?

i don't think i would ever give any medicine to kids that young which was not prescribed by a doctor.