I have been meaning to shoot you this post for a while now, but I keeping forgetting to do so…

 

Just about every night I work, I have a parent or family member call or approach me at the pharmacy asking for a cough and cold medication for their child that is less than 2 years old (happened twice last night). 

 

My answer: There are no longer any OTC cough and cold medications on the shelf geared toward children less than 4 years of age.

 

In January 2007, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) put out a warning to all healthcare providers and caregivers that the over-the-counter cough and cold medications for children less than 2 years old could lead to serious injury and a possible deadly overdose.  The CDC’s warning came after an investigation where 3 infants less than 6 months old died accidentally after being given the products – the medications were not used correctly. 

 

The same investigation estimated that about 1500 children younger than 2 years old had to be treated at the emergency room (this was over one year of time in 2004 to 2005) for adverse events caused by taking OTC cough and cold medications.

 

In January 2008, the FDA put out a statement recommending that OTC cough and cold medications be avoided in children less than 2 years old.

 

As a result of the FDA’s recommendation, companies volunteered to pull all of their OTC cough and cold medications for children under 4 years of age off the shelf (I could not find a single one) – the labels on the boxes now say for children older than 4 years of age. 

 

Remember, the age change on the label of these products was voluntary.   The FDA still sees the products as okay to use in children less than 4 years of age – just some extra caution is needed. 

 

When a parent or caregiver comes up to me asking which OTC cough and cold medication they can give their 9 month old, for example, I tell them they will have to contact the baby’s doctor.  This is not because I want to be a pain, but because I think it’s safer this way – some pharmacists may have a different opinion.  I also feel that if a young child or infant is to the point where you think they need a medication, it’s best to have them checked out by their doctor so nothing goes unchecked.     

 

The doctors can write prescriptions for medications with lower strengths of the same ingredients as compared to the OTC cough and cold medications.  This allows fewer mistakes to occur when given to the kiddos under 2 years of age, and therefore, less accidental injury or death.  Also, hopefully by getting a prescription filled, the pharmacist will have told you how to give the medication to your child!

 

Any questions?  If so, blast me an e-mail at cate@getpharmacyadvice.com. 

 

I cannot wait for you to subscribe to our site. J Join in on the fun by filling out the form below.  Talk to you soon!