What the FDA and American Academy of Pediatrics Know About Children’s OTC Cough and Cold Medications But You May Not
A story this week in The New York Times about the suspected link between acetaminophen use in children and asthma has shined the light once again on the risks associated with giving over-the-counter cold medications to children. The most common ingredient in children’s cold medications, acetaminophen can be found in such popular OTC brands as Children’s Tylenol, Pediacare and Triaminic.
The growing concern about acetaminophen comes on the heels of US Food & Drug Administration warnings about Dextromethorphan, another popular ingredient in OTC cough and cold medications that is no longer supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
According to a recent study by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, one of the top pediatric hospitals in the country, “Research has linked OTC cough and cold products to cases of poisoning or death in hundreds of children 2 years of age and younger.” In addition, complications from cough medication use send thousands of children under the age of 11 to emergency rooms every year.
To protect children, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory in 2008 formally recommending that OTC cough and cold products not be used in infants and children under the age of 2 “because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur.”
Dr. Zak Zarbock, a Utah-based pediatrician who spoke at an FDA advisory hearing about the dangers of OTC cough and cold medications, was so concerned about the dangers of Dextromethorphan that he developed Zarbee’s, a line of all-natural cough and cold remedies that contain no Dextromethorphan or other drugs, no alcohol or dyes and carry no risk of overdose or side effects.
Filling a much-needed gap in the pediatric market, and now recommended by more than 40,000 pediatricians nationwide, Zarbee’s makes a cough syrup with a special blend of honeys fortified with immune-boosting vitamins that is safe for children as well as pregnant and nursing women and a nighttime drink that soothes coughs and promotes healthy sleep.
Despite the warnings and safe alternatives, the Mott Children’s Hospital study found that more than 60% of parents with children 2 and under have given their children an OTC cough and cold medicine within the last 12 months.
Why aren’t parents listening? According to the report, “There are challenges to informing parents about this topic. The FDA warning is specific to children 2 and under—but parents of those kids may not have heard the warnings issued more than 2 years ago. Each year, a new generation of parents must be educated about a wide variety of health care issues for the children.”
With cold and flu season officially upon us, now is the perfect time to review how to safely treat a child’s cough and cold symptoms. As the research shows, the potential dangers are nothing to sneeze at.
There are surprisingly few safe options like Zarbee’s on the market so read product labels carefully and avoid any OTC product with Dextromethorphan or another drug. Parents are also advised to follow the FDA’s recommendations (source: www.fda.gov):
- Call a physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional if you have any questions about using cough or cold medicines in children 2 years of age and older.
- Only use the measuring spoons or cups that come with the medicine or those made especially for measuring drugs. Do not use common household spoons to measure medicines for children since household spoons come in different sizes and are not meant for measuring medicines.
- Carefully follow the directions on the label. These directions tell you how much medicine to give and how often you can give it.
- Understand that using OTC cough and cold medicines are intended only to treat your child’s symptom(s). OTC cough and cold medicines do not treat the cause of the symptoms or shorten the length of time your child is sick. They only relieve symptoms and make your child feel more comfortable.
- Check the “active ingredients” section of the label. This will help you understand what “active ingredients” are in the medicine and what symptoms each active ingredient is intended to treat. Cough and cold medicines often have more than one “active ingredient” (such as an antihistamine, a decongestant, a cough suppressant, an expectorant, or a pain reliever/fever reducer).
- Be very careful if you are giving more than one OTC cough and cold medicine to a child. Many OTC cough and cold medicines have more than one “active ingredient.” If you use two medicines that have the same or similar “active ingredients” a child could get too much of an ingredient which may hurt your child. For example, do not give a child more than one medicine that has an antihistamine.
- Do not use these products to sedate your child or make your children sleepy.
- Choose OTC cough and cold medicines with childproof safety caps, when available, and store the medicines out of the reach of children.
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My Thoughts:
I was sent a sample of Zarbee’s all-natural children’s cough syrup to try with my 17 month old daughter, Savannah. I didn’t think I would have to use it this early in the cold season, but since my now 7 week old daughter was released from the hospital after her surgery three weeks ago, she brought home a nasty head cold, and we have been passing it back and forth since then. Over the weekend, Savannah developed a cough and kept rubbing her neck. Because she is under the age of 2, she can’t any over the counter medications, nor can I use Vicks with her humidifier. So, when she gets a cold, usually I have to let it run its course. But, thanks to Zarbee’s all natural children’s cough syrup, I can now treat her cough, as it is safe and effective for children 12 months and older.
At first, I thought Savannah would fuss when I tried to give her the medicine, but the sweet smell of the grape flavored syrup made it enticing for her, and she wanted to try it. I followed the recommended 1 tsp. for her age, and gave it to her every 4 hrs. After two days of use, I noticed Savannah’s cough go away, and she wasn’t grabbing at her neck anymore. Wow, I couldn’t believe how quickly this cough syrup got rid of her cough. Now, she only has her runny rose, which is easier to deal with and doesn’t keep her up all night.
As a mom, I am so thankful that there is a cough medicine available, and is safe and effective for my 17 month old daughter. I will definitely be buying Zarbee’s products from now on.
---BUY NOW---
Zarbee’s All-Natural Children’s Cough Syrup and Zarbee’s Nighttime Cough & Sleep Drink each retail for a suggested $8.99 and may be purchased at Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Kmart, Kroger, Winn Dixie, Albertsons and Meijer stores nationwide as well as on www.zarbees.com.
Don’t forget to head on over to Facebook and “like” Zarbee’s Fan Page, for news of special promotions, new product introductions and more.
About Zarbee’s
The fastest-growing children's cough and cold brand in the country, Zarbee’s is proven safe and effective for children 12 months of age and older. Developed by Dr. Zak Zarbock, one of the country’s top pediatricians, Zarbee’s products—a children’s cough syrup with a special blend of honeys fortified with immune-boosting vitamins that is also safe for women who are pregnant or nursing and a nighttime drink that soothes coughs and promotes healthy sleep—are recommended by more than 40,000 pediatricians nationwide. Zarbee’s products are all natural and gluten free, contain no drugs, alcohol and dyes, have no side effects and carry no risk of overdose.
Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. The views above are mine and mine alone.
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