Kids should not take common cold and cough medicines without doctor advice. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave this preliminary recommendation on use of antihistamines in those younger than 6 and decongestant in children younger than 2.
FDA reviewed 800 most commonly used medicines whether their use is safe and effective in children. FDA took up this review in response to a petition by Baltimore officials against the usage of OTC (Over the Counter) drugs without physician advice.
Pharma companies are aggressively marketing these medicines with delicious fruity flavors mainly targeting kids. Parents are carelessly using these over the counter drugs for cough and cold without doctor advice. Pharma companies should not use kids in their TV advertisements for these medicines. “Consult with doctor” label is not enough for these most popular drugs which are causing deaths.
Hydrocodone, a common ingredient in these medicines, is highly addictive and can cause death if not used properly. Hydrocodone overdose can cause breathing problems or cardiac arrest and impair motor skills and judgment. Hydrocodone is genarally used to treat pain and suppress cough.
FDA would recommend no level of dosage for children under the age of 2 due to lack of efficacy and safety concerns. FDA found 54 reported deaths from decongestants and 69 deaths from antihistamines in children under the age of 2. FDA ordered companies marketing unapproved Hydrocodone products to stop manufacturing them by October 31, 2007.
Cold takes a week to get over whether you take medicine or not. I can’t understand why parents use OTC drugs for cold? It is just a marketing gimmick by Pharma companies.
FDA will give its final decision in their next month review meeting.
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