56% rise in prescriptions for heartburn and other digestive problems among kids between 2002 and 2006. More than 2 million American children 18 and under used drugs for gastro-intestinal complaints last year. 31% increase in drug use among children aged 5 to 11 but only 6% rise in children aged 12 to 18. This spurt in prescriptions was found in a Medico Health Solutions analysis on prescription data for 2002-06. Proton Pump Inhibitors are the most common medicines prescribed for Gastro Intestinal problems mainly for Gastro esophageal Reflux disease. Obesity and overuse of drugs are the major reasons behind this rise in prescriptions. More than 10% younger children and 30% older children are overweight in United States. Heartburn is a common complication of being overweight and obese. Young children generally do not need drugs for heartburn and GERD but most parents are demanding doctors for prescriptions. Parents should try to use foods (non-fatty foods) and lifestyle changes to overcome this common problem. This is another concern for kids and parents after recent reporting of deaths from cough and cold medicine use. It is better not to use over the counter (OTC) drugs unless advised by physician in young children. … [Read more...]
FDA: Kids should not use OTC drugs without prescription
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. … [Read more...]
