Updated advice - Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for young children

[hiann]

EDITTED 02/12/09 as this thread has resurfaced....


THIS POST HAS BEEN POSTED NOT TO SCARE OR WORRY ANYONE BUT BECAUSE THE ARTICLES I HEARD ON THE NEWS SAID SOME MEDICINES HAD BEEN BANNED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS BUT DIDNT SAY WHY REALLY OR WHAT MEDICINES THEY WERE.

THE PROBLEM REALLY IS THAT THE MEDICINES AGENCY IN THE UK (AND IN THE USA) WERE CONCERNED THAT PEOPLE WERE ACCIDENTIALLY OVERDOSING THEIR CHILDREN AS THEY DIDNT ADHERE TO THE DOSES ON THE BOTTLES AND/OR MIXED SEVERAL TYPES OF MEDICINES NOT REALISING THEY WERE DUPLICATING THE SAME DRUG.

GIVEN AT THE CORRECT DOSE AND FREQUENCY, THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT ANY HARM WILL COME TO A CHILD UNDER SIX WHO HAS RECEIVED THESE MEDICINES: IT IS MERELY WHEN THE MEDICINES ARE GIVEN IN EXCESS.

WHETHER OR NOT, YOU DECIDE TO HOLD ONTO ANY AFFECTED MEDICINES AND GIVE THEM IS YOUR PERSONAL DECISION. HOWEVER, YOU MAY BE REFUSED SALE OF THESE MEDICINES IN PHARMACIES if BUYING THEM FOR CHILDREN UNDER SIX.

THE MEDICINES "WITHDRAWN" WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE FOR USE IN OLDER CHILDREN: THEY WILL PROBABLY BE RECLASSIFIED TO PHARMACY OWN MEDICINES SO WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE TO PICK OFF A SHELF BY YOURSELF IN A SUPERMARKET, GARAGE ETC.


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In summary, this advice is:

Children suffering from a cough or cold should be treated with paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower the child’s temperature, and if they have a cough to use a simple cough syrup (such as glycerol, honey or lemon);


This is a list of the NEW changes:

http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/idcplg?I...LatestReleased

[Teilosmummy]

Just saw this on the news, I try never to give cough medicine if I can, never find it does anything to help. Thanks for putting this up.

[Ellie H]

Here are the six that have been withdrawn as far as I can see:

Buttercup Infant Cough Syrup
Boots Chesty Cough Syrup 1 yr Plus
Boots Sore Throat and Cough Linctus 1 yr Plus
CalCough Chesty
Children's Chesty Cough
Asda Childrens Chesty Cough Syrup

xxxxxxxxx

[hiann]

PS to above, the info above mentions cough and cold remedies: it doesnt mention what to do with pure antihistamine meds like Piriton which is chlorphenamine

I'll look for more info on these types of meds and see what advice is being given to community pharmacists with regard to these: the info they have been sent so far is that which is in the link above.

Stronger antihistmaines like Phenergan (promethazine) arent recommended in kids under 2 at all unless benefit is thought to outweigh risks: if you ask your pharmacist for this med, they probably will ask why you want so its prob best leaving thsi med to be prescibed by doctors only. The problem was it and similar meds were linked to cot death years ago.

[Teilosmummy]

Do you think that the NHS direct website will have any info, I do use medised when they are really bunged up and I have used piriton in the past, have both in my cupboard.

[dara07]

Originally Posted by hiann

Stronger antihistmaines like Phenergan (promethazine) arent recommended in kids under 2 at all unless benefit is thought to outweigh risks:.

When my LO had chicken pox my neighbour came over with a bottle of phenergan, said it was great for chicken pox! Gave it to LO everyday while she had the pox.
Feel so stupid now that i never asked a pharmacist or doc about it.
My advice is always ask a qualified person! D

[SephiesMum]

Cheers for the info ladies, I have a bottle of Buttercup in my cupboard, will throw it out. x

[Leahbird]

Thanks so much for this Hiann! I have checked my cupboard and I have the Tixylix Chesty cough one and it says it contains Guaifenesin! So off to throw that one out! Gonna check the rest, I have piriton in the cupboard but have never used it, but do 'swear' of used to! by Medised! Dont think I will now though! Scary stuff!
Let us know when you get more info

Thanks hun
xxxx

[matilda s mum]

thanks for posting this.
I heard it on the radio news and thought I heard them say Calpol - but must have been Calcough.
we try to avoid cough meds, but have given piriton when Tilly had chicken pox - and occassional medised when really bad.

another random point to note is the amounts to give.
For Tilly, who is between one and two, you can offer 5ml of Calpol (paracetemol) but only 2.5ml of Calprofen (ibuprofen)
thought I'd mention this too as almost gave her 5ml of ibuprofen by mistake one night.

xx

[hiann]

havent had a chance to look at the Piriton issue yet. If you have given them in the past, dont worry and at present they are still available so if you are giving them at the recommended dose, it'll still be ok to use: its not as if you are using them for days on end.

The problem as far as I can see is the meds on the list could cause problems if given in overdose rather than at "normal" recommended dose so I'll be happy for example to give Rhys a dose today if he needed them if tahts any reassurance. It's like all meds: too much is bad if you exceed the recommended dose and that includes Calpol.

If Piriton had had been withdrawn, it would be on the list too. But I'll need to read more abt it first: will look tonight on a med info website I use.