Unlicensed Meds for Babies Under 1

LucasMummy · #1 (**permalink**) 16-10-07, 22:21

I need help

The doctor has prescribed Luca some Ucerax as hes having trouble sleeping (hes got eczema and hes incredibly itchy at night, but hes been teething for the last two weeks, so its extra bad). Its meant to stop the itching and help him sleep.

The thing is, Ive picked it up and youre not meant to take it yourself if you are pregnant or breastfeeding! And it has doseage instructions for babies over 1 year old. When I researched it, its unlicensed for babies under 1 :/

I dont feel comfortable giving this to him, hes only 7 months and Im cross the doctor didnt say anything when they prescribed it

There is a whole heap of possible sides effects, which include itching and insomnia!! But hes upstairs suffering and this might help... am I doing the right thing?

vmalzone · #2 (**permalink**) 16-10-07, 22:30

I say don't give it to him, and then read the doctor the riot act tomorrow. He probably didn't even check, or didn't click on how old Luca was. Can you give him medised or calpol night? Neither one will help the eczema, but they will help the teething and I believe they have something that makes the lo's sleepy. Maybe just for tonight and then go back to doc tomorrow?

Claire76 · #3 (**permalink**) 16-10-07, 22:46

I agree, don't give it. Better to check again first. Poor Luca, hope he's ok xx

DizzyMama · #4 (**permalink**) 16-10-07, 23:06

What a nightmare! If I were you I'd give NHS Direct a call tonight. They will be able to give you a definitive answer on whether it is safe for your little one to take. Some drugs do err on the cautious side when it comes to including potential reactions etc on the leaflet. Have you thought about consulting a homeopathic practitioner for his excema? Both my brother in law and an aunt had really bad psoriasis & excema which cleared up dramatically after consultation and treatment... no nasty drugs either. Maybe worth looking into... Hope you and your little man both get some sleep tonight xx

LucasMummy · #5 (**permalink**) 16-10-07, 23:22

Have just been on the phone to NHS Direct. Basically when its unlicensed it means that the company who produces it has not researched or tested it on babies under one year, so they dont know if its safe or not. However doctors are able to prescribe it if they believe its ok. I am amazed!! The nurse I spoke to said the doctor must think its okay, but she wouldnt give it to her baby.

So, mind definitely made up, hes not having it... it was my gut instinct and everyone else is reinforcing what Im thinking, so Im sure its the right thing to do. I just feel so sorry.

Thanks DizzyMama, might look into a homeopath - weve taken him to two private doctors already but they couldnt help. Its all a bit like "well, his ezcema isnt as bad as SOME babies..." oh right then, lets not worry that hes suffering as long as hes not suffering as much as SOME babies! Grrr!

DizzyMama · #6 (**permalink**) 16-10-07, 23:28

Glad you got your answer from the nurse. It is quite sad that some doctors don't view patients with the compassion we expect... Probably due to time constraints and bureaucracy but sad all the same. Alternative therapists tend to view 'the whole person', taking into account diet & lifestyle etc so definitely worth a go. Hope he's feeling better soon. xx

isabellasmum · #7 (**permalink**) 16-10-07, 23:56

TBH I have heard several cases of doctors prescribing things that are 'unlicensed'. A few days before Isabella was due she was sat on my sciatic nerve and I was in agony and the gp prescribed some painkillers that said 'not if pg/bfing' and when I rang to check he said they were safe for me to take but they have to be prescribed by your GP if that makes sense.

iwantone · #8 (**permalink**) 17-10-07, 01:03

Just a thought...and you may have already gone down this avenue but my lo has excema, it's not that bad & doesn't seem to bother him but we found out that it is due to a dairy sensitivity so as i am still breastfeeding i stay away from dairy products but I am ok to eat them if they are an ingredient in something if that makes sense. Has he had any allergy testing done? Hope he feels better soon & you all get a good nights sleep.

jules06 · #9 (**permalink**) 17-10-07, 06:27

My doctor prescribed me some tablets that if I had taken them and become pregnant I would have had to have a termination. No exuse for error when I went to see him that day about fertility test results. They have a duty of care to make sure what they prescribe is safe and should do some basic checks, especially with children, b/f mothers and pregnant women. I religiously read the leaflet medication comes with. If you ever are worried about something, your pharmasist is great and will know more than your doctor in a lot of cases, and supermarket pharmacies are open sometimes until 11.00p.m. now (some of them)...

vmalzone · #10 (**permalink**) 17-10-07, 06:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwantone

Just a thought...and you may have already gone down this avenue but my lo has excema, it's not that bad & doesn't seem to bother him but we found out that it is due to a dairy sensitivity so as i am still breastfeeding i stay away from dairy products but I am ok to eat them if they are an ingredient in something if that makes sense. Has he had any allergy testing done? Hope he feels better soon & you all get a good nights sleep.

Just to say wheat is a common cause of eczema, too. If our lo's eczema hits a bad patch, I cut back on his wheat (bread and pasta, mainly) for a few days to a week. Our allergist tells me that it's inappropriate for me to do this, as you shouldn't manage eczema through diet because the benefits of the food outweigh the drawbacks of the rash. But I don't cut it out altogether, only for a few days at a time, maybe once a month. It has helped.