Saving Your Child From Their Cold Medicine

by Theresa Kiene

Any time your child gets a cold, your deepest mommy caregiver instincts suddenly take over. You just want your baby to feel better so she can finally rest and you can get the family schedule back on track. Until recently, many parents immediately reached for a reliable over-the-counter cold medicine that ads promised would help Doctor Mom.

Not anymore!

In October, A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted to ban popular over-the-counter cold products intended for children under the age of 6*. The panel couldn't find any proof that the medicines alleviated cold symptoms in children. In fact, there were reports of serious illness and even death as a result of accidental overdose.

Reading the proper dosage amounts for weight and age isn't good enough. Dosage guidelines for cold and cold mixtures are based on adult data and thus inaccurate for children.

Unfortunately, the only way to understand how the medicine will affect your child is to read the "Drug Facts" box on the package (in teeny tiny print). According to The New York Times, about 800 pediatric cold products sold in the United States use at least one or more of 39 different drugs. Concerned parents spend around $500 million every year, and buy nearly 95 million boxes of medicine. That's a lot of teeny tiny print!

Important Tips To Keep Your Child Safe It's only a matter of time before major manufacturers of cold medicines find a way to get their reformulated products back on the shelves. When they re-appear, here are some important facts that every parent should know the next time you want to give your child an over-the-counter medicine:

1) Cough and Cold medicines should NOT be used in children under the age of 2 UNLESS your pediatrician gives you specific directions to do so.

2) Never give children medicine intended for adults. This would dramatically increase the risk of an overdose. That includes desperate parents with children on a long flight.

3) If other medicines, either prescription or over-the-counter, are being given to a child, the child's pediatrician should review and approve their combined use.

4) It is important to follow the directions in the "Drug Facts" box. DO NOT give a child medicine more often or in greater amounts than is stated on the package.

5) Use the measuring device (dropper, dosing cup or spoon) that comes in the package with each different medicine. They are marked to deliver the recommended dose. If one is not included in the medicine packaging, they're widely available for purchase in drug stores. Take a look to make sure that the dosing matches the directions on the medicine box that you are using.

6) If you do not understand the dosing directions, do not give the medicine until you contact your pediatrician.

7) If your child's condition worsens or doesn't improve, stop using the product and take your child to their pediatrician for evaluation.

8) Because these medicines treat the symptoms of the common cold and are not a cure, many parents turn to tried and true homemade remedies. I use a humidifier, TLC and my grandmother's chicken soup recipe, which always makes my children feel better during the time it takes to get better.

What's your Homemade Cold Remedy?

Send us your great ideas for cold solutions without medicine and we will share them with other Moms in January! You can send your suggestions to theresakiene@familymagazinegroup.com.

*For a list of products that were banned, visit www.aap.org/new/kidcolds.htm.