It took several Pediatrician groups and the New York Times to make the FDA sit up and take notice of the dangers to children from over the counter cough syrup.
Why all the fuss? Started last October 2006 when several deaths occurred to children after taking cough syrups which had carbinoxamine. Carbinoxamine is a anti-histamine. Another example of an anti-histamines is Bendaryl. Since then the FDA has noted that no one under two should take this medicine. The Pediatrician experts note that the actual age is much higher; and warn that this medication should not be given without physician supervision to those under 12 years of age.
Additional medications in cough syrup are also dangerous with children. All of these cough syrups are sold over the counter, and do not require a physician’s prescription. What are these medications? Autopsies of children indicate higher levels of pseudoephedrine, Tylenol and dextromethorphan; all commonly found in over the counter cough syrups. These levels were not insubstantial; pseudoephedrine was 14 times higher than recommended for children from 2 to 12 years of age.
The FDA, whose purpose it is to protect the health and safety of all citizens, has not done a very good job with its children citizenry. Clinical trials have not looked at children, but extrapolated data from adult participants. How can this be? We have known for decades that dosages differ for children and geriatric patients. Not only dosages differ, but the medicine itself can adversely impact children and elderly people.
It may be a long time, however, before the FDA is forthcoming with any limitations on cough syrups and/or medicines. Until then, leading children experts agree: colds are common in children. Unless there are chronic lung conditions, or environmental factors ascertained through your physician, children will recover from their colds best, if the parents do nothing. Allowing the body’s natural recovery process to occur is the best action one can take for one’s child.
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