With the school year started in many parts of the world, parents are already dreading the next yearly milestone – cough and cold season! Over the counter medications for coughs carry many side effects, and some parents and doctors perceive them as ineffective.
A recent study, conducted by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that antibiotics prescribed to adolescents have seen a decline over the last eight years, as have allergy medications, pain medications, depression medications, cough and cold medicines. Contraceptives and medications to treat symptoms associated with ADHD, however, have increased during that time.
A new, less concentrated form of acetaminophen for infants and children will be hitting the shelves soon, and the FDA is warning parents and other caregivers to check the dosage information before administering this popular pain reliever.
Children visiting the emergency room for medication poisoning has increased by 28 percent and hospital admissions by 36 percent between 2001 and 2008.
Recent studies had indicated that genetic mutations were partly responsible for autism – a condition that causes behavioral and social problems in those affected. However, the actual cause of autism has yet to be found. While the previous study indicated that genetic mutation creates a probability for autism, it is not a definite.
Most over-the-counter (OTC) liquid children’s medications are dosed based on either an age or weight range. While this can work if your child is in the middle weight range, it can pose the risk of overdosing a lighter child or less seriously under-dosing a heavier child, rendering the medication ineffective.
Federal health experts have recommended that dosing instruction for children younger than two years should be added mandatorily to all over-the-counter products containing acetaminophen like children’s Tylenol, a popular pain reliever and fever reducer used by parents.
The Food and Drug administration is considering adding a recommended dosage for children under the age of two on children’s Tylenol and other medication that are targeted at children.
Despite warnings from the FDA, some parents are still giving their toddlers unsafe medications. Over-the-counter cold and cough medicines, not made for children under 2, can cause illness or death if used incorrectly.
