If you have children, it is imperative that you educate yourself about the latest updates regarding children’s over the counter medication. I have four children, ages 7, 6, 3 and 15 months. I can remember clearly my pediatrician recommending over the counter cough and cold medication for my oldest son when he was 9 months old (in 2004). Since that time, the guidelines have changed drastically and over the counter (OTC) cough and cold medication is not recommended for children under the age of 4 due to serious safety concerns.
Caregivers should know that, in 2008, manufacturers voluntarily removed OTC infant (defined as less than 2 years of age) cough and cold products due to safety concerns. In that same year, they voluntarily re-labeled children’s cough and cold products to state that they should not be used in children under 4 years of age. The FDA recently sent out a reminder to all caregivers that they should NEVER give a child under 2 years of age ANY kind of cough and cold product containing decongestants or antihistamines. The specific products at issue are any OTC medication containing ephedrine,pseudoephedrine,pheylephrine, and the antishistamines diphenhydramine, brompheniramine, and chlorpheniramine.
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