Over-the-counter cough and cold medication use in young children.
During a 2-year period from 2004 and 2005, emergency departments treated over 1,500 children under the age of 2 years for adverse events related to over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medication use; these incidents include 3 infant deaths. The risk of overdose, incorrect dosing and adverse events is increased in young children due to the greater number of colds they acquire each year. Lack of evidence to support the use of OTC medications in young children is well documented in the literature; however, people continue to use OTC medications with young children. The common cold is generally a mild, self-limited illness that usually improves with time. Recommended care and treatment for the common cold includes symptomatic treatment. This article presents and reviews the available evidence regarding the use of OTC cough and cold medications for pediatric healthcare providers. This review of the evidence will be helpful for healthcare providers to minimize risks to young children who intentionally or unintentionally ingest these medications and to educate child caregivers regarding proper use of OTC cough and cold medications with children.
Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, USA. Teresa.Ryan@asu.edu
Teresa
T
Ryan
Melanie
M
Brewer
Leigh
L
Small
D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003139:Common Cold / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003915:Dextromethorphan / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000996:Antitussive Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D014663:Nasal Decongestants; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D003915:Dextromethorphan; D004155:Diphenhydramine