Recently, there has been much discussion about the dangers of over-the-counter infant and children cough and cold products.

This information along with the legitimacy of the sources has caused a great deal of confusion for parents throughout the country.

To clarify the situation, Charles Ganley, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) director of Nonprescription Products, recently said “the FDA strongly recommends to parents and caregivers that OTC cough and cold medicines should not be used for children younger than age 2.”

Ganley also said, “these medicines, which treat symptoms and not the underlying condition, have not been shown to be safe or effective in children under age 2.”

Over-the-counter cough and cold products include decongestants, expectorants, and antihistamines (cough suppressants).

Very serious although rare adverse reactions have been reported such as death, convulsions, increased heart rates, and decreased levels of consciousness in children that have consumed these products.

The FDA final recommendation about use of OTC cough and cold medicines in children ages 2 to 11 years is still in review. The FDA is committed to making a timely and comprehensive review of the safety of OTC cough and cold medicines in children.

The agency plans to issue its recommendations on use of the products in children ages 2 to 11 years to the public as soon as the review is complete.

Pending completion of the FDA’s ongoing review, parents and caregivers that choose to use OTC cough and cold medicines to children ages 2 to 11 years should take the following precautions:

Follow the dosing directions on the label of any OTC medication.

Understand that these drugs will not cure or shorten the duration of the common cold.

Check the “Drug Facts” label to learn what active ingredients are in the products you are using because many OTC cough and cold products contain multiple active ingredients, which maybe be harmful.

Only use measuring spoons or cups that come with the medicine or those made specially for measuring prescription drugs.

Remember if you are not sure whether to give your children OTC cough and cold medications the FDA recommends that anyone with questions contact a physician, pharmacist, or other health care professional to discuss how to treat a child with a cough or cold.

For more information on injury prevention please, call the A Su Salud office at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio at 567-7826.