Parents with Infants....DO NOT USE THAT MEDICINE!

TEX-JILLUSER-JUSTJOHN

Published on October 11, 2007 By Tova7 In Health & Medicine

I know we have some parents of infants here (kids under two). If you aren't one, you probably know one. I found this today while perusing the news.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Drug makers on Thursday voluntarily pulled children's cold medicines off the market less than two weeks after the government warned of potential health risks to infants.

Over-the-counter medications aimed at children under the age of two are being removed from store shelves because of rare instances of parents accidentally overdosing young children, a trade group that represents over-the-counter drug makers said. The group said parents should not use any medicines they have at home.

Cold medicines being withdrawn include: Johnson & Johnson Pediacare Infant Drops and Tylenol Concentrated Infants Drops, Wyeth's Dimetapp Decongestant Infant Drops, Novartis' Triaminic Infant & Toddler Thin Strips and Prestige Brands Holdings' Little Colds Decongestant Plus Cough.

Find the entire article here....http://www.rr.com/flash/index.cfm?rev=10253

Comments (Page 1)

foreverserenity

on Oct 11, 2007

I'll be sure to tell my BIL! Thx1

Jythier

on Oct 11, 2007

I've been told that the medicine doesn't actually work, and only serves to irritate the babies.

Besides that, the only deaths seem to be from overdosing, which would be fixed by having dosage instructions on the bottle instead of 'Ask a Doctor'. I figure some stupid putz uses the 2 year old dose or just makes up a number.

Texas Wahine

on Oct 11, 2007

I don't give Izzy cold meds. When she has a stuffy nose I do saline drops and a suction bulb (Tylenol if she needs it).

Thanks for the heads up, though! I do know some mommies who use cold meds with their babies so I will pass this on.

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Oct 11, 2007

Thanks for the info Tova.

When Ethan was here he got a fever and was quite warm, so I went out and got him some baby tylenol. Since he wasn't quite one I asked the Pharmacist about dosage. On the box it said under two and under 25 pounds consult a doctor. Where Ethan met the weight requirements he said we could give him that dosage which we did precisely. It really helped his fever. I'm not sure if that's the same as you're saying here? It wasn't cold medicine tho, just baby Tylenol.

But it looks like what Jay said, it's the overdosing that's the issue. I'll let Amanda know.

Texas Wahine

on Oct 11, 2007

KFC: My doctor actually did a little math formula for me at her check-ups so I would have the proper dosage for her. I have a dr friend that might be able to share it with me if you want it.

I try not to medicate Isabella unless I feel like it's necessary, but sometimes the baby Tylenol is the only thing that helps.

I have heard for a long time, though, that cold meds are a no-no for infants. Something else that other mommies and daddies might not know:

Hylands Teething Tables contain Belladonna. If you give your baby the tablets, do not give them Benadryl. The combo of the two is FATAL.

Tova7

on Oct 11, 2007

I'll be sure to tell my BIL! Thx1

Welcome!

Besides that, the only deaths seem to be from overdosing, which would be fixed by having dosage instructions on the bottle instead of 'Ask a Doctor'. I figure some stupid putz uses the 2 year old dose or just makes up a number.

I don't think most people would intentionally poison their kid. I'd love to see WHO over dosed though..did they speak English? Could they read? Was it given at night?

I do know some mommies who use cold meds with their babies so I will pass this on.

I was one. Gavin came two months early and was constantly sick, which caused ear infections. The Dr gave me the cold meds to try and keep his nose clear so the ears wouldn't get so bad. But what the Peds gave me is exactly the stuff that's been recalled.

I'm not sure if that's the same as you're saying here? It wasn't cold medicine tho, just baby Tylenol.

I don't think so. When I read the article it just mentioned cold medicines and I listed the ones being recalled.

Hylands Teething Tables contain Belladonna. If you give your baby the tablets, do not give them Benadryl. The combo of the two is FATAL.

WHOA! That's good to know. Thank goodness for the net. I ran most of my kids meds through a prescription checker when they were younger just to make sure none of them were fatal together.

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Oct 11, 2007

do not give them Benadryl.

Thanks TW. I didn't even know you could give infants Benadryl. So I wouldn't have. I can't remember what I did with my kids regarding all this, but I know I gave them the tylenol with the fevers to keep those down. That may have been it.

Since it's been a while for me dealing with this, I don't recall the cold meds. In fact I'm pretty sure the shelves are lined with alot more now than I had access to then. When Ethan had his temp, I was bowled over with the long shelf filled with so many choices and opted just for the baby tylenol even tho we were pretty sure he was getting a cold.

I never heard of Hylands Teething Tables (tablets?).

KFC: My doctor actually did a little math formula for me at her check-ups so I would have the proper dosage for her. I have a dr friend that might be able to share it with me if you want it.

Yes, that would be good. How heavy is your baby now? Ethan like I said is quite close to that 25lb range on the box even tho only 11 1/2 months old.

AngelaMarie88

on Oct 12, 2007

Hmm. Thanks for sharing this.

I think my eternal cynicism would've saved my baby in this case anyway because I don't believe in cold medicines. Colds aren't curable. I believe in letting them run their course.

Anyhow, I agree with Tex. When necessary I use Ocean for li'l April (it was prescribed) and then suck out the yuck.

lifehappens

on Oct 12, 2007

Hylands Teething Tables contain Belladonna. If you give your baby the tablets, do not give them Benadryl. The combo of the two is FATAL

According to the website.... Belladonna is an ingredient in the tablets, which in large amounts could be toxic, but in minute amounts, homeopathic Belladonna helps the body to heal and would never be toxic to your baby. Even if your baby accidentally swallowed an entire bottle of Hyland's Teething Tablets, there is little chance of experiencing side effects. The homeopathic approach allows for a very large margin of safety. Hyland's Teething Tablets carry no risk of overdose or side effects. In fact, they can be used safely with other pain medicines. ....We can be reached at 800/624-9659.

I could not find any information on the web (in 5 min) about the combo dangers. Do you have a website that lists contraindications? I only found a contraindication for Benadryl and Belladonna Alkaloids, which is not the same thing as in the teething tablets. It's used to treat stomach ulcers etc.

I'm not trying to be contrary, I'm just wondering where you got the info so I can bookmark it. thanks.

lifehappens

on Oct 12, 2007

Oh and on the actual article.....

From 2004 to 2005, an estimated 1,519 children younger than 2 were treated in emergency rooms ...Many of these children were harmed after their parents mistakenly gave them too much, either because they did not realize that products from two different makers contained identical medicine, or the parents measured doses poorly. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association maintained that the medicines are safe and effective when used as directed. It planned to conduct a multiyear campaign to educate parents and doctors on proper use.

hmmmm. Parents overdose children. The medicine must be a danger to everyone and be pulled off the shelves! Why does the logic seem missing? Shouldn't we be more concerned that PARENTS are idiots? The medicine itself was not a danger....stupid parents were.

Typical society....stupid people do stupid things so EVERYONE must be stupid and the government MUST protect us.....*ohhhhhhh* (Insert spooky music here)
Actually, they are considering removing decongest./antihist. from shelves because the effectiveness has been questioned, but that would be a completely different situation than what they are presenting this as...."removing the items because they are dangerous...there could be overdosing".

Tova7

on Oct 12, 2007

I think my eternal cynicism would've saved my baby in this case anyway because I don't believe in cold medicines. Colds aren't curable. I believe in letting them run their course.

Haven't seen ya much Angela or woulda mentioned you in the title too.

The decongestant was the thing I wanted to work for my little man so he could breath. Not the kind of thing you can suction out. But now I probably would try to make due with a humidifier and Vick's vapor rub for kids.

I think your instincts are right on.

JillUser

on Oct 12, 2007

hmmmm. Parents overdose children. The medicine must be a danger to everyone and be pulled off the shelves! Why does the logic seem missing? Shouldn't we be more concerned that PARENTS are idiots? The medicine itself was not a danger....stupid parents were.

Yeah, that's why I didn't freak when I saw this on the internet the other day. They aren't recalling products because they are faulty, they are merely making them only available at the pharmacy counter so the pharmicist can instruct stupid people not to over dose their babies.

Ashley has never been given anything other than infant Tylenol or Infant motrin and that was only once because she had a fever after getting her 1yr immunizations. Even then it was according to the pediatrician's recommendation. I've found the best thing for colds is a hot shower with steam and some Vicks. I don't use cold medicines on babies but have used children's cough medicine because the poor boys would lay awake coughing all night otherwise.

Texas Wahine

on Oct 12, 2007

LH, I got my info from a doctor friend.

She said DO NOT MIX the two.

I don't give infants Benadryl anyways.

Belladonna's other name is Deadly Night Shade, BTW.

Tova7

on Oct 12, 2007

Yeah, that's why I didn't freak when I saw this on the internet the other day.

I am glad you saw it. I must be behind in the news because I just heard it yesterday.

Belladonna's other name is Deadly Night Shade, BTW.

Wow, that sounds like something I may use in my Cade series. It sounds wicked.

Jythier

on Oct 13, 2007

Hylands Teething Tablets are great, though. Working for both my kids as far as I can tell.

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