So it has finally come out to general population that using over-the-counter cough and cold medicine is potentially dangerous for kids under 2. I say finally because I have wondered why it is on the shelves to begin with. After being advised by my daughter’s pediatrician not to use it, I was curious why it was being sold.
When she was 13 months old, she had a terrible cough, runny nose, sleepless nights- the whole thing. I wanted to make things better for her, I thought the best way would be to give her some cold medicine I had seen advertised on TV for infants. I went to the pharmacy and bought a pack of the Triaminic Infant & Toddler Thin Strips Decongestant Plus Cough. At home, I read the package which advised me to consult a physician for dosage information. I called the doctor and asked. His response was “Don’t use it, it’s best to return it to the store.” I was surprised, but he explained that he didn’t feel that they were safe for infants or toddlers. He said to stick to using saline nose spray, the suction bulb and lots of fluids. I trusted his opinion and his strong recommendation against the medicines. So I returned it but worried a bit about all the people who were going to buy it and not call their doctors and worse, might accidentally overdose their baby.
That was almost a year ago, and now they are being taken off the shelf, and I feel better that the option is gone- the question won’t be bugging someone at 3 a.m. with a sick child on their lap, what should the dosage be?
Information on treating infants and toddlers with colds
Click here to read an article on the descision to remove the medicines.
I can totally see you laying awake at 3AM thinking about that!