The FDA now recommends that parents of children under the age of six refrain from giving them over-the-counter cold medication. Earlier this year, the FDA completed a review that found that between 1969 and the fall of 2006, there were 54 reported child deaths from decongestants and 69 from antihistamines. Most of the deaths occurred in children under the age of two.

So what does this mean for families caring for sick kids under the age of six? The American Academy of Pediatrics, who supports the FDA’s decision, to pull those products, says, “These medicines are ineffective and can have serious side effects. There are other ways to treat cold symptoms.”

The AAP suggests:

• Moisturizing the air with a vaporizer or hydrator
• Using saltwater nose drops to dry up a runny nose
• Using a rubber nose bulb to clear up congestion
• Feeding the child chicken soup
• Consulting with a pediatrician

These cold medicines are currently being tested for their effectiveness and level of danger to young children, but the results make take years to finalize.
No parent wants to think that they caused their child harm, so in the interim it is best to keep cold remedies simple – and when in doubt visit your pediatrician!

Being healthy can also significantly reduce health insurance costs. IBD is an authorized agency for BCBSNC and our goal is to provide you with the most options for affordable health care in NC. Working together, we can succeed in optimizing your health and your health care costs!

Tags: Healthy Living //