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"The FDA strongly recommends to parents and caregivers that OTC cough andcold medicines not be used for children younger than two," said CharlesGanley, M.D., director of the FDA's Office of Nonprescription Products, in theadvisory. "These medicines, which treat symptoms and not the underlyingcondition, have not been shown to be safe or effective in children under two."
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OTC cough and cold products include decongestants, expectorants,antihistamines, and cough suppressants. As a direct response to the FDA'sPublic Health Advisory, parents and caregivers are seeking natural cold relieftreatments for infants and children.
"Upper respiratory infections in babies are frequent reasons for parentsto visit urgent care centers and emergency rooms," said Elisa Silverstein,M.D., Attending Physician, Emergency Department, The Children's Mercy Hospitalof Kansas City. "Nasal congestion can be quite troubling especially in thevery young infant, prior to the ability to mouth breathe. The congestion cansignificantly impact the baby's ability to be breastfed or bottlefed. Aspediatricians, we have long recommended the use of saline drops such as BabyAyr followed by a bulb syringe as the best, safest way to help clear nasalpassages of the infant. Often times the doctor visit for the nasal congestionculminates in the instruction of this technique and the education thatdecongestants are not safe for the infant and child."
A cold usually lasts about a week. Symptoms include sneezing, coughing,runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat. Most of the time, a cold will go awayby itself. But for those parents and caregivers concerned about makinginfants and children feel more comfortable, saline nasal drops are aneffective alternative to the treatments the FDA cautions against.
About B.F. Ascher & Company
B.F. Ascher is a privately held over-the-counter healthcare companyengaged in the production and distribution of products developed to helpconsumers feel better. For more information or a media kit, contact BenKnopke at (800) 324-1880 or [email protected]
Sources
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01778.html
http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/coughcold011708.html
SOURCE B.F. Ascher & Company
