By now you may have heard that the FDA recommends that over-the-counter cold and cough medicine not be used in children under 2 and they’re still debating on it’s use in children under 11. The reason is that serious life threatening side effects can occur. They sited that from 1969 to 2006, at least 54 children died after taking over the counter decongestants, and 69 died after taking over-the-counter antihistamines..

You may be asking why these medications were on the market to begin with. These were tested medications in adults. There were no tests done on young children. It was figured that these were safe to use and they could be given to children in smaller doses. One of these medications given in the proper dose will probably not cause any harm. The problem comes in giving too much of the medication or a combination of medications containing the same ingredients. This can cause an overdose.

Cold and cough medicines often contain 1 or more of the same or similar active ingredients. Since many cold medicines are multisymptom an example is 2 medications that contain an antihistamine. Another example would be if you are giving your child a cold medicine that lists acetaminophen or ibuprofen as an ingredient, do not give anything else containing these ingredients to reduce a fever.

If you choose to give any of these medications to your child you need to read the label thoroughly so you aren’t overdosing your child on any ingredients. You should only use the measuring cup or spoon provided with the medication. If in doubt ask your physician or pharmacist about any OTC medications for your child.

The following brands of cough and cold medicines that were voluntarily recalled by the manufacturers last year:

• Dimetapp Decongestant Plus Cough Infant Drops
• Dimetapp Decongestant Infant Drops
• Little Colds Decongestant Plus Cough
• Little Colds Multi-Symptom Cold Formula
• Pediacare Infant Drops Decongestant (containing pseudoephedrine)
• Pediacare Infant Drops Decongestant & Cough (containing pseudoephedrine)
• Pediacare Infant Dropper Decongestant (containing phenylephrine)
• Pediacare Infant Dropper Long-Acting Cough
• Pediacare Infant Dropper Decongestant & Cough (containing phenylephrine)
• Robitussin Infant Cough DM Drops
• Triaminic Infant & Toddler Thin Strips Decongestant
• Triaminic Infant & Toddler Thin Strips Decongestant Plus Cough
• Tylenol Concentrated Infants' Drops Plus Cold
• Tylenol Concentrated Infants' Drops Plus Cold & Cough