Important Information from CNN regarging cold medicines....

[dsmommy]

Just thought I would pass this along.  My husband just sent this to me.  Apparently they have determined cold medicines not to be safe for children under 2 and possibly older............

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/01/16/cold.medicines.ap/index.html

Dottie
24wks (boy/girl twins)

[tahariel]

Even vaccines can be scary too. My first had a horrible reaction to the prevnar (ear infection/meningitis - I think) vaccine, 2nd baby no problem. However, 2nd baby had a horrible reaction to the chicken pox vaccine that landed her in the emergency room early the next morning because her peditrician's office wasn't open yet.  We found out afterwards that the chicken pox vaccine was optional and not required until Kindergarten. Note to self . . . no more "optional vaccines" unless absolutely necessary!

[lhughes]

I so agree with you, if something you give a child doesn't work or God-forbid has a bad effect, even one like a bloody nose, then you are right, mark that drug or whatever off the list of things to give your child.  There used to be so many options and now there are ?????

I guess I just have issues with the Feds inforcing something on EVERYONE when only a few use things improperly,  I guess it's the way of the world now, but I still don't have to like it.

I just hope they don't take the children's stuff off the market.  If they are THAT worried about it, then make it prescription again.  I usually end up at the pediatrician (or at least calling the nurse) before doing anything, anyway.

Forgive my earlier post if it was a bit harsh.  It's one of my hot buttons.

[tahariel]

I agree too. When used correctly, the otc medicines really help. They took a large batch of decongestants off the market because people were figuring out how to make them into narcotic drugs. So now, those of us who used them correctly suffer. My first child never had problems with correctly used medicines, however, my 2nd, at 1 year old, had a bloody nose after one dose of infant decongestant during a rather bad cold virus. Coincidence or not, it scared the **** out of me, so I haven't given her a decongestant since.

[tricia448]

i have to agree with lhughes...as long as followed correctly it should be fine. i know they recently took all over the counter cough and decongestants off the shelves...which if abused and not following the directions correctly could be lethal.  i did see on the 11 oclock news last night about some camphor product...you rub it on the body...caused this womans 3 childrens to have regular seizures over the years...my son is  2 1/2 and i always checked with pediatrician before giving him anything.....i think its the safest ways...never assume anything...

[lhughes]

I'll have to toss in my 2 cents on this...

If used correctly, and correctly is the key there, these drugs are just as safe for babies as they are for adults.  Now I didn't go using anything without the blessing of my pediatrician.  And I don't overuse medicine when not needed.  And I'll have to say that some of that stuff that they took off the market worked really well for some really nasty stuff that both my kids got into before they were two.  I don't know if I could have stood to see them suffer without something to help ease their symptoms.

Sorry, I'll get off my soap box now.  

Lisa