Cough/Cold/Allergy Medicines
Recently the FDA has been reviewing the safety and efficacy of antihistamine/decongestant medications (Cold/Cough/Allergy medications) in children under 2 years of age. It has been known for a long time that serious side effects can be caused by these medications if not used carefully and that they are of questionable efficacy. In anticipation of action by the FDA, the major manufacturers of these products have voluntarily withdrawn them from stores and will change the labeling on products for patients older than 2 to read: under 2 years-DO NOT USE.
Therapy for the discomforts of colds in children under 2 are the time honored normal saline nose drops, gentle suctioning with a bulb syringe; sleeping in a more upright position; humidifying the bedroom air in the winter months when relative humidity is low and the appropriate doses of acetominophen and/or ibuprofen in patients over 6 months of age for fever >101°F.