Grasshopper New Media Presents...

As a new mother I often looked like death warmed over… no?!, really?! OK, we all did. That up every two hours schedule with a newborn can wreak havoc on one’s looks! Everyone said, “You need to get him to sleep so you can!”

It wasn’t until we took our first big plane trip though, that I heard some advice on solving that issue that caused me some alarm. “Give him a little Dimetapp (Pediacare, Robotussin, etc) before your flight to put him to sleep”.
I have to admit, at first blush, that sounded like a good idea. During the flight that sounded like a great idea…but I hadn’t packed any! Now of course, that idea is off the table.

I expect that the previous statements will be met with horrified looks from some parents (I’d NEVER do that!) and some others with scorn, (“Oh for goodness sakes, what’s the big deal?). Either way… it’s probably not an option for most of us anymore since an FDA panel has recommended children’s medicines containing those great sleep enhancer, antihistamines, be removed from the market. (More about that here .)

While that is most likely a good idea, one FDA panel member expressed some concern which scares me to death.

Amy J. Celento-Stamateris, a patient’s representative on the panel from Nutley, N. J., said she was worried that a ban would lead parents to give their children products intended for adults, increasing the risks of overdoses.
“I’m not going to name names among my acquaintances,” Ms. Celento-Stamateris said. “But people do use these medications to make their children get some sleep.”

Actually, a lot of people use over-the-counter medicines to help their children get some sleep. One of main reasons for the recall of cold medicines for kids was that even using the children’s version of popular drugs, parents were simply giving incorrect and sometimes lethal doses. Now, with children’s versions of these drugs tougher to find…how many parents will just try to “guesstimate” how much to give of the adult version?

I fear we may see a new rash of overdoses unless a strong public information campaign warns parents of the dangers and offers some alternatives!

by MC Milker

[tags]kids, children, parents, parenting, medicine, Dimetapp, Pediacare, Robotussin, FDA, safety, accidental overdose, antihistamines[/tags]
Photo graciously provided by FredArmitage, through a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved