Cold medicine products for infants pulled due to overdose risk

[demiris]

The article from CNN is located here: http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/10/11/infant.drugs/index.html (I'm not allowed to post the text here because of copyright.)

I will post their list of the medicines because it's public knowledge. The article also says that CVS said they will refund for these products if they are returned (most likely with a receipt)


Dimetapp

* Decongestant Plus Cough Infant Drops
* Decongestant Infant Drops

Little Colds

* Decongestant Plus Cough
* Multi-Symptom Cold Formula

Pediacare

* Infant Drops Decongestant (containing pseudoephedrine)
* Infant Drops Decongestant & Cough (containing pseudoephedrine)
* Infant Dropper Decongestant (containing phenylephrine)
* Infant Dropper Long-Acting Cough
* Infant Dropper Decongestant & Cough (containing phenylephrine)

Robitussin

* Infant Cough DM Drops

Triaminic

* Infant & Toddler Thin Strips Decongestant
* Infant & Toddler Thin Strips Decongestant Plus Cough

Tylenol

* Concentrated Infants' Drops Plus Cold
* Concentrated Infants' Drops Plus Cold & Cough

[barbyq2000]

After reading the article im a little confused. I always call our doctor but the first thing he says to do is give them something to bring the fever down. All 3 of my girls have been hospitalized for febrile seizures from fevers which could be why he does it this way.

I guess my question is are they only recalling it because of the health risks caused by overdose or is there something wrong with the meds itself? (its ok just call me clueless but I do have a half used bottle from last months round of colds)

[jessL]

I'm a little confused too. I thought infant tylanol was specifically made for infants which by definition are under the age of two? who else would you use them for?

[brit83]

On ABC news tonight they said that the recall is for the meds w/decongestant and cough & cold medicines because they have never been tested on younger children and they have never been proven to help children under 2yrs. They are keeping Tylenol and Motrin available for fever reducers only so they did not pull the regular Tylenol or Motrin where there are no decongestant or cough and cold medicines added.

[dmorrison11]

There is more information available on the Tylenol website and also at the bottom of the section there is a link to print a $5 coupon for Tylenol type products to replace what you have in your medicine cabinets for your child. I have disgarded my bottles already.

Here's the link http://www.tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subpcccoldmed.inc

Dana

[shellybean40]

My coupon only printed for $1.00. :(

Shelly

[dmorrison11]

Shelly

The link says "download coupon" a red button at the bottom under this paragraph

"We realize these changes may be inconvenient for you, and we are happy to provide a valuable coupon to use on one of several products of your choice."

Call 1-877-895-3665 or download coupon

[Luvmykiddos]

Shelly

The link says "download coupon" a red button at the bottom under this paragraph

"We realize these changes may be inconvenient for you, and we are happy to provide a valuable coupon to use on one of several products of your choice."

Call 1-877-895-3665 or download coupon


Thanks! I also missed this the first time I looked at their site. The $1.00 coupon is off on the right side...the $5.00 coupon is as the above poster mentioned.

Unfortunately for me, I have a cabinet full of the recalled products. I hope CVS will refund the money I spent. I don't have receipts anymore and some of the products are open and half used but others are still in their boxes unopened. Guess I'll have to go up there and see if I can get any of my money back.

[demiris]

Yes, it's the infant products plus cold medicines that are being recalled. The plain old fever reducers (acetaminophen and ibuprofen) are fine and not subject to the recall.

My husband really questions this whole thing, because we have used the types of medicines when necessary with both of our boys since they were born. I do have some of the tylenol cold infant's formula left, and I will probably just put it away for now. I think the whole thing is not explained well enough as to why this is happening.

ETA: I found another article that more clearly explains the reasons behind this. I'm hopeful we'll find out more soon! http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/Drugs/story?id=3718265&page=1

[barbyq2000]

Last August, the FDA issued a public health advisory declaring that children under 2 shouldn't be given these remedies without a pediatrician's order due to the risk of serious adverse effects, including death. (from the abc news link)

Any meds for children under the age of 2 say to call the doctor before giving it to them.

The thing that gets me is that now the only way to get meds will be through a prescription which some people just can't afford. Right now if I call my doctor and he says to give my daughter something the call is free but he can't give her a script without seeing her. :(

[savinmama]

I also don't get the whole 'under age 2' thing. When I was working as a Pedi RN we gave med recommendations based on patients weight not just age. So, my son is very small for his age, even though he is over age 2. I think the dosing instructions need to reflect the weight of children and not just age.

It's for this reason I always call his Dr. before giving him anything b/c the dosage is always different than what is on the label.

[demiris]

Great point, savinmama!

I've always had the opposite issue. My sons were both 95th percentile for height and 75th-90th weight, so it's been a concern in many ways (medicine, food, car seats, etc).