Retail Clinician CE Lesson Retail Clinician CE Lesson

IntroductIon Few medical issues are as contentious as determining the most effective and the safest treatment of cough and colds in children. Parents and caregivers know that antibiotics are not useful in treating viruses that are often the cause of these ailments. [1] They have turned, therefore, to overthe-counter (OTC) medications to relieve their children’s symptoms and have found more than 800 cough and cold medications, many of which are different drug combinations for the same symptoms. These drugs include antihistamines, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, cough suppressants and antipyretics/analgesics. Manufacturers spend more than $50 million annually in marketing these products and more than 95 million packages are sold each year for use in children. [2] Still, the question remains — are children’s colds and cough helped by these agents? The most recent action on the use of OTC cough and cold medications in children was taken Oct. 7, 2008, by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA). The trade organization ordered revised labeling of oral OTC pediatric cough and cold medicines to state “do not use” in children under 4 years of age. Additionally, for products containing certain antihistamines, manufacturers will add new language that warns parents not to use antihistamine products to sedate a child. [3] The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicated support for the changes but will continue its re-evaluation of the safety and efficacy of OTC cold and cough medications in children, regardless of their age. [4]