Ahead of the Bell: Children's Medicines |
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Fri, 02 Mar 2007 14:44
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NEW YORK (AP) - The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing the safety of children's cough and cold medicines after physicians and health officials said the remedies are dangerous for children under 6.The New York Times reported Friday the agency will review the effectiveness of such medicines, some of which were approved decades ago under lower FDA standards. Physicians said the FDA should not recommend the products for children younger than 6, as the medicines do not work and can be dangerous.In January, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that in 2004 and 2005, 1,519 children younger than 2 were treated in emergency rooms for side effects or overdoses of cold and cough medicine. Three infants died, and medical examiners concluded the deaths were the result of the medication.The CDC said there are no FDA guidelines for giving the medications to young children, and it is not known what dose levels could be dangerous. The agency also said negative effects are rare, but there is not much evidence that the drugs are effective. It recommended parents consult a doctor before giving the medicines to children under 2.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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