Stricter Warnings For Child Cold Medication

Jamie G. Goldstein

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 626

0 CommentsPrint ArticleSubscribe

Public health officials and pediatricians are among those who are pushing the government to add stricter warnings to child cold medicine. Currently many products have warnings, but the warnings are not sufficient and often the advertising that accompanies the packaging is misleading to consumers. The number of children overdosing on cold medication is astounding. In Maryland alone, approximately 900 children age 4 and younger overdosed on cold medication in 2004.

Part of the problem is that the warnings are not consistent with the packaging. Many of the warnings state that children under 2 should not be given the medication, however, the advertising on the package shows an infant. This clearly could be misunderstood by someone administering the medication that the medication is in fact appropriate for a baby. But this is not the only problem. Many doctors are saying that children as old as 5 should not be given this type of medication without a doctor consult first because of the risks. The risk of overdose and/or death is so high that its time the government and FDA take a good long look at the warnings on these medications.