(NaturalNews) Parents in Australia will now need a prescription to buy cough and cold syrups for any child under two. This is because of findings that the syrups are of little benefit in soothing coughs and of the potential harm. As a result, the National Drugs and Poisons Scheduling Committee have decided to reschedule the drugs. (1)
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has supported the move and has also taken notice of findings in the U.K. and the U.S. of possible safety issues when cough or cold syrups are used inappropriately or when they are given in doses greater than the recommended. Possible side effects include insomnia, hallucinations, agitation and over-sedation.
Parents believe that using the syrups to help their child sleep is good for them. However this has been criticised by pediatrician Dr. Madlen Gazarian who does not believe in using the syrups to put children to sleep. She supported the findings of the committee that there were no clear benefits in using the syrups and therefore that the risks override the benefits. (2)
Dr. Gazarian, of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, says that using the syrups do not treat the underlying symptoms of coughs and colds. She said most cough and colds were due to viral illnesses and that ensuring the child had rest and plenty of liquids was important for recovery.
Another problem in using the syrups is that they have sedative effects and can mask signs of serious illness. Such signs include drowsiness and so the use of the syrups can delay recognition of the need for prompt treatment.
Brands of cough and cold syrups affected by the rescheduling include Dimetapp, Demazin, Actifed and Benadryl.
Recognition by the committee of the need to restrict access to cough and cold syrups follows the U.S. FDA warning in January this year to parents not to use such syrups for children under 2. This was due to adverse reactions including convulsions, rapid heart beat and death. US Centre for Disease Control found that were over 1500 emergency hospitalisations as well as three deaths among young children. (1)
The Director of respiratory medicine at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Colin Robertson, said that the syrups should be completely withdrawn and expressed concern on the use of the syrups for children over 2. (1)
All this has taken a long time. Mike Adams back in 2004 wrote that cough syrup is “medically useless” and claimed that they existed purely to make profits. (3)
Dimetapp, a brand of Wyeth Consumer Healthcare (www.wyethconsumer.com.au) lists ingredients sodium benzoate, saccharin sodium, alcohol, sorbitol (16.8g/40mL), warning that sorbitol may have a laxative effect or cause diarrhoea, and elsewhere claims that Dimetapp contains a decongestant containing phenylephrine (www.dimetapp.com.au) .
Saccharin is an artificial sweetner and has been linked to cancers, and sorbitol, which is a polyol, can affect the intestines as pointed out by Cathy Sherman (www.naturalnews.com/022650.html) .
A list of natural recipes to treat children's coughs and colds is given by Leslee Dru Browning on the NaturalNews site (www.naturalnews.com/022372.html) .
The medical advice is that the cough and cold syrups are ineffective which means there is no reason to use them. Look for safer ways to ease the symptoms of coughs and colds in your children and consider preventative methods to build stronger immune systems.
References:
1. ((www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,2...)
2. Sydney Morning Herald Thursday April 10, 2008 (smh.com.au)
3. (www.naturalnews.com/001275.html)
About the authorLynn Berry loves good food and cooking and is passionate about nutrition and natural health care. She has a website promoting healthy eating at www.low-calorie-vegetarian-recipe.com.
###
Related Articles
• The common cold is no match for natural healing therapies: minerals, herbs and foods stave off colds and flus
• Raise Your Immunity Frequency With Essential Oils to Beat the Common Cold
• A walk a day keeps the colds away, study finds
• How to Beat and Prevent the Avian Flu and Other Influenzas
• Product review: Power Immune anti-viral tincture from Fitura
 |
Additional Resources:
colds
sorbitol
parents
|
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
 Email this article to a friend
 Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/023028.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
 Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
 Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
 |
 |
NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more. |
 |
Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more. |
Featured Videos
Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now... |
Adderall vs. Meth
Feeding the young
HPV Vaccine Texas Tyranny
|
|
Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read. |
|
Printable Version
