Cough syrup dangers

Health Canada is expected to issue an advisory warning people not to give over-the-counter cold and cough medications to children under two and adjust labels to reflect the concerns, CBC News has learned.

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The warning, which will come within days, follows an American study that says the medications have a questionable benefit and, in some cases, could be dangerous.

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Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration completed an internal review of serious and life-threatening effects and deaths in young children dating back to 1969.

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It found 54 deaths related to decongestants and another 69 related to the use of antihistamines. In many cases, the child was given the wrong amount of medication. Thousands more wound up requiring medical attention.

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"All medications have risks ... and that's no less true of cough and cold medications than any other category," said Gerry Harrington, a spokesperson for the Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association of Canada.

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A physician with the Canadian Paediatric Society's drug therapy committee says there is growing concern about the potential dangers the drugs pose.

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"Because of what they are used for, the symptomatic relief of common cold, any risk is unacceptable. So risk of death would be unacceptable in babies," said Dr. Michael Reider.

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"Let's send a clear message: it won't make them feel better and there may be some risk. Don't use it."

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U.S. drug regulators are reviewing the safety of cough and cold remedies. In a written statement, Health Canada said it's aware of the American review and is conducting its own assessment of the safety of these products.

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Canada's non-prescription drug industry has confirmed it will change its labelling to warn against use in children under the age of two, but says it wants more study into the issue.

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Reider said he'd like to see other changes to advertising imagery.

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"So that the manufacturers do not show pictures of little babies, because it gives the impression they are safe and effective," said Reider.

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Earlier this year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised parents against giving over-the-counter cough or cold medicines to children under two years old.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics first advised parents in 1997 about the risks of complications and overdose potential with certain cough suppressants.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• cough
• syrup
• Pediatrics
• warning
• cbc
• mediascrape

[singerwithkunai]

You fucking idiots really need to learn to EROWID.

If you're gonna talk about drugs in any negative way,you had better have either done them or at least read up more than just the biased news .

you people are fucking inconceivable.

Its like a farm of pseudo-intellectual fucktards.

[dknight416]

rip Pimp C... UGK 4 life

[Ataxia47]

@KripDrip In my opinion it depends on the drug. It IS ok to get high, people have been doing it for 1000s of years on natural psychedelics (mushrooms, mescaline, DMT) and there's nothing wrong with getting high. Getting high on the following drugs has never killed anybody or made them go crazy, don't listen to all the bullshit people tell you. LSD has been known to cause psychosis in long term users but then again, LSD is a synthetic chemical. If you stick to natural stuff you're fine.

[KripDrip]

so your saying that drugs are good and its ok to get high?

[AlexIsTheBest0428]

Goddamn lil wayne..u take me to the weirdest videos

[imaginaryday11]

Speaking of scary cough syrups, ya'll check out the new vid "Prank Call 666 Cold Medicine" at HaanZFilms here on YT...pranking the popular 100-year old maker of "666 Cold" the most Satanic of ALL cough syrups! You won't believe the company owner's response! OMG! Thanks for the post!

[tyroneuva1]

YOU FORGOT TWO MENTION SOME CONTAIN MORPHINE OR CODIEN IF YOU TAKE THE WHOLE BOTTLE YOU GET HIGH or if a child drinks it they will die

there one that contains 20mlg morphine and you can get it over the counter in the uk

[GhibliFan1]

All the toddlers are on the purple drank... way to go, tiny dudes!

[No1HasSwaggLikeMe]

Sippin on some Sizzurp;)

RIP Pimp C, Big Moe, Dj Skrew

[75pounder]

Well now i know what ones too get thanks!

[FitterHappierOk]

One 3oz bottle of 12 hour delsym had me tripping BALLS! It was an insanely intense experience, nearly fell completely apart, and I am very experienced with psychadelics... Not a trashy high either in my opinion, have no regrets of doing it, in fact it ended up being a very profound spiritual experience for me.