Parents warned about medications for kids

Because several Franklin County children under the age of four have died in recent years from over-the-counter medications, Franklin County Coroner Jeffrey Conner is warning parents to be very careful in what they administer to youngsters.

He issued recommendations in conjunction with the Franklin County Child Death Review Team.

Parents and caregivers must be aware of the types of non-prescription medications that can be given to children and infants, especially as the cold and flu season approaches. Some medications formulated for older people have been the direct or indirect cause of death for small children.

Connor urges adults to read labels carefully. “Many of these medications contain additives for cold, flu and decongestants that are not meant for children under four. Follow the directions as printed by the manufacturer on the container.”

The practice of giving partial doses according to the age of the child is gone, he said. People should not give half of the recommended dosage to small children. Adults should contact their physicians if they have questions.

Parents are advised to throw out old cough and cold medicines labeled for children under the age of four, since drug manufacturing companies are voluntarily changing their labels on proper usage.

Conner added that Tylenol has also issued a recall on certain children’s and infant Tylenol manufactured between April and June 2008, because one inactive ingredient did not meet all quality standards. People may all a hotline at 1-800-962-5357 or go to www.tylenol.com to see if any products in their homes are subject to the recall.