FDA pulls unapproved cold, cough meds from market...

[emtneel]

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/738277?sssdmh=dm1.669927&src=nl_newsalert

I prescribe Bromfed DM and C-phen for children some under 2 years of age. I try to explain to the parents that its not the best but parents want something to make their kid stop coughing! These meds actually don't help all that much anyways...

I guess i'll be left with Benadryl now that all the rest are being taken off the market... and just bulb suction with saline for those under 2 (which i recommend as best anyways!)

Its gonna be tough when you get a parent in the ER and I have to tell them sorry I can't give your kid anything... you just have to suffer through it. Which is best for the kid anyways instead of pumping them full of medications that don't really help all that much anyways... Parent's are going to be upset when they pay for me to give the kid tylenol...

Any other comments?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Wow!!

[emtneel]

its a long list, I've met with many of these drug reps before. I'm not really sure what "not FDA" approved means though...I didn't know it meant illegal? I never knew these meds were not FDA approved, and even then I would think it would mean "At your own risk."

The FDA though has demanded they stop production and stop shipping, so I assume we will not see these on the market unless they get FDA approved now.

[kyboyrn]

That's what is so hard about working in the ER sometimes. People don't like it when they bring their children into the ER and we see them and tell them that they should suction their nose and use saline...they always think their child should have some type of medication, or an antibiotic....they ALWAYS want an antibiotic. It's diffiicult to explain to a parent that it's better for their child to suffer through most times. I can actually understand, but as providers we do know better. It's really hard now to have anything to write for children with cough/cold symptoms!

[emtneel]

Its not just the ER though either. I work peds clinics as well, and its just the same...