A new research shows that children are more likely to experience serious side effects from taking prescription cough and cold medicines that contain the opioid, hydrocodone.
It supports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's recent decision to restrict the use of a cough and cold medication containing hydrocodone and codeine among children.
The New Research
The new research began when Dr. Ian Paul, a physician and professor of pediatrics and public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine, and his colleagues at the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center in Denver stumbled upon information while they were working on a safety surveillance project.
From this surveillance project, the researchers discovered that children who had taken a cough and cold medicine experienced serious side effects. They also noted that a large number of these incidents were more likely to be associated with prescription medications containing hydrocodone.
Based on these data, the researchers then tried to examine incidents in children under the age of 12 that were related to a cough and cold medication. These medications include an over-the-counter ingredient and an opioid.
Findings: Hydrocodone More Concerning Than Codeine
The researchers found 98 cases between years 2008 and 2015. The majority of the cases, they said, involved medicines that were either prescribed to children or were accidentally taken.
The sedative sensation of opioids, along with lethargy and drowsiness, has been observed more in children who ingested hydrocodone than in those who took codeine. The difference between the two is around 86 percent for hydrocodone and 61 percent for codeine.
In conclusion, Paul said that taking cough and cold medications containing hydrocodone appears to be more concerning compared to ingesting medication containing codeine.
"Healthcare providers should never prescribe opioid-containing cough and cold products to children. Ever." said Paul.
Do Children Need Prescription Medicines For Cold?
According to the researchers, children actually don't need any prescription medicines for their cold. Paul said that colds usually resolve on their own eventually.
"Supportive measures, like using non-aspirin pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can help a child's comfort. There's some evidence that honey is effective for children one year of age and older and that topical vapor rub can be used for children ages two and up. And they can use nasal saline and humidified air to help a child get through the illness." Paul continued.
The study was published in the journal Clinical Toxicology.
