Pseudoephedrine, Sudafed and Children's Decongestants
Reports link common decongestant ingredient Pseudoephedrine with infant deaths. Pseudoephedrine stimulates the nasal passages and relieves nasal congestion in colds and allergies. Sudafed is the most common over-the-counter drug containing Pseudoephedrine.
Adverse side effects with Pseudoephedrine include nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, painful urination, dizziness, heart palpitations, headache, increased sweating, nausea/vomiting, trembling, troubled breathing, and weakness.
Health officials and medical professionals throughout the country are investigating children's deaths and checking for over-the-counter decongestant drugs in the blood stream. Since children and infants are more susceptible to the medication's side effects and accidental overdose, professionals advise parents to seek medical guidance when administering pseudoephedrine. The National Institutes of Health makes a note that extended-release pseudoephedrine tablets should not be given to children under 12 years old.
Other over-the-counter drugs containing Pseudoephedrine, include Dimetapp Decongestant Infant Drops, Drixoral Nasal Decongestant, Pedia Relief, PediaCare Infants' Oral Decongestant Drops, Simply Stuffy, Triaminic, Suphedrin, and multiple versions of Sudafed and Sudafed Children's.
Pseudoephedrine is similar in chemical structure with Ephedrine, the popular diet drug known for many negative side effects.
Pseudoephedrine in the News
AUG-16-07 Parents Warned Cough Medicines Imperil Infants. The FDA recently warned parents never to give cough or cold medicines to children under the age of two, unless instructed to do so by a doctor. Such medicines have been blamed for hundreds of adverse reactions and a handful of deaths in children under the age of two. [NEW YORK TIMES: COUGH AND COLD]DEC-07-05 Health officials warn parents of giving their children decongestants after linking infant deaths with pseudoephedrine. The investigations found varying quantities of pseudoephedrine in 13 Philadelphia infants who died over a multiple year timeframe. [
Medical professionals advise against administering oral pseudoephedrine to young children and infants due to reports of a 3 year old child hallucinating after receiving the 20 mg doses of pseudoephedrine. The child was taken to the hospital after repeated hallucinations. [US PHARMACIST]
Register your Pseudoephedrine Complaint
If a loved one has died as a result of using pseudoephedrine, you may qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible class action lawsuit. Please fill in our form on the right to submit your complaint and we will have a lawyer review your wrongful death complaint.At LawyersandSettlements.com, it is our goal to keep you informed about important legal cases and settlements. We are dedicated to helping you resolve your legal complaints.
