SYNOPSIS
Over-the-counter medications are often taken by adults, and given to children, to relieve minor ailments. Despite being
freely available from a pharmacy or supermarket, many preparations are of unproven benefit. Some have the potential for
harm, especially in the young. Health professionals, as well as parents, have a responsibility to be cautious about giving
drugs to children.
Introduction
The use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications has become commonplace in Australia. Not only do we, as adults, frequently
medicate ourselves with OTC preparations, we give them to our children. The health professions and the community at large
often assume that, because these drugs are not regulated by prescription, they are safe, even in overdose. However, the
truth may be somewhat more sinister. While some are harmless placebos, others may be causing much more harm than good.
Even the ubiquitous paracetamol may slow the body�s response to viral infections and, in overdose, it can result in liver
failure. Health professionals need to know about the efficacy and safety of OTC preparations in as much detail as they
do about prescription medications. All too often, practitioners will recommend a preparation without sufficient knowledge
of its potentially serious adverse effects or the evidence (or lack of) for its use.
Medicines in children
There are fundamental differences between children and adults. Previous generations have treated children as small adults,
often with dire consequences.1 Drug regulatory history is littered with therapeutic
misadventure involving children.2 Nowhere is this plainer than in the story of Reye�s
syndrome and its association with aspirin, previously thought to be a useful and safe OTC medication for children.
Sugar-free preparations: Much is made of the importance of sugar-free preparations in the marketing
of medicines for children. There is a general concern in the community about the effects of sugars upon children�s behaviour.
However, the only objective harmful effects of sugar are related to the development of dental caries and childhood obesity.
Some preparations contain excipients which can be harmful to children with inborn errors of metabolism, e.g. phenylketonuria
(PKU).
Decongestants
There is little evidence for the use of either local or systemic decongestants in the symptomatic relief of viral infections.
However, they are widely promoted for relieving the symptoms of cold and influenza.
Oral decongestants: A large number of OTC preparations include decongestants. These may be helpful
for symptomatic relief of the symptoms associated with viral illnesses. However, prescribers should be aware that many
preparations have age restrictions and some are contraindicated in children less than two years old. Often this group
of medications is given by parents for their sedative properties. Occasionally, however, children react paradoxically
with hyperactivity. Parents should be warned that this effect may last several hours and that further attempts at chemical
restraint may only prolong the reaction. Promethazine is worthy of special mention. Although it is sedating and is used
as a remedy for many ailments in children, it can cause paradoxical reactions with hyperactivity in toddlers. Children
with epilepsy should use promethazine with caution as it may precipitate seizures. The product information also specifically
warns against giving the drug to children under two years old, as its use has been linked to sudden infant death syndrome.
3
Nasal decongestants: Topical nasal vasoconstrictors have been recommended in the past for babies and
children with nasal congestion. In the short term, they will result in the clearing of the nasal passages. Unfortunately,
tachyphylaxis may occur after a few days of regular use, and rebound nasal congestion can occur after cessation of the
medication. In general, these formulations should be avoided. Intranasal saline solution is a safer alternative (for example
0.5 ml per nostril, one nostril at a time), however, it should be prewarmed to room temperature (for example in the parent�s
hands) in case the infant has a particularly sensitive diving reflex leading to bradycardia.
Antitussives
Cough is a common symptom in childhood and is usually related to viral bronchitis and upper respiratory infections.
These conditions are self-limiting and the cough probably serves a useful function in clearing mucus and preventing
secondary infection. If a cough is particularly troublesome, other diagnoses should be considered before using an antitussive.
Most cough medicines contain a mucolytic, antitussive, decongestant or some combination of these. The only proven antitussives
are those containing opioids such as dextromethorphan and codeine. These work by suppressing the cough reflex centrally.
Paediatricians do not recommend the routine use of these drugs. Overdose can cause drowsiness.
Analgesics and antipyretics
Paracetamol: Paracetamol is often overused in the treatment of childhood fever4 and
there is a danger of liver toxicity.5 In spite of these concerns, it should still
be considered as first-line treatment for analgesia in children.
Aspirin: Aspirin is contraindicated in children less than 12 years old. Although it is a well-documented
analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic, it has a strong association with Reye�s syndrome. Now that the use of aspirin
in children has all but ceased, Reye�s syndrome has disappeared.6
Ibuprofen: Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which has recently been marketed as
an OTC preparation for children. Its efficacy is probably similar to that of paracetamol and it is currently used as an
alternative to paracetamol for the management of pain and fever. While the drugs have similar safety profiles, ibuprofen
is associated with a slightly increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, even at the low doses used in OTC formulations.
7 There
have also been reports of renal toxicity and aspirin-like sensitivity reactions. There is limited experience with this
drug in Australia.
Teething gels
An assortment of gels are commonly recommended for relieving the pain and discomfort of teething. While there are complications
associated with teething, including drooling, teething gels have failed to demonstrate any specific benefit. It may be
that the observed therapeutic effect is related to the actual gum massage. The gels commonly contain salicylic acid, lignocaine,
tannic acid, menthol, thymol, glycerol and up to 40% ethanol. Some of these substances have the potential to be harmful
in overdose, however teething gels are safe if used as recommended.
Topical applications
Topical moisturising creams and ointments are among the commonest preparations used by parents on their children. However,
they are often not considered �medications� and may not be reported to their physician. Fortunately, most of these products
are emollients which can be safely applied to the face and body, and systemic absorption is minimal. They are particularly
useful for dry skin and for atopic eczema. In general, ointments are best for dry skin while creams are used for moist
lesions. For atopic eczema, aqueous creams should be applied at least three times a day to all the affected skin. The
creams can be used with steroid-containing ointments. They can be used as alternatives to soap for washing, and should
also be applied within three minutes of finishing a bath, to the whole body, and face. For very dry lesions, ointments
may be more appropriate for trapping moisture in the skin. This can be achieved by adding 10% olive oil or 10% liquid
paraffin to the aqueous cream. In severe eczema, especially if it wakes the child or if there is persistent redness or
itching, wet dressings may be appropriate. An alternative is the application of a mixture of 50% liquid paraffin and 50%
white soft paraffin (made up by the pharmacist). Adverse effects are uncommon, but some children experience stinging,
and blocked pores or pimples and may require temporary discontinuation of the treatment.
Topical steroids: Most of the useful topical steroids are prescription medicines. However, low-potency
preparations containing 0.5% hydrocortisone are available OTC. These preparations can be a useful adjunct to moisturisers
in cases of mild eczema. Before recommending hydrocortisone a specific diagnosis should be made, and conditions exacerbated
by steroids, such as fungal infections, should be excluded. Parents should be advised to seek early review if the treated
skin condition fails to respond or worsens.
Antifungal drugs: Infants and children are prone to a range of fungal infestations. Oral infection
or secondary infection of nappy rash by Candida albicans is common. Topical antifungal drugs such as nystatin or miconazole
cream are effective, but need to be continued for a few days after clinical resolution. Ringworm can occur anywhere on
the body and is caused by a range of dermatophytes. The diagnosis can be confirmed by microscopy and culture of skin scrapings.
Most cases in children can be treated with topical antifungals such as miconazole. Terbinafine cream is very effective
in adults, but is not currently recommended for use in children. Resistant cases, or those involving the scalp or nails,
may require systemic therapy.
Rehydrating fluids
One of the great advances in the treatment of gastroenteritis has been the recognition that appropriate oral rehydration
is the best form of therapy. Balanced electrolyte solutions can easily be prepared by parents, but the instructions should
be carefully followed as over-concentrated solutions can cause osmotic diarrhoea. Compliance may be enhanced by the use
of one of the flavoured solutions and by pre-chilling the drink.
Anticolic preparations
Persistent crying, or �colic� is common in the first three months. Any suspicions of underlying organic disease, especially
of the gastrointestinal (failure to thrive) or urinary tract (fever), should be investigated and excluded before making
the diagnosis of colic. Colic has not been proved to be due to �wind� or �gas� and may well be a normal developmental
phase for many infants. The currently available products contain either simethicone (an anti-gas agent) or a combination
of anticholinergics, but none of these has been shown to be effective. In the majority of cases, clinical exclusion of
serious pathology and parental reassurance and support is all that is required. However, in severe cases, parental distress
exceeds the infant�s distress and an effective treatment regimen may include either in-patient or out-patient attendance
at a mother/baby unit
Treatments for reflux
Many infants vomit, this is usually associated with a poorly or incompletely developed lower oesophageal sphincter.
In most cases, this is mild and resolves spontaneously with age. In mild cases, posturing and thickened feeds with one
of the many available anti-reflux infant feeding formulae may provide symptomatic relief. Severe or persistent cases should
be investigated particularly if there is weight loss or failure to thrive.
Conclusion
OTC medications are commonly used for the temporary relief of minor ailments in children. Some, such as topical moisturisers
and oral rehydration fluids, have a real place in therapy. Many, such as the nasal decongestants, are of little use and
may have unwanted adverse effects. Others, such as aspirin, are contraindicated in children. Practitioners should question
parents about all the therapies that they are giving their children. They should also consult appropriate references before
recommending OTC medicines for children.
The authors would like to acknowledge the Dermatology Department of the Royal Children�s Hospital, Melbourne for supplying
information regarding topical treatments for childhood eczema.