Should antipyretic analgesics be included as an ingredient in combination nonprescription paediatric cough and cold medications?
The Panel noted that pain and fever tend to be treated separately by the consumer. The inclusion of analgesics in children’s nonprescription combination cough and cold medications is not advisable as pain and fever are not necessarily components of cold symptoms. It is important to limit the needless administration of an antipyretic or an analgesic when using combination products and fever or pain is not present in order to avoid unnecessary drug exposure. The inclusion of an analgesic would also predispose the child to inadvertent overdose if the consumer does not realize that different products can contain the same analgesic ingredient, a common error on the part of the parent or caregiver. 12. Risk Management Strategies In light of the guidance you have provided today, what risk management strategies do you recommend that Health Canada consider in order to further mitigate the potential risks associated with the use of cough and cold medication in children? Panel Response: Based on
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