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Paediatrics: beware of unsuitable drugs and cosmetics

Some cosmetics and drugs used to treat benign disorders in children can expose them to potentially severe adverse effects.

Children are exposed to potentially severe adverse effects. According to a French national health insurance system study on reimbursable drugs prescribed to more than 40,000 children, large numbers of children are exposed to serious risks through the treatment of benign complaints. More than one in 10 children has been exposed to a drug which is contra-indicated for their age. Most cases involved decongestants administered orally or nasally (neurological, psychiatric, cardiovascular adverse effects), nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, psychotropic drugs sold to treat occasional sleep disorders, and medicinal products containing terpenic derivatives (eucalyptol, in particular). Terpenic derivatives are contra-indicated for children under the age of 12 because they carry a risk of convulsions. Furthermore, at the beginning of 2008, the French Health Products Safety Agency began withdrawing from the market cosmetic products containing terpenic derivatives after a 5-month-old infant suffered convulsions.

These adverse effects can be prevented if drug treatments for benign disorders are avoided – their efficacy should not be overestimated – and if the safety warnings and contra-indications are heeded (especially for children under a certain age).

©Prescrire April 2008

Source: "Prescriptions dangereuses à des enfants" Rev Prescrire 2008; 28 (294) 270.

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