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Original poster

Is it bad to give Medised to a three month old?

49 replies

emkana · 12/10/2006 22:43

I feel bad somehow giving it to ds.
I don't know why I feel that way, after all he's already had all sorts of medications, including several lots of antibiotics.
I think it's because it say it may cause drowsiness, it somehow feels like I'm really drugging him.

OP posts:
snowleopard · 12/10/2006 22:44

What's in it?

snowleopard · 12/10/2006 22:44

And what does it say on the packet about ages?

Original poster
emkana · 12/10/2006 22:45

It says it's okay from 3 months.
It contains paracetamol and a mild antihistamine.

OP posts:
sorrell · 12/10/2006 22:45

I wish! I think they should do double or triple strength Medised. I've always been very disappointed with the results
Seriously, no, of course not. If it was dangerous in the slightest it wouldn't be available over the counter.

wheelybug · 12/10/2006 22:47

Not if he's got a cold ! The stuff that makes them drowsy is the stuff that stops their noses running, both of which help them sleep which is what you need when you are ill.

I tried it once - it worked a treat ! Mind you, I had it on top of a bottle of wine (I wouldn't recommend that for a 3 month old !!)

snowleopard · 12/10/2006 22:50

If it says it's OK - it is. They are ultra-cautious with these things. I know how you feel, I've felt bad about "drugging" DS up with calpol (haven't tried medised) but as a friend said, he wants to be able to sleep too, and if you had problems sleeping/tooth pain/whatever, you'd be asking for drugs, wouldn't you?

FillyjonkthePumpkinEater · 12/10/2006 22:51

would not use it

here's why : exerpt from phenergen (active ingredient) label

source is the fda

WARNINGS
PHENERGAN SHOULD NOT BE USED IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS LESS THAN 2
YEARS OF AGE BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR FATAL RESPIRATORY
DEPRESSION.
POSTMARKETING CASES OF RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION, INCLUDING
FATALITIES, HAVE BEEN REPORTED WITH USE OF PHENERGAN IN
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OF AGE. A WIDE RANGE OF
WEIGHT-BASED DOSES OF PHENERGAN HAVE RESULTED IN RESPIRATORY
DEPRESSION IN THESE PATIENTS.
CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED WHEN ADMINISTERING PHENERGAN TO
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS 2 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. IT IS RECOMMENDED
THAT THE LOWEST EFFECTIVE DOSE OF PHENERGAN BE USED IN PEDIATRIC
PATIENTS 2 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER AND CONCOMITANT
ADMINISTRATION OF OTHER DRUGS WITH RESPIRATORY DEPRESSANT
EFFECTS BE AVOIDED.

am not trying to scaremonger. I only found this out when trying to find a painkiller...but not excatly ruling out those causing driwniness as a side effect, IYKWIM.

here's the source for the warning, but its a pdf file which is why I copied and pasted.

fda on phenergen

any doctors/nurses etc on here want to tell me i'm wrong, great, i'll be delighted.

Medulla · 12/10/2006 22:51

Just this minute given it to my 14 month old as he has a rotten cold and cough. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Gillian76 · 12/10/2006 22:53

Is there phenergan in Medised?

Original poster
emkana · 12/10/2006 22:55

Gillian76 - I was just going to post exactly the same question.
Doesn't say there's Phenergan in Medised?

OP posts:
curlew · 12/10/2006 22:55

I wouldn't unless specifically told to by a doctor. What are you using it to treat?

wheelybug · 12/10/2006 22:56

the active ingredient is Diphenhydramine (with paracetemol).

Original poster
emkana · 12/10/2006 22:59

I'm giving it to ds because he has a cold.
Only the about 150th since he was born.
Am hoping to prevent the cold turning into the 100th chest infection.

OP posts:
Medulla · 12/10/2006 22:59

Yes there is phenergen in medised but as husband is GP and the fact you can buy it over the counter for use in children over 3 months of age I believe as long as you don't abuse it and use it as directed it is reasonably safe.

sorrell · 12/10/2006 22:59

well, it's all very well posting dire warnings about phergergen....but what on earth does that have to do with this thread????

Original poster
emkana · 12/10/2006 23:00

Why doesn't it say phenergen on the packet though?

OP posts:
snowleopard · 12/10/2006 23:01

A web search sugggests Phenergan contains an antihistamine called Promethazine Hydrochloride, and the same antihistamine is in Medised (it causes the drowsiness). However Phenergan contains other things too and is not the same as Medised; Medised is OK for babies and Phenergan isn't. I think it's OK Emkana.

dinny · 12/10/2006 23:01

Phenergen is the drug, Diphenhydramine is the brand of the drug.

dinny · 12/10/2006 23:02

ahem, sorry, meant to add: presumably.

dinny · 12/10/2006 23:03

like Nurofen and ibuprofen...?

snowleopard · 12/10/2006 23:03

I should add I've just looked this up and I'm not a doctor.

Medulla · 12/10/2006 23:03

other way round Dinny

Medulla · 12/10/2006 23:05

but yes just like Nurofen and Ibruprofen.

dinny · 12/10/2006 23:05

d'oh - as soon as I posted I regrettd it as am merely making unhelpful presumptions. sorry, Emkana.

fwiw - I'd give it to him, have often given it to my two if they are really congested and it always helps them.

Gillian76 · 12/10/2006 23:06

Emkana, most of these drugs are safe from 3 months. Phenergan on its own is not recommended for children under 2 years old.

You are doing the best by your son. Talk it over with your GP and don't worry about shock tactics.