Making Sure That Medicine Doesn’t Do More Harm Than Good!

In Western countries, children suffering pain or fever are usually given flavoured acetaminophen, commonly known as Calpol or Tylenol. But beware of relying too heavily on this ubiquitous medicine. With long-term use, Tylenol, including the children’s kind, can cause side effects including rashes, blood abnormalities and pancreatic infections. In addition, some of the added sweeteners and flavourings may be harmful in themselves.

Parents are urged to read labels carefully, and don’t be in too much of a hurry to give your child medicine containing acetaminophen.

"It's really, potentially, a big problem. Fulminant liver failure is what happens if you have a Tylenol overdose, and that has happened," Karen Dewling, MD, a pediatrician at the Emory Clinic in the US. Dewling adds that there’s a narrow range of dosage strength within which acetaminophen is effective without being dangerous. So what’s a parent to do? Dewling says, "I discourage people from using over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in little kids. There’s no proof that they work and they cause a lot of side effects."

Consider alternatives like eucalyptus, menthol, camphor or oil of cloves (for nasal congestion) and honey or lemon juice (for tickling coughs). Also try monkshood (for colds), belladonna (for high fevers), chamomile (for cutting teeth) and pulsatilla (for fever caused by ear infection), available at most natural-food stores. Also make sure your child drinks plenty of water and isn’t overdressed.