Pseudoephedrine, for example, is a decongestant used to relieve congestion that is present in most cough and cold preparation. Toxicity presents with nervous system stimulation, hypertension, and increased heart rate. It can also cause extreme agitation, excitability, insomnia, psychosis, and seizures.

Many cough and cold preparations also include antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine and brompheniramine. Adverse effects and clinical toxicity of antihistamines can also cause increased heart rate, blurred vision, agitation, drowsiness, confusion, psychoses, seizures and hallucinations may develop with moderate poisoning.

"Doctors should be more vigilant and enquire more often about OTCs when evaluating an ill child in order to avoid duplicate therapy, which may lead to overdose and toxicity. The best medicine is education. Parents need to understand the duration and expected symptoms of common cold, and to know what specific changes in symptoms would warrant a re-evaluation by their child's physician," says Dr Sharif.
"Parents must give their children the recommended dose with the correct frequency or length of therapy and they should also use a correct measuring device that is provided with the medicine. Some parents may intentionally give children a higher dose or increase length of therapy while other parents may continue to use these medications as treatment for one of the side effect e.g. sedation to make their children sleep."

In case of an overdose parents are advised to seek medical help at their nearest emergency room or call the Poison and Drug Information Centre on the toll free number 800424.

For more information about the Arab Health Exhibition & Congress, please visit www.arabhealthonline.com, or call +971 4 407 2743.
About Abu Dhabi Health Authority (HAAD):
For more information about (HAAD), please visit www.haad.ae.

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