Safe New Choices Available for Parents after FDA Questions Children’s Cough, Cold and Flu Medicines
Newtown Square, Pa.—In 2007, a panel of health experts assembled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it was “uncomfortable” with the risks of decongestants, antihistamines and cough suppressants proportional to the estimated benefits for children based on using a fraction of doses shown to relieve symptoms in adults. To help parents who are still wondering how to ease their children’s winter woes, Boiron, world leader in homeopathic medicines, has created Children’s Oscillococcinum® for flu-like symptoms and Children’s Coldcalm® Pellets for colds. Parents can easily find these safe and reliable over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in the children’s aisle along with Boiron’s established Children’s Chestal® for coughs.
These homeopathic cough, cold and flu medicines do not contain any of the ingredients under question for use in youngsters. Their active ingredients are micro-doses of natural ingredients. Since homeopathic medicines are not weight-dependent, there’s no need to give more or less medicine depending on body weight. There’s no risk of overdose, nor are there reported side effects such as making children jittery or drowsy. In general, homeopathic medicines are considered one of the safest choices for self-treatment. These medicines do not interact with other medications, herbs or supplements. Nor do they “mask” symptoms that may indicate a more serious condition.
“They work in a different way,” says the Los Angeles-based Lauren Feder, M.D., and author of Natural Baby and Childcare (Hatherleigh Press, 2006). “The principle is that the body knows what to do best for itself. Rather than suppressing symptoms, these medicines work with the body by sending it a signal to help rebalance itself and heal. For example, a cough suppressant works against the body, but a homeopathic cough syrup like Children’s Chestal acts as an expectorant.”
Dr. Feder, whose general practice consists primarily of children, says, “It is not dangerous to combine homeopathic medicines with other substances in case parents decide to administer a cold medicine on top of cough syrup.”
All Boiron products are clearly labeled for specific indications, making directions easy for parents to understand. They are manufactured according to the highest standards, complying with drug Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS).
Parents can quickly and affordably pick up these over-the-counter (OTC) medicines without a prescription in the children’s aisle or in the cough, cold and flu section of health food stores and independent pharmacies nationwide.
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About Boiron: Boiron, world leader in homeopathic medicines, is a $730 million public company with 4,000 employees in more than 80 countries. It is best known for its top-selling flu medicine, Oscillococcinum®, its Chestal® cough syrup, and its Arnicare® line of pain relievers. For nearly 80 years, Boiron has been committed to funding scientific research and educating the public and healthcare professionals on homeopathic medicines. As a pharmaceutical company, Boiron maintains the highest standards in manufacturing, complying with U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States and drug Good Manufacturing Practices.
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