{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,6]],"date-time":"2026-10-06T07:59:31Z","timestamp":1791273571501,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)","issue":"3","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2001,9,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medications are marketed widely for relief of common cold symptoms, and yet studies have failed to demonstrate a benefit of these medications for young children. In addition, OTC medications can be associated with significant morbidity and even mortality in both acute overdoses and when administered in correct doses for chronic periods of time. Physicians often do not inquire about OTC medication use, and parents (or other caregivers) often do not perceive OTCs as medications. We present 3 cases of adverse outcomes over a 13-month period\u2014including 1 death\u2014as a result of OTC cough and cold medication use. We explore the toxicities of OTC cough and cold medications, discuss mechanisms of dosing errors, and suggest why physicians should be more vigilant in specifically inquiring about OTCs when evaluating an ill child.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.108.3.e52","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2004,8,13]],"date-time":"2004-08-13T23:55:51Z","timestamp":1092441351000},"page":"e52-e52","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":113,"title":["Toxicity of Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Medications"],"prefix":"10.1542","volume":"108","author":[{"given":"Veronica L.","family":"Gunn","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"1From the Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Samina H.","family":"Taha","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"1From the Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Erica L.","family":"Liebelt","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"1From the Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Janet R.","family":"Serwint","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"1From the Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"417","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2001,9,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"2021121010024558800_B1","first-page":"109","article-title":"Treating colds: keep it simple.","volume":"16","author":"Pappas","year":"1999","journal-title":"Contemp Pediatr"},{"key":"2021121010024558800_B2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2258","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.1993.03500170088039","article-title":"Over-the-counter cold medications: a critical review of clinical trials between 1950 and 1991.","volume":"269","author":"Smith","year":"1993","journal-title":"JAMA."},{"key":"2021121010024558800_B3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"799","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-3476(06)80031-4","article-title":"Efficacy of cough suppressants in children.","volume":"122","author":"Taylor","year":"1993","journal-title":"J Pediatr"},{"key":"2021121010024558800_B4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"125","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-3476(05)81865-7","article-title":"Effectiveness of an antihistamine-decongestant combination for young children with the common cold: a randomized, controlled clinical trial.","volume":"118","author":"Hutton","year":"1991","journal-title":"J Pediatr"},{"key":"2021121010024558800_B5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"463","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-3476(97)70211-7","article-title":"Is an antihistamine-decongestant combination effective in temporarily relieving symptoms of the common cold in preschool children?","volume":"130","author":"Clemens","year":"1997","journal-title":"J Pediatr"},{"key":"2021121010024558800_B6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"918","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.99.6.918","article-title":"Use of codeine- and dextromethorphan-containing cough remedies in children.","volume":"99","author":"American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Drugs","year":"1997","journal-title":"Pediatrics"},{"key":"2021121010024558800_B7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1826","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJM200012213432501","article-title":"Phenylpropanolamine and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.","volume":"343","author":"Kernan","year":"2000","journal-title":"N Engl J Med"},{"key":"2021121010024558800_B8"},{"key":"2021121010024558800_B9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"415","DOI":"10.1016\/0736-4679(85)90250-1","article-title":"Atrioventricular block following overdose of decongestant cold medication.","volume":"2","author":"Burton","year":"1985","journal-title":"J Emerg Med"},{"key":"2021121010024558800_B10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"483","DOI":"10.1016\/S0733-8627(20)30439-9","article-title":"Hazards of nonprescription medications.","volume":"12","author":"Cetaruk","year":"1994","journal-title":"Emerg Med Clin North Am"},{"key":"2021121010024558800_B11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.1016\/0002-9343(90)90299-S","article-title":"Adverse drug effects attributed to phenylpropanolamine: a review of 142 case reports.","volume":"89","author":"Lake","year":"1990","journal-title":"Am J Med"},{"key":"2021121010024558800_B12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1898","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.1984.03350140044023","article-title":"Toxicity of over-the-counter stimulants.","volume":"252","author":"Pentel","year":"1984","journal-title":"JAMA"},{"key":"2021121010024558800_B13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"969","DOI":"10.1227\/00006123-198706000-00027","article-title":"Phenylpropanolamine: an over-the-counter drug causing central nervous system vasculitis and intracerebral hemorrhage. 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