When our children are sick we generally reach for a trusted brand in the medicine cabinet.
But which brands do we really trust?
A number of over-the-counter medicines are available for things like coughs, colds, temperatures, pain relief, hayfever, etc. Many also offer specially-formulated children's versions.
But did you know that many over-the-counter children's medicines contain artificial colours which can cause hyperactivity in some children? Many more also contain the preservative E211, sodium benzoate, which can also cause severe hyperactivity.
The last time I checked, bottles of Children's Panadol offered two options - with or without artificial colours (... as if we need it with!). However all Children's Panadol bottles seem to contain E211 preservative, or sodium benzoate.
This is an appalling inclusion from a so-called trusted medical brand and is not something we expect to deal with when our children get sick.
As an alternative, Nurofen produces a children's version which does not contain artificial colours or E211 preservative (though it does have flavours). This is therefore the only children's pain killer we now allow in our house.
As for cough medicines, stay away from Robitussin if you want to avoid E211. This is identified on the back of the bottle as 'sodium benzoate'.
After we had a pretty wild ride with Robitussin recently (because I forgot to check the small print on the back!) we now use Bisolvon instead. It does not contain artificial colours or E211 and is therefore a much more useable medicine with no real side effects.
As for hayfever treatments - forget it!
I have searched high and low for a children's hayfever treatment which does not contain E211, sodium benzoate. So far I have not found a single one and have now just given up. Instead I give my son half an adult tablet of Claratyne which I figure will do the same job - without the terrible side effects.
I call on all the manufacturers of children's medicines to please be responsible with all your ingredients. If some products do not need these additives then why do we need them at all?
Man the last thing you think you would have to consider is medicine!! So frustrating. Love this post.
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ReplyDeleteGreat article. Thank you. You could also include children's liquid antibiotics in this article. They are loaded with artificial junk.
ReplyDeleteThey still havent done a bloody thing to remove sodium benzote from children or baby panadol herron is really good but nothing available for bubs or young children. I have boycotted buying panadol products its all about making money while they cause harm to our kids for shame to panadol.
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