Adverse events related to accidental unintentional ingestions from cough and cold medications in children.
This study reviewed data from multiple US sources, including the FDA and National Poison Data System, to characterize the role of accidental unsupervised ingestions involving cough and cold medication (CMM). From 2009 to 2016, two-thirds of all reported accidental ingestions resulting in an adverse event among children younger than 6 years old were potentially related to CMM and occurred in the child’s own residence. The authors suggest that the use of engineering controls (e.g., flow restrictors on liquid formulas) may reduce adverse events resulting from accidental ingestion of CMM.