“In adults, medications acting on the central nervous system such as sleeping pills, tranquilizers and antidepressants represent 40% of calls“, says Professor Dogné.
Nose drops are not harmless
Professor Dogné recalls that the use of decongestant nasal sprays must be limited in time, also in order to avoid dependence phenomena and cardiovascular problems in patients who use nasal sprays continuously. “It is imperative to limit their use over time“, said the doctor.
But in children, the problem is significant: “Children are very sensitive to the toxicity of nasal drops and decongestant sprays based on phenylephrine, naphazoline or tramazoline. This causes nausea, drowsiness, but also the appearance of heart problems..”
Note that these effects already appear at low doses: “LAdverse effects are significant in young children under 4 years of age, in the event of ingestion of small quantities (for example 2.5 to 5 ml of a 0.05% naphazoline solution or 0.5 mg/ml)” specifies the Antipoison center.
Professor Dogné also warns against cough syrups: “Prescription cough syrups may contain codeine. Here, care must obviously be taken, even in the event of acute toxicity, because they can cause significant respiratory depression. Even non-prescription syrups should be kept out of reach of children, because these are products that can have undesirable effects in young children, who would consume too much of them.“
-Four tips for unblocking your nose
The Anti-Poison Center advises in case of cold to rinse the nose with physiological serum. “For adults who decide to use a decongestant, it is important to limit their use, both in duration (max. 5 days) and in frequency (e.g. just before bedtime). It is also important not to exceed the maximum dose.”
And to avoid accidents with children, it is preferable to use metered sprays, which release a specific quantity of product, rather than non-metered nasal drops.
