Ninety Percent of Babies Given Off-Label Drugs

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Ninety Percent of Babies Given Off-Label Drugs

 

Babies and children are being given medicines not been approved for

use by them, according to studies conducted in Britain. One estimate

indicated they suffer as much as three times more side effects as a

result.

 

When a " suitable alternative " did not exist, doctors used unlicensed

or " off label " medicine in:

 

* 90 percent of babies in neonatal intensive care units

* 70 percent of children in pediatric intensive care units

* Two-thirds of children on general medical and surgical pediatric

wards in the UK

 

Two studies suggest that children taking these medicines face a higher

risk of side effects, with one estimate suggesting they suffer up to

three times more side effects as a result. Part of the problem is that

dosages for children are often not provided.

 

Information on how children react after taking the drugs, and what the

side effects are, is not being collected.

 

Telegraph September 7, 2005

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

It's bad enough that children and infants are overprescribed

medications specifically meant for them; now the media is exposing the

fact that kids are also being given drugs which have never been tested

on children, with unknown effects. And while this report took place in

the UK, we clearly have no shortage of medications being misused on

kids in the United States either.

 

In our " Have a problem? Take a pill! " society, drugs are already

vastly overprescribed. This is a particular problem for children. In

the first year or two of life, your child's immune system is still

being formed, and their experiences during this time can often predict

whether or not they will have life-long health problems.

 

Scientific studies continually support the wisdom of limiting

exposures to " foreign " substances for children, including synthetic

chemicals -- which includes drugs.

 

Along with immune system development, your child's nervous system

continues to develop well into their seventh year of life. With the

recent epidemic increase in the rates of autism, attention deficit,

and hyperactivity disorders, it would seem prudent to nurture and

protect your child in every way possible.

 

Even drugs intended for children can have side effects as horrifying

as suicidal tendencies and blindness. Drugs that have never been

tested on children could have even worse effects. Play it safe; limit

your child's exposure to drugs, and make sure that any prescription

your child gets is absolutely, absolutely necessary.

 

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Ear Infection Antibiotics Overprescribed

 

Flu Vaccines for Children Still Contain Mercury

 

Why Don't the Amish Have Autistic Children?