Pediatric Fatalities Associated With Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Medications.

Background And Objectives: In 2008, over-the-counter cough and cold medications (CCMs) underwent labeling changes in response to safety concerns, including fatalities, reported in children exposed to CCMs. The objective of this study is to describe fatalities associated with exposures to CCMs in children <12 years old that were detected by a safety surveillance system from 2008 to 2016.

Methods: Fatalities in children <12 years old that occurred between 2008 and 2016 associated with oral exposure to one or more CCMs were identified by the Pediatric Cough and Cold Safety Surveillance System.

Trends in adverse events and related health-care facility utilization from cough and cold medication exposures in children.

Introduction: Initial research following regulatory changes addressing the pediatric safety of cough and cold medications (CCMs) demonstrated decreases in adverse events (AEs). Using a national multi-source surveillance system, we studied subsequent CCM-related AE case rate trends and associated health-care facility (HCF) evaluation in children.

Methods: Data were collected from 2009 to 2016.

Adverse Events Related to Accidental Unintentional Ingestions From Cough and Cold Medications in Children.

Objectives: Previous research has demonstrated that accidental unsupervised ingestions (AUIs) were responsible for the majority of cough and cold medication (CCM) ingestions leading to significant adverse events (AEs) in children. The objective of this analysis was to characterize the role of AUIs in the morbidity associated with CCM exposure in children.

Methods: This surveillance study collected data from 5 United States data sources from 2009 to 2016, in children younger than 6 years with an AE from an AUI involving at least 1 CCM over-the-counter pharmaceutical ingredient.

Medication Errors From Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Medications in Children.

Objective: Out of hospital medication-related adverse events (AEs) from cough and cold medications (CCMs) can have significant public health impact. The objective of this study was to characterize pediatric medication error AEs involving over-the-counter (OTC) CCMs to identify preventable factors.

Methods: Multisource national data surveillance system study using an expert panel evaluating CCM AEs related to medication errors.

Antivenom Treatment Is Associated with Fewer Patients using Opioids after Copperhead Envenomation.

Introduction: Copperhead envenomation causes local tissue destruction, leading people to seek treatment for the pain and swelling. First-line treatment for the pain is opioid medications. There is rising concern that an initial opioid prescription from the emergency department (ED) can lead to long-term addiction.

Early administration of Fab antivenom resulted in faster limb recovery in copperhead snake envenomation patients.

Background: No previous research has studied whether early snake antivenom administration leads to better clinical outcomes than late antivenom administration in North American pit viper envenomation.

Methods: A secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial of Fab antivenom (FabAV) versus placebo for copperhead snake envenomation was conducted. Patients treated before the median time to FabAV administration were classified as receiving early treatment and those treated after the median time were defined as the late treatment group.