Cough and Cold Medications Ineffective and Dangerous

The FDA has recently issued warnings regarding the dangers of giving over-the-counter cough and cold remedies to young children, but in addition to the perils associated with putting these drugs into the body, many studies have shown that they simply do not work effectively either. As I referenced yesterday on this blog, pharmaceutical companies, with the help of medical literature publishers, have a nasty habit of burying studies that reflect poorly on their products. It appears that the manufacturers of cough and cold meds have done just this.

Sales of drugs to treat the common cold are huge, and they in fact compromise the largest portion of the OTC market. The sad thing is that the chemicals manufacturers put in these formulas can be very toxic to the bodies of both children and adults, especially for individuals that are allergic or supersensitive to ingredients. In addition, as the article below points out, the majority of clinical studies, except those funded by the pharmaceutical industry, show highly questionable results when it comes to how well these drugs work at relieving symptoms. So here we have dangerous substances that do not do what they claim being sold for immense profits. Does the term snake oil seem appropriate here?

Your best bet for combating colds and virtually all other forms of illness is to keep your immune system strong and vibrant. Eating a healthy diet, keeping the body hydrated with filtered water, eliminating sugar, getting plenty of sleep, and keeping your intestinal tract, where 70-80% of immune system activity occurs, clean will prevent or lessen the side effects of most colds and flu. Of course prevention is always the best tactic, but should illness occur, be sure to do your research regarding natural herbs, juices, and supplements to ease the symptoms and duration.


DRUG NEWS
Cough medicines don't work for adults either
By Sue Mueller
Jan 27, 2008 - 1:41:19 PM

SUNDAY JAN 27 2008 (Foodconsumer.org) -- The FDA has officially warned patients not to give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to children under age 2 saying that the remedies are not only ineffective, but impose serious adverse effects including death as well.

Now scientists at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Medical School have reviewed published studies and have also found that these cough medicines that make hundreds of millions each year for the drug industry do not work in adults either.

In the review, Fahey and colleagues looked at data from both children and adult-focused studies. They found some studies reported OTC cough medicines helped patients while others said other wise.

The studies sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry tend to show positive results in terms of efficacy and safety of these cough medicine compared to those studies that claim no conflict of interest.

The researchers found six out of the nine studies supported by the industry showed positive results compared to three out of the 16 trials that did not report any conflict of interest. Studies sponsored by the industry are likely to say the OTC cough medicines are safe and lead to only minor adverse effects if any.

The review of 25 studies involving 2,876 adults and 616 children appears in the latest issue of the Cochrance Library, an international organization that evaluates medical research.

Some studies found the OTC cough medicines beneficial while others found that these medicines were no better than placebo.

The bottom-line, as the researchers suggest, is that most infections do not need any treatment. The humans have their natural built-in defense-mechanism against these infections that cause cough or colds.

Source:Smith SM, Schroeder K, Fahey T. Over-the-counter medications for acute cough in children and adults in ambulatory settings (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1.

http://foodconsumer.org/7777/8888/D_rug_N_ews_50/012701422008_Cough_medicine_don_t_work_for_adults_either_printer.shtml