FDA Warning: Kids Hospitalized After Swallowing Small Amounts of Nasal Spray or Eye Drops

The FDA wants parents to know that some common products in your medicine cabinet could make your child sick if small amounts are swallowed.

The FDA is warning the public that young children can become seriously ill if they swallow over-the-counter eye drops and nasal decongestant sprays.  There have been cases in which children age 5 and younger have been hospitalized after ingesting these products, a small amount of which could make them very sick.  The products are sold under various brand names, such as Visine, Dristan and Mucinex, as well as in generic and store brands. Risk: These products are safe when used in the eyes and nose as directed. However, when swallowed, their active ingredients—tetrahydrozoline, oxymetazoline, or naphazoline—can have effects that include nausea, lethargy, decreased respiration and even a coma. No deaths have been reported. Most of these …

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