Cough Medicine That Looks Like Candy Poses a Serious Risk to Young Children
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning about the potential risk associated with Tessalon liquid cough capsules, which have a candy-like appearance that attracts young children. At least five children under two years of age have died from an accidental Tessalon overdose. Serious side effects have also been reported
Cardiace arrest, coma, convulsions, and other problems have appeared within 15 minutes of ingestion and deaths have occurred within hours, according to the FDA. The agency is adding a new warning and precaution section to Tessalon’s label to alert doctors and other health care professionals about the potential dangers of accidental ingestion by children under age 10.
Any patients currently taking Tessalon (also sold as Benzonatate) should keep the medication in a child-resistant container and store it out of the reach of children. Immediate medical attention should be sought if a child accidentally ingests the drug.
A death from Tessalon can occur when a child ingests even one or two capsules. Federal drug regulators warn both adults and children not to take two doses at once for any reason. Consumers are also advised not to chew, crush, dissolve, or break the capsules