A slimy drug approval
Nature abhors a vacuum. Evidently, so does the FDA. No sooner were cold meds for children pulled off of shelves than the FDA approved Nexium for treating kids aged one to 11.
Nexium. You know, the medication used to treat acid reflux.
Yes, it appears that there are swarms of kids out there, ranging from infant-age on up, who evidently have a pressing need to suppress their stomach acid.
It's horrifying to think what kinds of health problems these babies are being set up for long-term. I think it's criminal, and as big a mismanagement of prescription drugs as was ever fostered onto small children. For one thing, you need stomach acid to properly absorb important nutrients such as calcium, zinc and magnesium. Depriving young children of the nutrients needed to run their bodies and promote normal healthy growth is thoughtless and irresponsible.
And it's only by the grace of God that it hasn't been approved for infants even younger than the age of one—but only because its safety and effectiveness haven't been established. Yet.
Currently, doses between 20 milligrams and 40 milligrams are approved for the 12- to 17-year old crowd. For the younger set, doses of 10 milligrams to 20 milligrams are approved.
Also, it's approved only for short-term use. But the way prescription meds are handed out like candy, I can see that being easily overlooked by harried doctors, and parents who are unaware of the dark side of giving their children acid- blocking medications ad nauseum.
Here's a quick breakdown of the side effects these young children could potentially face—and may be too young to tell you about:
Headache
Nausea
Gas
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Constipation
Sleepiness
Dry mouth
If your child or grandchild is offered this "treatment," run—don't walk—to the nearest exit. A second opinion is definitely in order.
