Infant Acetaminophen Drops to Be Discontinued

May 6, 2011 -- The Consumer Healthcare Products Association says makers of over-the-counter, single-ingredient liquid pediatric acetaminophen medicines will discontinue current infant drops and make pediatric products just one concentration.

The transition will start in mid-2011, and the CHPA says parents can keep using their current infant products with confidence, as long as they are careful to read dosing instructions and make sure that acetaminophen is safe and appropriate for their kids.

Currently, families are able to buy more than one concentration of single-ingredient pediatric liquid acetaminophen medicines.

The voluntary change means the current children’s strength of liquid acetaminophen of 160 milligrams per 5 milliliters will become the only liquid concentration available for kids under age 12, and more concentrated infant drops won’t be sold any longer.

CHPA Announcement Follows FDA Action

The action comes on the heels of a recent FDA notice announcing new guidelines for dosage delivery devices, such as calibrated cups, droppers, and syringes, because of problems with overdoses of some analgesic medications.

“CHPA member companies are voluntarily making this conversion to one concentration to help make it easier for parents and caregivers to appropriately use single-ingredient liquid acetaminophen,” the organization’s president, Scott Melville, says in a news release. “We are committed to providing parents and caregivers the tools and information they need to help give their children the right amount of these medicines.”

New dosing syringes will come with some products, and cups with others.

The CHPA, which represents the makers of OTC single-ingredient pediatric acetaminophen medicines, says its members will work to make sure health care providers have the information they need to help answer questions of parents about the impending change.

Effort to Be Made to Remove Concentrated Infant Drops From Stores

In the meantime, the makers of the medicines will work with retailers to ensure that the more concentrated infant drops will be removed from store shelves.

The organization says it is important for people to know that concentrated products will remain on store shelves and in medicine cabinets for a while. It encourages consumers to read and strictly follow instructions on labels.

It also says the single-concentration liquid medicines will have additional enhancements to dosing devices.

Infants’ products, specifically, will have syringes for more accurate dosing and flow restrictors. Dosing cups will continue to be offered for products for older kids under age 12.