Common Over-The-Counter Drug Taken by Millions Linked to Terrifying Seizure Risk in Children

Conducted by researchers in South Korea, this new study links the use of certain over-the-counter cold and flu medications to an increased risk of seizures in young children. These medications, which include first-generation antihistamines, were found to raise the risk of seizures by 22 percent among children who had visited an emergency department. The risk was particularly high for children between six months and two years old, who were 31 percent more likely to experience a seizure after taking these drugs.

First-generation antihistamines, often used in conventional cold and flu medicines, work by decreasing the production of histamine, which can help relieve symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing. The study, which analyzed data from over 11,000 children who had visited an emergency room for seizures, found that nearly 3,200 of them had taken antihistamines before the incident, indicating a possible link between the drug and the seizures.

The study authors therefore emphasized the need for caution when prescribing first-generation antihistamines to children under two years old, as their developing blood-brain barrier makes them more vulnerable to the drug’s effects. The researchers also called for further investigation into the association between antihistamine use and seizure risk in young children.

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