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Anti-colic medications
Different categories of medications used to treat infant colicDuring your desperate search for solutions for your distressed baby's crying, no doubt many different types of remedies, mixtures and medications (some of which will be harmless, some potentially dangerous) have been recommended. Most of these will fit in at least one of the following categories...
Anti-gas medicationsWhich anti-gas medications are available to treat infant colic?
How do anti-gas medications work?Simethicone reduces the amount of gas in a baby's stomach by dispersing the foam that forms when air is swallowed during feeding. The active ingredient encourages the tiny bubbles of foam to join together to form larger bubbles, thereby making the gas easier to be brought up with a burp. Simethicone can assist in removing some air from the stomach but it has NO significant effect on gas in the intestines. (Big or small, the gas will come out the other end, with or without simethicone). Simethicone also has NO effect on the PRODUCTION of excessive gas in the intestines, which can occur with certain digestive disorders. (See Infant gas for more details.) Is simethicone effective in treating infant colic?The use of medications containing simethicone is based on the assumption that infant colic is due to SWALLOWED AIR; however numerous studies have shown that swallowed air is NOT a cause of infant colic. In several studies on the various anti-colic treatments available simethicone worked NO better than a placebo* in reducing the level of distress experienced by a colicky baby. *Placebos are sugar pills or sugar water, which are used as a comparison when testing the effectiveness of medications in clinical studies. A placebo effect is when a person reports an improvement in symptoms because they believe the medication was helpful, but in reality they received a sugar pill or mixture that offered no medicinal value. Is simethicone safe to be used to treat infant colic?Although NO medication can claim to be completely safe, simethicone has been shown to be relatively safe. Simethicone is non-sedating and side effects are rare. However, as studies have shown that simethicone works NO better than the same amount of sugar water you may want to save your money. Herbal remediesWhich herbal remedies are available to treat infant colic?For centuries herbal remedies have been used to treat infant colic. Some herbal remedies offered to infants are based on an assumption that infant colic is due to INDIGESTION. Other herbals remedies are offered because it is believed they have a calming or tranquilizing effect. Single herbs or a combination of different herbs may be used; given in the form of a TEA or commercially produced MIXTURES. Herbal Teas
Herbal colic mixtures Many different herbs (listed above) can be used together. The various combinations of different herbs are huge. There are also HUNDREDS of commercially produced 'natural infant colic remedies' available on the market today, which claim to soothe the discomfort of infant colic. (The list of individual brands is too huge to mention.) How do herbal remedies work?Different herbs work in different ways. There are many herbs that are used to aid digestion; reduce inflammation of the bowel; lessen gas production; and/or calm and tranquilize. There have not been enough studies done to understand exactly how each herb works, yet alone to understand how they work when combined. Are herbal remedies effective in treating colic?Many parents have faith in the benefits of herbal remedies to relieve the distress of a colicky baby. While some health care providers also believe herbal remedies may help, others believe they offer NO more than a placebo effect. There have been so few studies on the effectiveness of herbal remedies in the treatment of infant colic, so the 'jury is still out'. Are herbal remedies safe to be used to treat infant colic?Many people believe herbal remedies are "natural" and therefore they must be safe; however this is NOT always the case. Some of the most potent medications available today originate from herbs. When taken in too large a quantity a herbal remedy can be harmful. Infants have died from the inappropriate use of herbal remedies. Many herbal remedies are NOT recommended to be given to children. Be aware that some so called 'natural infant colic remedies' used in the past contained ethanol i.e. alcohol. In most countries these products have been removed from the market, but it will pay to check labels carefully. The same care should be taken when using herbal remedies as it is when using medications. Always talk to a herbalist in person before giving herbal teas or mixtures to children. AntihistaminesWhich antihistamines are used to treat infant colic?Many different medications contain antihistamines. The most commonly suggested to parents to treat infant colic are often those that have greater sedative properties, these include...
How do antihistamines work?Antihistamines are most commonly used to relieve the discomfort of nasal congestion and red, inflamed eyes which are caused by hay fever and other allergies. They also help to reduce feelings of nausea and vertigo (dizziness and loss of balance) associated with motion sickness. Antihistamines work by restricting our body's production of histamine, which is responsible for producing allergic symptoms (but NOT causing them). Histamine is one of our body's natural defenses against foreign bodies i.e. microorganisms or allergens, which can enter our body and cause illness. Many antihistamines have a tranquilizing (sedating) effect, which will make a baby feel drowsy and 'out of touch' OR alternatively some babies will experience the opposite effect and become extremely excited and irritated. Are antihistamines effective in the treatment of infant colic?Using these medications generally results in a decrease in the amount of time a baby spends crying and an increase in the amount of time a baby spends sleeping. HOWEVER, apart from providing a sedating effect they offer nothing more in the treatment of infant colic. In a small number of cases, where infant colic is thought to be caused by food or milk allergy or intolerance antihistamines may be used to reduce allergic symptoms, such as wheezing, rash, chronic runny nose, eczema, spitting up, diarrhea and bloody stools. However, dietary changes are far more effective in the long term management of this condition. Are antihistamines safe in the treatment of infant colic?Unfortunately because these medications are available over-the-counter this provides a false sense of security regarding their safety. ALARMINGLY, manufacturers warnings that these medications are NOT recommended for the use in children under the age of 2 years (due to the danger of impaired breathing) are often ignored, with some parents being advised to give these potentially harmful medications to infants as young as 1 month of age. Any medication has the potential for unwanted side effects. When an antihistamine is given for the purpose it was intended i.e. to relieve the discomfort of allergic symptoms, the benefits often outweigh the risk of side effects. However, when antihistamines are given solely for their sedating effect (such as in the treatment of infant colic) then the potential risk of side effects often outweigh any perceived benefits. Side effects, from the sedating antihistamines in particular are; headaches, difficulty passing urine, dry mouth, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea. Rarely, some antihistamines can also cause palpitations and abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure, allergic reactions (such as swelling, rash and breathing difficulties) dizziness, confusion, depression, disturbed sleep, tremor, convulsions, blood and liver disorders and over-excitement in children. Phenergan® which has a similar chemical structure to phenothiazine (a potent anti-psychotic medication) have been linked with an increased incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Although very rare, they can also cause a potentially fatal condition called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. Symptoms include high fever, rigid muscles, sweating, and rapid or irregular heartbeat. NEVER give antihistamines to a child without first consulting a doctor. AntispasmodicsWhich antispasmodic are used in the treatment of infant colic?The 2 most commonly prescribed antispasmodic medications used in the treatment of infant colic are...
How do antispasmodics work?All antispasmodics relax the muscles in the wall of the intestines (and also the urinary bladder) preventing spasms from occurring. Although the exact process of how antispasmodics work is unclear, it is known that these medications block nerve impulses from the brain and spinal cord to the intestinal wall, reducing intestinal spasms. Are antispasmodics effective in the treatment of infant colic?Antispasmodic medications are prescribed with the assumption that infant colic is due to an ABDOMINAL CRAMPS OR SPASMS from an overactive gastro-colic reflex. Studies using antispasmodics have demonstrated a reduction in the amount of time a colicky baby spends crying each day and an increase in sleeping. However, there is much debate among health professionals as the whether this is due to relief of gastric discomfort OR due to the sedative effects of these medications. Are antispasmodics safe in the treatment of infant colic?No medicine is completely safe. Although side effects from antispasmodics are not common, they can occur. Side effects include: heartburn, dilated pupils, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, constipation, blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, decreased sweating, drowsiness OR difficulty sleeping, headache, breathing difficulties, weakness, lack of co-ordination, loss of taste, nausea, vomiting, skin reactions, nervousness and allergic reactions. Up to 5% of infants treated with dicyclomine (Bentylol®, Merbentyl®) may develop serious side effects, including breathing difficulties, apnea, seizures, syncope, asphyxia, coma and muscular hypotonia. In addition, several cases of death have been reported in infants taking dicyclomine. As a result dicyclomine is NO longer approved for use in the United States in babies younger than 6 months of age. Antispasmodic drugs are only available on a doctor's prescription. Given the severity of potential side effects it is NOT surprising that these drugs are RARELY prescribed by pediatricians for infant colic. SedativesSeveral sedative or sleep-inducing drugs including alcohol have been reported as effective treatments for infant colic. However, there is a potential for SERIOUS side effects associated with using these medications and the RISK to a healthy (yet colicky) child far outweigh any benefits. What sedatives have been used in the past to treat infant colic?
How do sedatives work?Sedatives (including alcohol) are STRONG drugs which DEPRESS a child's whole central nervous system; this means pulse, breathing rate and level of awareness, resulting in abnormally deep sleep. The child's ability to respond is also affected. Feelings of pain are decreased. Phenobarbital is frequently used in the treatment of seizures. Are sedatives effective in the treatment of infant colic?These medications are very effective in reducing the amount of time a baby spends crying and increasing the amount of time a baby spends sleeping (albeit abnormal sleep); apart from the sedative effects of these medications, they do NOTHING to treat any possible underlying problems that cause a baby to cry in the first place, so crying is likely to continue once the sedation wears off. Are sedatives safe in the treatment of infant colic?Although these drugs are important in treating certain medical conditions most health care providers would agree these drugs should NEVER be given to a healthy baby simply to stop their crying because of the serious risk of moderate to severe side effects. Side effects include: decreased breathing rate, slow heartbeat, sluggishness, excessive drowsiness, lack of muscle coordination, temporary cessation of breathing, apnea, nightmares, anxiety, delirium, difficulty sleeping, excitement, irritability and hyperactivity in children, hallucinations, increased physical activity and muscle movement, headache, confusion, dizziness, seizures, nausea, vomiting, poor feeding, constipation, nervousness, agitation, anemia, allergic reactions (localized swelling, especially of the eyelids, cheeks, or lips, skin redness and inflammation), angioedema (swelling of face around lips, tongue, and throat, swollen arms and legs, difficulty breathing), low blood pressure, fainting, fever, muscle, nerve or joint pain, softening of bones. Many sedative medications are habit forming i.e. addictive. AntacidsMany different antacid medications are used to treat infant colic with the assumption that an infant's distress is due to the burning effects of HEARTBURN, associated with gastro-esophageal reflux. (See Antacids for more details on the various antacids; their advantages, disadvantages and side effects.) Other medications
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