Albuquerque, N.M., January 18, 2008 – yesterday the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory to parents recommending that over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products should not be used to treat infants and children less than 2 years of age because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur from such use. According to the FDA’s news release there are a wide variety of rare, serious adverse events reported with cough and cold products. They include convulsions, rapid heart rates, decreased levels of consciousness and death. This news leaves parents of young children wondering what options are available.

Parents do have alternatives. Heel (a manufacturer of homeopathic drugs) offers safe, effective and natural medicines for infants and children suffering from common cold and flu symptoms. Physicians may confidently recommend many Heel medicines for their young patients including Viburcol^® pediatric oral drops for restlessness and fever; Nectadyn^TM cough syrup (formerly sold as CoughFree) for coughs (recommended for ages 2 and up); Sinusin^TM nasal spray (also sold as Euphorbium Sinus Relief^TM) for nasal congestion; and Traumeel^® Ear Drops for ear pain and inflammation.

These products act rapidly to soothe and comfort children without adverse risks. Bruce Shelton, MD, MD(h), DiHom, FBIH, noted Homeopathic Family Physician in Phoenix, Ariz., commented, "Since learning how effective homeopathics are, I give all of my pediatric patients liquid complex homeopathic preparations and I see dramatic recoveries in short amounts of time without the recurrent infections seen so commonly with traditional methods." An article that appeared in Natural Solutions magazine (January, 2008) offered options of many safe homeopathic and herbal approaches. Roy Steinbock, MD, a holistic pediatrician with a practice in Boulder, Colo. recommends Heel’s Euphorbium Sinus Relief^TM nasal spray (also sold as Sinusin^TM) for all ages, including infants.

Viburcol^® has been clinically researched and is comparable to acetaminophen for the symptomatic treatment of acute feverish infections in children under the age of 12¹. CoughFree, has been a staple in family medicine chests as an alternative to over-the-counter cough suppressants. Both Traumeel^® and Euphorbium Sinus Relief^TM have been used by practitioners and their patients alike for decades due to their effective and complete relief. These products are available through health care practitioners, pharmacies and health food stores.

Heel Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Heel GmbH, which is one of the world’s largest homeopathic pharmaceutical manufacturers with distribution in over 60 countries. For more information on other Heel products and their efficacy please contact customer service at 1-800-621-7644.

^1. Muller-Krampe B et al. Symptomatic treatment of acute feverish infections with a modern homeopathic medication. Biological Medicine 2002; Vol.31.No.2:79-85.