Allergies
There are many prescription allergy medications on the market, including Claritin™, Zyrtec™ and Allegra™. A new medication, Clarinex™, is available from the makers of Claritin™ for children over twelve years of age.A new version of Zyrtec™, with a decongestant, was also released last year. Zyrtec D 12 hour™ contains 5mg of Zyrtec™ plus 120mg of psuedoephedrine. Similar products are also available from the makers of Claritin™ and Allegra™.
Eczema
Children with bad eczema used to be limited to using moisturizers and steroid creams for flare ups. A new medication, Protopic™, or tacrolimus, an immunomodulator ointment that, in the 0.03% strength, is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) when other therapies have not been effective. Elidel™ cream is a similar medicine available for children aged 2 years and older.
Acne
Acne is another common skin condition in children that can be difficult to treat. Many new medications including Differin™, Tazorac™ and Retin A microgel™ have become recently available and are good for children with sensitive skin or who didn't tolerate some of the older medications. Benzaclin™, a combination of benzoyl peroxide and the antibiotic cleocin was also introduced last year. Unlike Benzamycin™, an older version of this medication, Benzaclin™ does not need to be refrigerated.
Infections
Resistant Streptococcal pneumonia infections are becoming more common in children, leading to infections that are difficult to treat. One of the current recommendations is to use a high dosage of amoxicillin, at almost twice the normal dosage, to treat persistent ear infections. A new formulation of Amoxil™, in 200mg and 400mg per teaspoon suspensions and chewable tablets, make giving this higher dosage easier.While Augmentin has long been recommended to treat ear infections in children, a higher dose of the amoxicillin component of Augmentin is now recommended for difficult to treat ear infections. Previously, this higher dosage was given by having a child take both amoxicillin and Augmentin™. A new form of Augmentin™, called Augmentin ES™ (extra strength) makes it easier to give this potent antibiotic combination.
If your child has an ear infection that isn't clearing up and he has already been on multiple antibiotics, then you might ask about using high dose amoxillin or Augmentin ES™.
A new immunization to help prevent Streptocococcal infections was also introduced last year. Prevnar™ is indicated for all children under 2 years of age and older children who are considered high risk. Unfortunately, a shortage of this vaccine has kept many children from getting it.
There were also some new antiviral medications to help fight the flu. Relenza™ is an inhaler approved for children over age 7. While Tamiflu™, another new flu medication, is approved for children over age 12 months, the syrup form of the medication was never released. So younger children, who can't swallow pills, usually must take the older flu medications, including Symmetrel™ and Flumadine™.
