Self-medicating moms more likely to give kids pain meds

By Shereen Jegtvig NEW YORK (Reuter Health) – Mothers who frequently use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers are more likely to give them to their children too, according to a new Danish study. More parents are giving OTC medications, such as acetaminophen, to their young children, often without the advice of health care professionals, the study team says. “Half of all the medications used worldwide are non-prescription – it is a huge and growing industry under limited control from the health care system,” Dr. Janne Fangel Jensen, who led the research, told Reuters Health by email. It’s a safe treatment for many forms of mild pain and has few known side effects, Jensen said.