Hallucinations in children caused by oxolamine citrate

Area of Science:

• Pediatric pharmacology
• Adverse drug reactions
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Oxolamine-citrate is a common antitussive agent.
• Pediatric populations may exhibit different drug metabolism and sensitivity.
• Hallucinations are a potential, though uncommon, side effect of certain medications.

Observation:

• Twenty case reports from Australia, Belgium, and The Netherlands identified oxolamine-citrate cough mixtures as a potential cause of hallucinations.
• Affected children were all under 10 years of age.
• Fever was considered an unlikely explanation for the observed symptoms.

Findings:

• A correlation exists between oxolamine-citrate cough mixture use and hallucinations in young children.
• The incidence of such reactions appears uncommon based on Australian usage data.
• Adolescents and adults have not reported similar adverse effects, suggesting age-specific sensitivity.

Implications:

• Current recommended pediatric doses of oxolamine-citrate may require re-evaluation.
• Further research is needed to establish safe and effective dosing for children.
• Healthcare providers should be aware of potential hallucinogenic side effects in pediatric patients using this medication.