Did "Vallergan" used to be routinely prescribed?

Just found out that my mum's GP prescribed Vallergan for me when I was a baby!
I'm in my 30s now, and it's amazing how many people my age say that their mums gave it to them too!

I could be wrong but I get the impression that nowadays Vallergan is very much a "last resort" or "life and death" prescription, i.e. mum is literally going to kill herself if toddler doesn't sleep soon.

Is this correct? What does it take for a GP to prescribe Vallergan or similar drugs for a toddler? And what is the minimum age requirement?

You can buy it over the counter at the chemist.

I know my mum used it with my brothers and sisters in the 1970s (before most of you were born!!! ;) ) She would have been going on the advice of the MHN or the doctor.

Do you mean phenergan (spell??) that's what sometimes gets prescribed when sleep is needed...

No Kate, there is something much stronger than phenergan.

Yep I think it used to be, but you're also right it is a very last resort. 2 is technically the minimum age but it is a heavy duty sedative, it needs to be monitored very carefully.

I can remember having vallergan as a kid. I can't believe it is stronger than phenergan!

That blows me away! If I take phenergan for allergies, I sleep for hours and feel drugged for most of the next day, imagine what it would do to babies!

My DD is only 19 months, so I'm hoping her sleep will improve by this time next year, otherwise I might need to look into it.

The No-Cry Sleep Solution hasn't worked (we've tried a few times), and she HATES co-sleeping. Yes, that's right, a baby who hates co-sleeping!!! I'd gladly sleep with her, I don't care as long as it means I can SLEEP. But she's always hated it, it's like she can't get comfortable and she just cries and gets angry. I can't even lie next to her and breastfeed her in the bed! So sad. She also hated baby slings (I spent over $500 on different kinds of slings including an Ergo before I realized... it's not the slings, it's her!)
And CC wouldn't work, even if I did want to try it, which I don't. DD's one of those babies who would cry for hours. When she wakes up at night, she can become hysterical in less than 1 minute, let alone controlled crying intervals.

Good thing sleep deprivation doesn't actually kill you.... I just feel like I'm dying some days, that's all. Especially since she now wakes for the day at 5am. This is after also waking 1-3 times during the night.... I comfort myself with the fact that child geniuses never sleep well :)

Edit: Oh and she doesn't have special needs either.... but she's definitely special!

My mum always had a bottle of Vallergan in the pantry when we were kids. You could just buy it over the counter with no questions until a few years ago.

There are two different strengths of Vallergan. Vallergan and Vallergan Forte. From what I can remember Vallergan Forte has always needed a script to be purchased but the regular strength used to be available over the counter. I am pretty sure that this product (as well as some other sedating antihistamines) have been banned in use of under 2's as there is a SIDS risk.

We had a bottle of vallergan for DS.. it's just an antihistamine that she gave us for allergies.. and dr recommended vallergan over phenergen cos it wasn't as strong. Bit confused now that I google it tho :dunno:

It didn't seem to have any more sedative effect on him than any other antihistamine type thing (like dimetapp or something) *shrug*

ETA: DS was 3 when we got this.. it was when we were in the throes of working out he had asthma.. so we haven't used this for babies or anything.

Im prety sure that vallergan and phenergan are the same thing..( promethazine (brand name Phenergan), alimemazine (Vallergan) same family of drug anyway.

I worked in a pharmacy for many years, in that time it has always been a schedule 3 drug (pharmacist only drug) must be labelled etc.., only available to under 2's on prescription only.
It was very much an over used "sleep aid" 20 or so years ago, there are still, sadly quite a few who use it to sedate their kids unnecessarily, but as you said before it is mainly a "last resort " thing these days, not many pharmacists are even keen on giving it out. (well,none that I have met!)
it can be very effective in certain circumstances, when used in the correct way.

eh... the best sleep aid is booby IMO ;) I can't imagine drugging a baby to sleep? :( We've used chamomile tea and brauers calm I think... that's as strong as we went for additional 'sleep aids' for toddlers hehe.

totally agree Liz,boobie is still working its magic here! LOL ;)

boobie doesn't always work. i haven't used drugs but i can understand people getting to that point.

Mum said she had me on vallium as a toddler, maybe she meant Vallergan.

I have only ever had one pharmacist who suggested phernergan and that was due to a UTI. If you have ever seen a toddler with an UTI, it was completely understandable. The poor lady had to counsel me to take the stuff, which in the end I was so thankful for.

I have three boys and have not had a full nights sleep in three years. I still remember cc with ds in between contractions with ds3. Ive done it all too but would never resort to drugs for sleep. Speak to your GP if your little one has sleep problems especially if they are destressed when waking and not even wanting to co sleep. If the first GP won't listen go to another then another it could be adenoids(sp) or sleep apnea (sp) which sedating your baby for could be deadly. There is a reason why they stopped handing it out so quickly.

I took my DD to an osteo today to see if that might help her. Have you tried anythign like that goddess? I figured it's worth a go

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I took my DD to an osteo today to see if that might help her. Have you tried anythign like that goddess? I figured it's worth a go

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Forgot to add osteo. girlfriend had good results with her very unsettled ds.

goddess look into magnesium and rescue rememdy, i feel you pain, DD2 didnt sleep well til after 18 months after she had grommets inserted and i night weaned her

My gf took her son to a chiro for silent reflux and sleep issues - it helped him

Sorry can someone please explain what an "osteo" is and how this can help my daughter's night waking?

EDIT: She *was* sleeping through the night at 17 months (for about 3 weeks), so she is capable of it. Wouldn't this mean that there is no underlying issue?...

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boobie doesn't always work. i haven't used drugs but i can understand people getting to that point.

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Thanks HotI, much appreciated.

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goddess look into magnesium and rescue rememdy,

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Do you mean Rescue Remedy 'Sleep'? Only just found out about that, wasn't sure if it was suitable for toddlers.

yup! that and magnesium spray, my osteo agreed that its ok/great for kids/sleep issues.

Goddess - massive hugs for you. My DD1 is 5 tomorrow and still wakes at night. It is really hard, especially when you feel you've tried it all and nothing seems to help. Take care. xxxxx

DS2 has never been a good sleeper but i could never drug him. He is getting there now but it's been slow steady gentle persuading in his own time.
I'm a bit curious though because i use Phenergan with DS1 for travel sickness and am about to try it on DS2 in a week for our flight to Sydney except this time we are trying Polaramine due to me also getting travel sickness and it's the only thing i can take while pregnant.

Everyone who would never use Vallergen etc - that's great. I'm happy for you. Much better mothers than me obviously.

I definately wasn't critisising your choice or parenting goddessofdawn but others have given you some great advice and possible avenues to look down.

goddess definatly look into natural alternatives....DD is only just consistantly sleeping through, thats due to a combo of dropping the day sleep and using magnesium (helps with relaxing muscles) and the rescue remedy (has bach in it)

It's not about being a better mother Goddess. Personally, I know I only survive because of the support I get from my DH and mum.

Goddess... I understand where you are coming from. We are in the process of seeing a physio that is doing adjustments on DD's back to cut down the night wakings. Seems to be working, but I will be trying the magnesium as well now!

I think I shocked my mother when I told her I would consider letting someone break her leg if it helped her sleep (joking!!! I cried like a big girl through the physio appointment)




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Everyone who would never use Vallergen etc - that's great. I'm happy for you. Much better mothers than me obviously.

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Not saying I am a better mother at all! I dont know what goes on in your house just the same as you don't know what goes in in mine. Just the thought of using drugs worries me because you could be masking an underlying problem. And how long would they have to be used for? I in no way meant to make you feel less of a mother for being at your wits end. Please do consider natural alternatives as they may surprise you. Hoping a good nights sleep is not too far away for you.

OLIVE - Thanks for your PM, but your inbox is full so it won't let me reply. My magnesium's from the health food store but it's not for drinking!! It's "magnesium oil spray" and you spray it on your body!! Did I get the wrong one?....

will clear my inbox...

sounds like it darl, sorry should have explained better :( can you take it back?

Oh that's ok, I googled it and all I could find was magnesium oil spray, not magnesium for drinking.... I'll check with the health food store - I'm not fussed if I can't get a refund, I'm sure I'll use it on myself if it's the wrong one. Thanks for your help. :)

write down the name of the one i pm'd you and take it with you
xx

I know a few people who swear by Rescue Remedy-Sleep.
Also, Phenergan can also have the opposite effect on people. some folks get all speedy and jittery on it. I was all for trying some on my bubs for flying but my doc warned me that it doesnt always work.

i noticed this stuff on top of my SIL fridge and remember her saying their Dr gave it to them for DD's teething, she would have been around 6 months :( i also noticed the bottle has only 1/4 left

I got given some in hospital this week, farrk i am one of the jittery ones, never again my heart was racing and I couldn't stop moving had to take lots of deep breaths it lasted 12 hours. Never letting my kids have it