Did "Vallergan" used to be routinely prescribed?

**goddessofdawn** · June 8th, 2011, 10:14 PM

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?

**nothing2lose** · June 8th, 2011, 10:21 PM

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.

**Jakabella** · June 8th, 2011, 10:21 PM

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

**~Kim~** · June 8th, 2011, 10:26 PM

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.

**Ginger** · June 8th, 2011, 10:28 PM

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

**kelsbels** · June 8th, 2011, 10:29 PM

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!

**goddessofdawn** · June 8th, 2011, 10:34 PM

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!

**Tinks** · June 8th, 2011, 10:35 PM

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.

**~Stoked~** · June 8th, 2011, 10:40 PM

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.

**Liz** · June 8th, 2011, 10:43 PM

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

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.

**STARRYSKY** · June 8th, 2011, 10:49 PM

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.

**Liz** · June 8th, 2011, 11:34 PM

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.

**STARRYSKY** · June 8th, 2011, 11:50 PM

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

**HotI** · June 9th, 2011, 09:35 AM

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

**Astrid** · June 9th, 2011, 07:57 PM

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.

**zap** · June 9th, 2011, 08:58 PM

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.