AAP News Vol. 15 No. 9 September 1999, p. 2
© 1999 American Academy of Pediatrics
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Reducing ear pain while flying

Carla Kemp

Giving children pseudoephedrine hydrochloride prior to flying did not decrease the incidence of ear pain, but it did make them drowsy, according to a Utah study of 50 children on 91 flights.

Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride has been shown to prevent ear pain among adults with a history of discomfort during air travel. The authors hypothesized the over-the-counter decongestant also would reduce the occurrence of ear pain among children, especially those considered high-risk due to recent or current upper respiratory tract infection symptoms.

The researchers randomly assigned the children, ages 6 months to 6 years, to receive an oral dose of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride or a placebo 30 to 60 minutes before departure.