Infant Sedative used in 70s. Thorazine?

[AlmostAPpropriate]

Im trying to do some research into possible long term effects of a sedative given to my sister as an infant. As the family lore goes, she wouldnt sleep for days until the Dr. gave her a Rx for a sedative - she slept for 2 days straight. Mom says it may have been Thor...something.

Anyone know?

Xpost Parenting

[SunshineJ]

Most likely it was something called peragoric. According to my parents it was WONDERFUL stuff, and at first did not need a prescription, then they had to sign for it, then it was prescription only. Someone finally wised up that it was an opium derivitive.

[baglady]

Originally Posted by SunshineJ

Most likely it was something called peragoric. According to my parents it was WONDERFUL stuff, and at first did not need a prescription, then they had to sign for it, then it was prescription only. Someone finally wised up that it was an opium derivitive.

Peragoric was very common at one time. My grandmother brags about her kids sleeping through the night at 2 weeks failing to realize it was because they were drugged with opium.

[Jane]

Thorazine seems unusual, it's a "major tranquilizer" aka an anti-psychotic. It can be sedating, but it certainly wouldn't be something prescribed for a toddler. Paragoric seems more likely. Or even Benadryl
Diazapam or Phenobarbatol would be overkill, but of a lesser extent than Thorazine!
Valium would probably be inappropriate for a toddler.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by baglady

Peragoric was very common at one time. My grandmother brags about her kids sleeping through the night at 2 weeks failing to realize it was because they were drugged with opium.

Ditto this

[NiteNicole]

My aunt was given Phenobarbatol for her son when he was an infant. This was in the mid 80s.

[jeminijad]

I get that this was the better living through science generation, and I can somewhat understand buying the formula is better line, but... drugging newborns?

Was this really common?

[leavemealone]

Interesting. I remember my mom saying that my oldest brother had very bad colic and the dr gave them a medicine that would just knock him totally out. He was born in 1970 so maybe it was the same drug. I don't recall her ever mentioning the name and may not even remember it at this point.

[sewchris2642]

Originally Posted by jeminijad

I get that this was the better living through science generation, and I can somewhat understand buying the formula is better line, but... drugging newborns?

Was this really common?

Not that I'm aware of. My brother was born in 1960. My first was born in 1978. I have never heard of drugging babies so they will sleep. Joy's ped. did suggest Benadryl for Joy so that she could sleep when her coughing was keeping her awake after being sick. But she was over 6 (can't remember her age but she was elementary school age and Angela was no longer an infant) at the time.

[JessBB]

My parents were offered some kind of sleep aid when I was an infant (1978). I've never gotten a straight answer as to whether they gave it to me, which leads me to believe that they probably did. Also, they have held a grudge against me for my entire life because I was such a difficult infant and toddler (prob what we on MDC would classify as high-needs.) TO THIS DAY they bring it up all the time to the extent that it is a sticking point in their relationship with dh. It is one of the big reasons that I practice AP and gentle night time parenting. All this by way of saying, yes there was such a drug and yes, lots of parents used it.

[JessieBird]

My MIL is constantly telling me to ask the doctor for it, though she doesn't remember what "it" was called. I consider DS to be a very easy baby/toddler so this really ticks me off. She thinks we're nuts to take him on plane rides without doping him up.

And I have friends who said they always looked forward to the "special lemon drink" they got before road trips. (it was Neo Citrin!!!)

I hope you find out what your sister was given and that the info helps to answer your questions.

[TEAK's Mom]

It was probably peragoric.

I do know someone who had "special green milk" every night. Yeah. It was Nyquill mixed with milk. Those are some messed up parents. (and I can't even contemplate the flavor)

[StoriesInTheSoil]

Paragoric was what came to my mind. I know that it's use was pretty widespread.

[azdesertrn]

I also would guess paregoric. I think its still used to treat intestinal issues/diarrhea in adults.

[tanyam926]

I have never heard of this before, it makes me sick.

I am constantly amazed at what the medical community is able to get away with.

[Kelly1101]

Originally Posted by TEAK's Mom

I do know someone who had "special green milk" every night. Yeah. It was Nyquill mixed with milk.

Holy CRAP!

[muttmom92]

Originally Posted by SunshineJ

Most likely it was something called peragoric. According to my parents it was WONDERFUL stuff, and at first did not need a prescription, then they had to sign for it, then it was prescription only. Someone finally wised up that it was an opium derivitive.

My sister was colicky and my parents gave it to her. She was born in '74.

[LizLizard]

According to my mom, she was prescribed Phenobarbitol for my "colic" as a baby. When my 2nd was having serious GI issues and her sleep was crap, she brought it up ALL THE TIME as a sure-fire solution. I was born in '74 as well.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by NiteNicole

My aunt was given Phenobarbatol for her son when he was an infant. This was in the mid 80s.

My parents gave it to me in the 70's

I also have infertility issues

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

OMG people actually used to drug their babies to make them sleep thats awful.
I hated the fact that my daughter was given diazepam but she had been fitting for over 30 mins with no signs of coming round.