Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 20, 1995                   TAG: 9507140002
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

IN HEALTH

WASHINGTON - The government approved Children's Motrin to be sold without a prescription Monday, the first new over-the-counter medicine for a child's fever and pain in 35 years.

Children's Motrin also becomes the first pediatric version of the painkiller ibuprofen to be sold without a doctor's prescription. Currently, parents can choose from nonprescription strengths of aspirin or Children's Tylenol

Prescription-strength Children's Motrin has been sold since 1989. The FDA declared the drug safe when used as directed after it was studied on 84,000 children.

- Associated Press

Tagamet gets nod as heartburn remedy

WASHINGTON - The popular ulcer drug Tagamet also became a nonprescription heartburn remedy Monday.

The Food and Drug Administration approved a lower-dose heartburn version of the potent drug that will be sold without a doctor's prescription.

The decision makes Tagamet the second potent over-the-counter heartburn remedy this year. Competitor Pepcid AC hit pharmacy shelves earlier this month, and a third drug, Zantac, is seeking FDA approval.

Unlike Pepcid, Tagamet is to be used just to treat heartburn, not to prevent it. People should not use Tagamet for more than two weeks without consulting a doctor, the FDA warned.

- Associated Press