Cold Medicines and Children Under Two
Cold Medicines and Children Under Two
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public health
advisory to parents and caregivers about over-the-counter cough and
cold remedies. The advisory was issued as a warning for parents of children
under the age of 2 years. After several reported overdoses in 2007,
the FDA has begun urging parents to avoid the use of these medicines in
young children. Several pediatric cough and cold remedies have been
taken off the market. Some of the popular medicines in this group that
may be affected by the advisory include concentrated Tylenol Infants’
Drops Plus Cold, Toddler’s Dimetapp, Triaminic Infant, and Little Colds.
Some studies have shown that over-the-counter cold and cough medicines
are not effective in very young children, and serious and even life
threatening side effects can occur. The FDA is also looking at making
recommendations for use in children ages 2-11, but has not yet issued a
statement. The advisory also reminds caregivers to dose children only as
directed on the label and not use these products to sedate children.