FDA: Cough, cold meds unsafe for kids under two

18 Jan 2008

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to parents regarding the unsuitability of over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines for toddlers and babies.

According to the FDA, cough and cold products including decongestants, antihistamines and cough suppressants used to treat cold symptoms could produce serious and potentially fatal side-effects in children under the age of two.

Charles Ganley, director of the FDA's Office of Nonprescription Products, said: "The FDA strongly recommends to parents and caregivers that OTC cough and cold medicines [are] not be used for children younger than two.

"These medicines, which treat symptoms and not the underlying condition, have not been shown to be safe or effective in children under two."

The guidelines follow the decision of leading OTC cough and cold medicine makers to voluntarily withdraw infant oral products for the treatment of children under two years old.

In response, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association has offered its support of the FDA's latest announcement on the issue.

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