New rules for children's cough and cold medicines
Publication Date:27/03/2008
Parents have been told not to give certain over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to children under two years old, because of safety fears. Parents are being advised to use only simple medicines for young children's coughs and colds, including paracetamol, ibuprofen and simple cough syrups.
What do we know already?
In the US, a review of the safety of cough and cold medicines for young children found several worrying cases where children had been seriously harmed. These cases were mainly when children under the age of two had been accidentally given a dose that was too high. The Food and Drug Administration, which carried out the review, announced that certain cough and cold medicines should no longer be used in children younger than two years old.
There have been far fewer reports of these medicines harming children in the UK. But, to be on the safe side, the body that monitors the safety of medicines in the UK has also decided to limit the medicines that can be used for very young children.
What does the new report say?
Cough and cold medicines containing the following ingredients should no longer be used for children under the age of two:
- Brompheniramine, chlorphenamine and diphenhydramine (antihistamines)
- Dextromethorphan and pholcodine (cough suppressants)
- Guaifenesin and ipecacuanha (expectorants to help you cough up phlegm)
- Phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, oxymetazoline and xylometazoline (decongestants to unblock nasal passages).
Some medicines containing these ingredients were aimed specifically at young children. So the companies that make them have agreed to stop selling them on open shop shelves. You can still buy them from a pharmacist for older children. These medicines are:
- Asda Children's Chesty Cough Syrup
- Boots Chesty Cough Syrup 1 Year Plus
- Boots Sore Throat and Cough Linctus 1 Year Plus
- Buttercup Infant Cough Syrup
- CalCough Chesty
- Children's Chesty Cough.
Where does the report come from?
The report comes from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which is a body set up to oversee the safety of medicines in the UK.
What does this mean for me?
This is important advice for anyone with a child under the age of two. It means you should avoid giving certain medicines to your child.
All cough and cold medicines with the listed ingredients are being relabelled to make it clear they are not suitable for children under two and to give additional instructions in relation to children aged two to six years. But this is a big job and may not be finished until October this year. So in the meantime, parents need to be alert and read the list of ingredients, or ask a pharmacist whether a medicine is suitable for a young child.
The MHRA has recommended some treatments that are suitable for young children with coughs and colds. But you still need to take great care not to give more than the recommended dose.
To lower a child's temperature, you can use paracetamol or ibuprofen. For treating coughs, you can use a simple cough syrup, such as glycerol, honey or lemon. Nasal drops of saline (sterile salt water) can be used to help unblock babies' noses if they are having trouble feeding. You can also help relieve a child's blocked-up nose using vapour rubs and inhaled decongestants that you put on children's clothing, such as menthol. Inhaled decongestants used as rubs or on pillows are not advised for children under 3 months.
What should I do now?
If you have a child under two, you need to be careful about the medicines you give them. Always read the label, and don't give your child any medicines that include ingredients on the list above. If you've bought medicines in the past that contain these ingredients, you might want to take them to a pharmacy to dispose of them properly, so they don't get used by accident.
If you have a child older than two, you still need to be careful about medicines. Always read the instructions carefully, and be sure not to give more than the stated dose for the child's age. Don't give your child more than one type of cough or cold medicine, as they might have the same ingredients. Always use the spoon or measuring device included with the medicine, to be sure you give the right amount.
If you are concerned about your child's condition, or you are confused about which medicines are safe to use, ask a pharmacist, your health visitor or another healthcare professional.
From:
Updated advice - Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for young children. Press release from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Published online 27 March 2008.
To find out more, read our information on cough and the common cold.
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© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2007. All rights reserved
This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
