Oral pediatric cough and cold medicines have been available over-the-counter for decades and used by millions of parents and other caregivers when treating their children’s cough and cold symptoms. These medicines are very safe when used as directed. Unfortunately, in rare cases, misuse or accidental ingestion leading to overdose has led to serious adverse events in young children.
Although adverse events related to cough and cold medicines are rare and most often occur in children under age two, the makers of medicines voluntarily have changed labels to help encourage the appropriate use of these medicines. Adult cough and cold medicines are not part of these label updates.
The medications themselves are the same medicines parents have relied upon for years when caring for children, but they now have new labels that advise parents and caregivers not to use them for children under age 4. Current dosing instructions for children, age 4 and older, did not change. In addition, oral OTC cough and cold medicines containing antihistamines (which are clearly labeled with that word in the “uses” section of the Drug Facts label) carry a new warning: Do not use to sedate or make a child sleepy.
More information can be found on OTCsafety.org.
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