Today, the makers of over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines warned that these products should not be given to children less than 4 years old. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association, a trade association of manufacturers and distributors of OTC medicines and nutritional supplements, are voluntarily labeling OTC pediatric cough and cold medicines as not for use in children under 4 years old. They also recommended that parents do not use products with antihistamines to sedate or make a child sleepy.

Many pediatrician groups have called for the banning of OTC cough and cold medicines in children less than 6 years of age, claiming that there is insufficient evidence that they work in that age group and that these medicines are associated with thousands of safety problems. Previously, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that OTC cough and cold products not be used in infants and children under 2 years of age due to potential serious side effects. However, the FDA has not yet issued a statement about the use of such products in children older than 2 years.

During the upcoming cold season, parents should be careful to use pediatric cough and cold products exactly as labeled and only when necessary.  

Your peers and experts at Healia Communities can answer your questions about cold and flu.