The Food and Drug Administration has issued a public health advisory to warn parents and caregivers about the use of over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products for children under the age of 2. These products need to be avoided completely for sick babies and toddlers “because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur,” announced Charles Ganley, MD, director of the FDA’s Office of Nonprescription Products. “These medicines, which treat symptoms and not the underlying condition, have not been shown to be safe or effective in children under 2,” he went on to say. In the same announcement, the FDA said it is reviewing whether these OTC medicines can be used safely for children 2 to 11 years old. This is not the first warning about cough and cold remedies when it comes to young children: Last October, drug companies quit selling dozens of these medications targeted specifically to babies and toddlers. For more information go to Child Health Advisory.

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