Ditch Cold Meds for Tots: FDA

Although cold and cough medicine manufacturers pulled their baby and toddler lines off the shelves in October, the FDA is issuing an official advisory today to warn parents of the risk of giving any such remedies to children under 2. The government worries that uninformed parents are simply dosing their sniffly little ones with old medicines still in their home or products aimed at older kids, AP reports.

The FDA announced last fall that cold meds don't actually benefit toddlers, and should be avoided even for any children younger than 6 for fear of rare but "serious and potentially life-threatening side effects." Another official advisory on the riskiness of medicating older children is expected by spring. In the meantime, the prescription seems to be bed rest and liquids. (More FDA stories.)