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FDA May Ban Cold Medicines for Young Children

Overdoses are common, and death possible in kids under 6

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 29, 2007 8:35 AM CDT

(Newser) – FDA experts have concluded that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are not safe for very young children, and they're urging the agency to ban them. In a safety review released yesterday, they conclude that the medicines are not proven effective in children under 6 and have been implicated in more than 100 deaths. Most of the deaths were children under 2, and many were thought to be due to overdoses.

The action would affect some 800 medicines targeted to kids with names like Toddler's Dimetapp, Triminic Infant, and Little Colds. Doctors have requested that the FDA pull "infant" formulations from the market and standardize the droppers and cups sold with products for children to reduce the risk of overdoes. A set of outside experts will meet later this month to offer recommendations to the FDA, the New York Times reports.

FDA Cautions Against Cold Medicine For Young Kids (Getty Images (by Event))

Teen Use Of Cold Medicine As A Recreational Drug On The Rise (Getty Images)

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FDA May Ban Cold Medicines for Young Children

Overdoses are common, and death possible in kids under 6

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