US drug authority advises against giving cough syrup to kids

Here is a ruling of the US Federal Drug administration which will be of interest to doctors and others elsewhere too.

The FDA on Thursday urged parents and caregivers not to give over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines to children younger than two years because of dangerous side effects.

Charles Ganley, MD, director of FDA's Office of Non-prescription Products said at a news conference that serious and potentially life-threatening side effects could occur from the use of these products on children, according to a report published by WebMD.

The report by Miranda Hitti of WebMD Medical News, which was reviewed by Louise Chang, MD, can be seen at http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20080117/fda-no-cough-cold-drugs-for-tots?ecd=wnl_nal_011708