Cough, cold medicines not for young children: U.S. health officials

U.S. health officials on Fridaysaid parents should notgive their young childrencough and cold medications, saying the products pose serious health risks.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a report released Fridaychildren under the age of two shouldnot use decongestants andthose underage six should not be given antihistamine medicines.

The FDA also said warning labels should be added to prescription and over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, cautioning parents about potential overdose risks for toddlers.

TheFDAis slated tomeet inOctober to discuss the safety and effectiveness of children's cough and cold medicines. Baltimore city officials recently filed a petition with the federal agency to review the use of the medicines.

Critics say the tagline cautioning parents to check with their physicians may be misleading.

"The basic question is, why should a product be so relentlessly marketed when it's not safe or effective?" said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Baltimore's health commissioner.

"It does not make sense, in the absence of information, to say 'consult a physician,' because they do not have superhuman powers. They cannot make a product safe or effective."

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which represents manufacturers of over-the-counter medications, said it is also submitting reports to the FDA for review. The association said it supports "strengthening" the labelling.

"We are recommending strengthening the labels on these medicines to help reduce misuse and confusion about using these medicines with children, particularly in those children under the age of two," said Linda A. Suydam, the association's president in a release Friday.

1,500 toddlers treated over 2 years

In January, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report that said emergency rooms treated 1,500 toddlers and infants who were given cough and cold medicine over a two-year period. Doctors advised parents to give their children lots of fluids and wait out the course of the cold in place of giving children cold medicines.

The FDA warned parents in August that children under the age of two might suffer serious adverse side-effects if given cough and cold medicine. The federal agency also urged parents to meet with their doctors to discuss appropriate dosage and use of medicines for children.

Health Canada also in August confirmed it was assessing the use of cough and cold medication for children younger than two years old.