NZ looks at cold and flu products after UK deaths

The Ministry of Health will check the availability of cold and flu remedies said to have harmed or killed several British youngsters. Photo / Herald file

Health officials will today move to check the availability of more than 60 cough and flu medications after UK authorities ordered warning labels for the products, which have been linked to dozens of deaths.

Britain's Telegraph newspaper yesterday reported more than 60 over-the-counter medicines would be marked with warnings that they must not be given to children under 6, and are not recommended for those under 12.

Many of the medicines have been specifically labelled as being suitable for children.

The move comes after dozens of British youngsters who took the medicines died and others suffered hallucinations and allergic reactions.

In NZ, Health Ministry spokesman Michael Flyger told the Herald drug authority Medsafe "will consider the advice from the UK and work quickly to consider whether similar moves are required here in New Zealand".

The first step would be to ascertain exactly which products are available in New Zealand, he said.

The British warnings cover a range of ingredients: the nasal decongestants pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline and xylometazoline; the antihistamines diphenhydramine, chlorphenamine, bromopheniramine, promethazine, triprolidine and doxylamine; the cough suppressants dextromethorphan and pholcodine and the expectorants guaifenesin and ipecacuanha.

The Telegraph said reports had shown that when cases involving people of all ages were taken into consideration, dozens had died after taking medication containing the ingredients.

Meanwhile, more than 3000 had reported "adverse reactions". Diphenhydramine, which is used in Benylin Children's Coughs and Colds, was mentioned in reports of 27 deaths, while chlorphenamine, an ingredient in Tixylix Cough and Cold, was mentioned in reports of 11 deaths.

The British Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said a review of 69 cough and cold remedies for children had "found no robust evidence that these medicines work" and gave warning that "they can cause side-effects, such as allergic reactions, effects on sleep or hallucinations".

* On the British warning list

6 Benylin products including Chesty Coughs and Benylin 4 Flu

5 Vicks products including Cold & Flu Care Daymed Capsules and Cold & Flu care Medinite Complete Syrup

4 Lemsip products including Max Cold & Flu and Max Sinus Capsules

3 Tixylix products: Cough and Cold, Chesty Cough and Night Cough