KEY POINTS:
Government drug safety watchdog Medsafe is warning parents not to give cough and cold medicines to children under two years of age.
In a statement released today Medsafe interim manager Dr Stewart Jessamine said cough and cold medicines should never be given to children under two.
Extra care should be taken with older children.
The warning was similar to one issued in the United States recently, he said.
"An expert review, completed late last year, found that there was no evidence that cough and cold medicines reduce the symptoms of cough and colds in children."
The Medsafe and Medicines Adverse Reactions Committee (MARC) reviewed US reports of deaths and serious side effects from accidental overdoses in children under two years.
There have been no similar reports in New Zealand, Dr Jessamine said, however the National Poisons Centre has received a number of calls about overdoses of cough and cold medicines in children under two years requiring medical attention.
"Based on the evidence of harm and the absence of benefit, the MARC recommended that these medicines should not be used by children under two years," he said.
Medsafe wanted to strengthen the current warnings so parents were aware these medicines should not be used on children younger than two under any circumstances.
Currently most labels for over-the-counter cough and cough medicines advise against use in children under two years except upon medical advice.
If it is necessary to give a cough and cold product to an older child, parents should read all labels and instructions - if the product does not contain dose information for children, then it should not be used.
Dr Jessamine said parents should also take care not to unintentionally overdose children as often different products contained the same medicinal ingredients and combined use could lead to overdose.
"There is no cure for the common cold. Children will usually recover from coughs and colds in time on their own. The common cold is a mild, viral infection that can be managed by rest, sufficient fluid intake and comfort measures," he said.
- NZPA
