The Food and Drug Adminstration issued a public health advisory on Thursday cautioning parents against giving children under the age of 2 over the counter cough and cold medications.
Among the biggest concerns to pediatricians are that the ingredients in the medicine can make children hyperactive, irritable and can even be deadly. A 2005 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control found that over a one year period, more than 1,500 babies and toddlers ended up in hospital emergency rooms after being given doses of cough and cold medicine.
On October 12, 2007, a group of pharmaceutical companies lead by Johnson & Johnson and Wyeth voluntarily recalled the infant medicines. However, the FDA felt the new advisory was warranted since many parents still likely have medications at home or have not heard of the warnings.
