FDA: Cough & cold medications for infants
FDA: Don't give cough/cold medications to children under age 2 without doctor's approval
The federal Food & Drug Administration has reassessed the safety of children's cough & cold medications for the first time in decades and has concluded that such over-the-counter medications as Toddler's Dimetapp, Infant Triaminic and Little Cold should never be given to infants under age 2 without their doctor's approval, according to an article in the August 15, 2007 New York Times.
The FDA found that in higher doses these medications can affect the heart's electrical conduction system and lead to arrhythmias, and that some medications can cause high blood pressure and strokes. In some cases, these injuries occurred even though the children had been given the recommended dose.
