On October 11, 2007, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association announced that all over the counter cold and cough medications marketed for infants will be voluntarily withdrawn due to safety concerns. The CHPA announced that these medications are being withdrawn due to potential misuse leading to overdose in rare instances. The association maintains that these medications are safe if used according to the manufacturer's instructions. But because of recent reports of overdosing in infants, the manufacturers have decided to withdraw these products from the market. The complete list of withdrawn medications includes:
- Dimetapp Decongestant Plus Cough Infant Drops
- Dimetapp Decongestant Infant Drops
- Little Colds Decongestant Plus Cough
- Little Colds Multi-Symptom Cold Formula
- Pediacare Infant Drops Decongestant
- Pediacare Infant Drops Decongestant & Cough
- Pediacare Infant Dropper Decongestant
- Pediacare Infant Dropper Long Acting Cough
- Pediacare Infant Dropper Decongestant & Cough
- Robitussin Infant Cough DM Drops
- Triaminic Infant and Toddler Thin Strips Decongestant
- Triaminic Infant and Toddler Thin Strips Decongestant Plus Cough
- Tylenol Concentrated Infants' Drops Plus Cold
- Tylenol Concentrated Infants' Drops Plus Cold & Cough
In addition to the withdrawal of these medications, the CHPA has recommended that the FDA change the labels on children's medications for children under two from "ask a doctor" to "do not use." The FDA met on October 18 and 19, 2007 to discuss the use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children. Read about their findings and recommendations.
Source:
"Makers of OTC Cough and Cold Medicines Announce Voluntary Withdrawal of Oral Infant Medicines." News Release 11 Oct 07. Consumer Healthcare Products Association. 11 Oct 07.
