Avoid cough syrups for kids below 6, say studies

CAUSE FOR WORRY: One of the ingredients of cough syrups that have doctors worried is Dextromethrophan.

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Keywords: Decongestants, Cough Syrup

New Delhi: A US FDA study has found that well over 100 children died due to the use of decongestants and antihistamines in the country between 1996 and 2006.

Another report, from the Centre for Disease control, based on a study conducted during 2004- 05,found that 1,519 toddlers in the US were taken to hospital emergency rooms for side effects associated with the use of cough and cold medications, including overdoses. The studies have raised concerns about the safety of these drugs being used in India.

“While there is a move to ban these drugs for kids in the US, the Indian Paediatric Association also feels that a similar move should be made here. A doctor's prescription should be made mandatory,” says Senior Consultant, Paediatrics, Max Hospital, Dr Nitin Verma.

One of the ingredients of cough syrups that have doctors worried is Dextromethrophan. A common ingredient in most cough syrups, it is not a drug that suits all types of conditions.

“A child with asthma should not be given a cough syrup with Dextromethrophan as it can cause adverse reactions,” says Verma.

Then there are also side effects to be kept in mind. Dextromethrophan can cause body rashes, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision high BP, diarrhoea. Dosage also needs to be carefully monitored.

Medicines, including cough syrups, are prescribed, keeping in mind a child's weight and not just age. While there may not be any advisory on cough syrups in India, the clear message is that you need to refrain from self-prescription, especially for your child.