FDA advisory on cough, cold meds for children under two

The FDA has issued an advisory warning for parents never to give cough and cold medicines to children under the age of two unless instructed to do so by a doctor. The warning is part of a broad reassessment by the agency of the safety of the popular medicines, which have been blamed for hundreds of adverse reactions and a handful of deaths in children under the age of two. The FDA?s Nonprescription Drugs and Pediatric Advisory Committees will meet on Oct. 18 and 19 to discuss issues related to cough and cold medicines. A citizen petition submitted to the FDA on March 1 raised concerns about the safety and efficacy of cough and cold products in children under six years of age. The petition and additional information can be found at