Cough, cold medicines 'bad for kids'

London, Mar 1 (ANI): Kids should not be given over-the-counter cough and cold medicines because they are ineffective and can be harmful.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said that a review of 69 cough and cold remedies for children had 'found no robust evidence that these medicines work' and gave warning that 'they can cause side effects, such as allergic reactions, effects on sleep or hallucinations'.

The alert centres on 15 ingredients found in most cough and cold medicines, many of which have been used by drug companies for years, reports the Telegraph.

Several children have died from overdoses of the medicines. The deaths of at least five kids under two have been linked to the remedies and more than 100 serious cases of suspected adverse reactions have been reported, with children requiring hospital treatment.

There has been growing concern about cold remedies for children, particularly when parents miscalculate the dose, give additional doses or combine products containing similar ingredients.

By March next year, all over-the-counter cough and cold remedies containing the 15 ingredients will have warning labels on their packaging. (ANI)