Is it safe to give my young children cough and cold products?

Monday, October 24, 2011   by: Manuel dos ReisThis is a question we’ve been getting more & more since the fall. Health Canada made an announcement last fall regarding the safety of cough & cold products in children under 6 years of age. Health Canada has decided to prohibit the use of most oral non-prescription cough & cold products in children under 6. Effective fall 2009, Health Canada will require manufacturers to re-label OTC cough & cold medicines that have dosing information for children to indicate that these medicines should not be used for kids under 6. Most pharmacies now have information tear sheets and/or lists of the relevant medicines. Keep in mind this announcement was not a recall. No products have been discontinued or pulled from shelves.

Bottom line: Can I still use these medicines in my children?

For the most part yes, but contact your physician or pharmacist for dosing information & dosing appropriateness… Unfortunately, there are no quick easy answers on this one.

For more information feel free to contact me at 705-942-3752.

Or view the government website at :

www.hc-sc.gc.ca