Revised: 29 May 2013
Safety Information
Use of Cough and Cold Medicines in Children - Updated advice
Further information on the recommendations
The Cough and Cold Review Group recommended that all oral medicines indicated for the treatment of the symptoms of the common cold containing: guaifenesin, ipecacuanha, dextromethorphan, pholcodine, oral phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, brompheniramine, chlorphenamine, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, promethazine or triprolidine be contraindicated for use in children under six years of age.
The Cough and Cold Review Group recommended that all medicines indicated for the treatment of the symptoms of the common cold containing only bromhexine or topical nasal decongestants (oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, and intra-nasal phenylephrine) remain contraindicated in children under two years of age.
The Cough and Cold Review Group recommended that a referral be made to the Medicines Classification Committee to review the classification of all medicines indicated for the treatment of the symptoms of the common cold.
The Cough and Cold Review Group made further recommendations to help improve the safe use of cough and cold medicines.
The Cough and Cold Review Group advised Medsafe on the communication and implementation of the above recommendations.
Further information on the recommendations can be found in the minutes
of the second meeting of the Cough and Cold Review Group, available on the
Medsafe website at the following link:
Minutes of the second meeting of the
Cough and Cold Review Group
Further information on the definition of contraindication can be found
in the questions and answers section available on the Medsafe website at
the following link:
Questions and Answers on over the counter cough
and cold medicines
