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Based on a 365-page review published by FDA last month, safety experts recommended the ban of decongestant for use in children under 2 years old and antihistamines in children younger than 6. The recommendation suggested that these formulations be taken out of the market. It also proposed the standardization of products for infants like syringes, droppers and cups to reduce confusion and overdose. The proposed warning included approximately 800 popular medicines sold in the United States.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 1,500 children under the age of two treated with common cold and cough medicines suffered serious health problems. Between 1969 and 2006, there were 69 reports of children’s deaths related with antihistamine products containing chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine or brompheniramine, and at least 54 deaths with decongestants having ephedrine, phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine.

Another narcotic commonly used to suppress cough and treat pain is hydrocodone with more than 200 children’s products existing in the market for decades. But none of these medicines ever received approval from FDA because of some reports about their abuse and improper use. Overdose of this drug can cause cardiac arrest and damage motor skills. FDA announced that by October 31, hydrocodone manufacturers must stop making these products for children under 6.

Last Thursday, the drug manufacturers voluntarily withdrew the sales of over-the-counter cough and colds formulations for infants. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association said that the infant drops includes leading brand names like Robitussin, Dimetapp, Triaminic, Pediacare, Little Colds and Tylenol.