Kids' OTC cold medicines are relabeled

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. manufacturers of children's over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are voluntarily changing their labeling for treatment of young children.

Linda Suydam, president of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, said while such medicines are safe and effective when used as directed, the manufacturers are changing the labeling of such preparations to warn "do not use" in children under 4 years of age. Currently, such medications caution about use in children less than 2 years old.

"Research shows that dosing errors and accidental ingestions -- not the safety of the ingredients themselves when properly dosed -- are the leading causes of rare adverse events in young children," said Suydam in a statement. "As a result, the leading manufacturers of oral OTC pediatric cough and cold medicines are moving forward on both the design and implementation of initiatives aimed at encouraging the appropriate use of these medicines."

The CHPA, which represents U.S. manufacturers and distributors of over-the-counter medicines and nutritional supplements, said products containing certain antihistamines are also being relabeled to warn against using antihistamines to sedate children. New, more child resistant packaging is also being adopted.

Adult cough and cold medicines aren't affected by the labeling update.