Canada mandates relabeling of kids' drugs

OTTAWA, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Health Canada says it will require relabeling of all over-the-counter cough and cold medicines sold in Canada for use in children under the age of 12.

Officials said the new labels must indicate the medications should not be used in children under 6 years old. The products affected are those containing any active ingredients that are given orally:

--Antihistamines: brompheniramine maleate, chlorpheniramine maleate, clemastine hydrogen fumerate, dexbrompheniramine maleate, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, doxylamine succinate, pheniramine maleate, phenyltoloxamine citrate, promethazine hydrochloride, pyrilamine maleate and triprolidine hydrochloride.

--Antitussives: dextromethorphan, dextromethorphan hydrobromide or diphenhydramine hydrochloride.

--Expectorants: guaifenesin (glyceryl guaiacolate).

--Decongestants: ephedrine hydrochloride/sulphate, phenylephrine hydrochloride/sulphate or pseudoephedrine hydrochloride/sulphate.

Health Canada said the relabeling of the medications will be completed by next fall.