This is not really a new story, but it is being widely reported in the press right now. The FDA has posted on its website (though it is very hard to find) the analysis and research in advance of an advisory committee meeting on October 18. We have previously reported that the FDA is considering new regulations for cough and cold medicines in children less than 6 years old. The information in the analysis is simply a summary of what is already known, including the fact that there is no evidence that these medicines work in children less than two years old, and that some young children have been harmed or have died from taking them. It also includes the opinions of the American Academy of Pediatrics and others that the medicines should not be used in young children.
The report, all 356 pages of it, is really a good summary of all the evidence and the issues related to the use of these medicines in young children. I have posted a link to the document in case anyone out there is interested.
