The narcotic hydrocodone is widely used as a cough suppressant and is common in adult and pediatric prescription cough syrups. However, only seven out of several hundred products are actually FDA approved, and the FDA has announced that manufacturers must stop making unapproved products containing hydrocodone by the end of the year.
The agency is particularly concerned about the use of these cough syrups in children under 6 years old. They note that there is no approved dose for children under 6, yet many of these cough syrups are marketed for use in children as young as 2 years of age. Hydrocodone overdose can cause respiratory depression, cardiac arrest, and death. Companies have until the end of October to stop making and selling products containing hydrocodone for children less than 6 years old.
Though I do not prescribe these medicines to young children, I do see them prescribed often by others, and I receive material marketing them for use in children as young as 2 years old. Not only are they not safe in young children, they have not been shown to be effective either, and using them puts children at risk with little to no potential benefit in return.
