The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued an urgent advisory: avoid prescribing or giving cough syrups to children under 2 years. For kids under 5, use with extreme caution, minimal doses, and short durations. This comes amid growing concerns over cough syrup risks for children, highlighting hidden dangers in common over-the-counter remedies.
Dr. Shashank Trivedi, Consultant Paediatrics and Neonatology at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Kanpur, warns that cough syrups can be a "hidden risk" due to ingredients like Dextromethorphan, an antitussive that suppresses cough by affecting the brain. While it provides temporary relief for colds or flu, it doesn't cure the cause and can be deadly in excess.
Common side effects include drowsiness, restlessness, stomach upset, vomiting, confusion, irregular heartbeat, and in severe cases, seizures or breathing difficulties. Dr. Trivedi emphasizes avoiding syrups for children under 6 unless prescribed by a pediatrician, aligning with American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines: no OTC cough meds under 4, and only doctor-recommended for 4-6.
Dosing depends on age, weight, and formulation—self-medication is risky. Precautions include checking allergies, avoiding if smoking or with mucus-heavy coughs, and consulting doctors for asthma or pregnancy.
Parents are urged to opt for safer alternatives like warm fluids, saline drops, steam, or honey (over 1 year). As investigations continue, this crisis underscores the need for stricter regulations on children's medications to prevent such avoidable losses.
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