Health Canada warns parents to steer clear of cold and cough medicine for children under 6.
Spokesperson for Health Canada, Maryse Durette, says over-the-counter medicines are not effective and cause some side effects.
“The side effects were the kids being drowsy or not being able to function at full capacity,” said Durette.
Durette says the biggest reason not to treat kids’ colds with medicine is they simply don’t work–and that’s not all.
“Not only did we find that the efficiency was not up to par, but we found that serious harm including misuse or overdose or side effects may occur in children under six years of age,” explained Durette.
A study was done by Health Canada back in 2009 and manufacturers were told to re-label over-the-counter medications containing certain active ingredients.
Durette says non-medicinal remedies can often provide more relief of symptoms such as proper bed rest, sufficient humidity levels and hydration and non-medicinal nasal asperators to relieve congestion.
She says parents should also be aware of the difference between a cold and the flu.
A list of symptoms detailing the difference and recommended ways to remedy the two illnesses can be found by clicking on this link.
