Tuesday, December 15, 2009

PLEASE note scheduling changes for the following OTC Cough and Cold medicines for children aged 2-12 years old:

1. Anthistamines: Brompheniramine, Chlorpheniramine (PIRITON), Dexchlorpheniramine, Diphendyramine (BENADRYL), Doxylamine, Pheniramine, Promethazine (Phenergan), and Triprolidine.
2. Antitussives: Codeine, Dextromethorphan, Dihydrocodeine, Pentoxyverine and Pholdodine.
3. Expectorants/mucolytics: Ammonium chloride, Bromhexine, Guaifenesin, Ipecacuanha, Senega and Ammonia.
4. Decongestants: Oxymetazoline, Phenylephrine, Pseudoephedrine and Xylometazoline.

Regulatory authorities for 5 countries: Australia, USA, UK, Canada and New Zealand have conduct safety and efficacy reviews of these medicines for children under 2 years old and concluded they should not be given to children in that age group.

The TGA (Australia) proposes that:

* OTC cough and cold should NOT be used ofr children <6 years old and only for children between 6-12 years old on the advice of doctors and pharmacists.

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