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Review
. 2009 Nov;55(11):1081-3.

Use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children

Allan E Shefrin, Ran D Goldman
Review

Use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children

Allan E Shefrin et al. Can Fam Physician. 2009 Nov.

Abstract
in English, French

Question: Every winter I see numerous children in my office with cold symptoms. Is it safe and effective to use over-the-counter cough and cold medications to alleviate their symptoms?

Answer: Over-the-counter cough and cold medications are not effective in treating children with the common cold and might cause serious side effects, including death. New recommendations restricting use in Canada to those older than 6 years of age are effective immediately, with relabeling of products starting in the fall of 2009.

QUESTION Chaque hiver, beaucoup d’enfants se présentent à mon cabinet avec des symptômes du rhume. Est-il sûr et efficace d’utiliser des médicaments en vente libre contre la toux et le rhume pour atténuer leurs symptômes?

RÉPONSE Les médicaments en vente libre contre la toux et le rhume ne sont pas efficaces pour traiter les enfants qui ont le rhume et pourraient causer des effets secondaires sérieux, y compris la mort. De nouvelles recommandations préconisant de ne pas utiliser ces médicaments au Canada chez les enfants de moins de 6 ans sont en vigueur immédiatement et l’étiquetage de ces produits doit être modifié à compter de l’automne 2009.

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References

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