PARENTS AND childminders should seek the advice of a doctor or pharmacist before giving any medication to children under two years, the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) has said.
The call comes as a number cough and cold remedies aimed at treating young children are being removed from British shops and pharmacies due to fears of accidental overdose.
The British Medicine and Healthcare products regulatory agency yesterday ordered six products to be removed from sale for children under two. None of the products is available in Ireland.
It ordered that labelling on products containing antihistamines, decongestants, cough suppressants and expectorants be changed so that they are only recommended for older children.
Dr Joan Gilvarry, of the IMB, advised parents with children who have symptoms of a cough or cold to treat them with paracetamol or ibuprofen instead.
"These products can improve the child's symptoms and can be used in conjunction with cough syrups such as glycerol, honey or lemon as opposed to syrups containing active ingredients.
"Before any medicine is administered to a child, parents should read the patient information leaflet carefully and strictly administer the correct dosage," she said.
Pamela Logan, director of pharmacy services with the Irish Pharmacists Union, said overdoses can occur in young children when two products with the same active ingredient are given to them.
