Cold cures 'no use for children'
Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines do not work on children under 12 and can even cause side effects such as hallucinations, according to a government agency.A review of popular remedies including Lemsip, Day Nurse and Sudafed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency found "no robust evidence" that they are effective for children.The MHRA added that the possible side effects, although not dangerous, could include sleep disturbance, allergic reactions and hallucinations.With no evidence of efficacy, the executive agency of the Department of Health has decided that many of these medicines can no longer be sold for use by children under six.New advice will now be published on packets for dosage of children aged between six and 12, and more research is being done to see what benefits, if any, the medicines have.Pharmacists will be issued with new advice for parents about which medicines can be used safely.But parents should...
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