Health dept issues new guidelines: Cough syrup not to be given to children below 2 yrs

Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 6: Following the recent deaths of several children in Madhya Pradesh reportedly after consuming cough syrup, the Karnataka health department has issued a new set of safety guidelines regarding the use of cough syrups for children.

According to the department’s advisory, cough syrup should not be given to children below two years of age under any circumstances. For children aged between 2 and 5 years, medication should only be administered under the advice of a qualified medical professional. Similarly, children above five years of age should also receive cough syrup only on a doctor’s prescription. The advisory further stresses that medicines must be used for the shortest duration and in the minimum effective dose, and that syrups cont