US regulators BAN under-12s from using strong cough syrups

  • Makers of pain medicines containing codeine and tramadol have been ordered by the FDA to make new labels banning under-12s from using their product
  • It is a fierce move against the painkiller industry amid the addiction epidemic
  • The move comes after months-long research showed side effects in children are far more frequent and dangerous than previously thought, including death
  • In 2013, the FDA warned against kids using codeine after tonsil removal surgery 

By

Mia De Graaf For Dailymail.com


Published:
15:45 EDT, 20 April 2017

|
Updated:
15:45 EDT, 20 April 2017

5

View
comments

US regulators have issued the strongest warning possible against treating children with cough syrup that contains opioid painkillers. 

Makers of pain medicines that contain codeine and tramadol will now have to change the labels to ban users from giving them to children under 12 years old. 

The new rules come after an investigation found a high risk of slowed breathing and death in young users.

Manufacturers will also have to urge limited use in older children and pregnant women.

The move comes amid a national push to control and investigate painkillers as America battles a burgeoning addiction epidemic.  

Makers of pain medicines containing codeine and tramadol have been ordered by the FDA to make new labels banning under-12s from using their product

Makers of pain medicines containing codeine and tramadol have been ordered by the FDA to make new labels banning under-12s from using their product

Makers of pain medicines containing codeine and tramadol have been ordered by the FDA to make new labels banning under-12s from using their product

It did not come without warning. 

In 2013, the agency warned against use of codeine and tramadol in children and adolescents to treat pain after surgery to remove tonsils.

Some of the products containing these drugs are only available by prescription, but some over-the-counter cough medicines contain codeine.

However, emerging research shows the risks are far higher than previously thought. 

  • Taking the Pill can trigger mood swings and make women…

    Happy HIV patients ‘less infectious’, study claims:…

And a study last month revealed US Poison Control Centers receive an average of 32 calls a day from pediatric exposure to the narcotics.

The study, conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Policy and the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, looked at figures from the National Poison Data System.

The centers receive phone calls through the Poison Help Line and record information about the product, route of exposure, individual exposed, exposure scenario and other data.

Researchers found that poison control centers received more than 188,000 calls to US Poison Control Centers for pediatric exposure to opioids from January 2000 through December 2015.

This averaged to 32 calls a day, or one every 45 minutes.

The medications leading to the most calls were hydrocodone, oxycodone, and codeine, all narcotic pain killers. 

  • Reinforcements: Vladimir Putin is sending troops and equipment to Russia's border with North Korea over fears the US is preparing to attack Kim Jong-un. Footage shows a train carrying Russian tanks to the border in the country's far south eastPutin sends troops to Russia’s border with North Korea…
  • A French police officer has been shot dead on the Champs Elysees in Paris (pictured) - just as presidential candidates took part in a TV debate nearbyDramatic video captures French police shooting dead ISIS…
  • Jurors were shown shocking CCTV footage of Wiltshire giving his younger partner the thumbs up as she got on to the London bus to carry out their awful planMoment drug addict father-of-25 gives his girlfriend, 23,…
  • Distressing images have emerged revealing the plight of children found on the brink of starvation in orphanages in Belarus. One of the youngsters is pictured being cared for by a paediatrician‘Their legs are toothpicks covered with skin’: Children…
  • Lynda Bellingham's son Robert Peluso was married in New York earlier this monthLynda Bellingham’s son BANS her third husband from his…
  • Retired Olympic high jumper Germaine Mason has died in a motorcycle crash in Kingston, JamaicaHeartbroken Usain Bolt ‘rushed to the scene’ of 4am…
  • TV personality Ms McCann has since deleted all traces of Collins from her Instagram page and social media accounts, fuelling speculation the couple have splitWoman is left blind in one eye after nightclub acid…
  • Arrested: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest of Tad Cummins on ThursdayFound! Amber Alert teacher, 50, arrested and his…
  • Kim Jong-un has threatened the US with a 'super-mighty preemptive strike' and warned America: 'Don't mess with us'‘Don’t mess with us’: Kim Jong-un threatens US with a…
  • Group pic: Sarah Palin was as the White House on Wednesday to visit President Donald Trump ( l to r: Sarah Palin, guest, guest, Willow Palin, Shemane Deziel, Ted Nugent, President Trump, guest, guest, Kid Rock, Audrey Berry)Make way for Mama Grizzly: Sarah Palin skips son Trig’s…
  • CCTV caught a horror crash on camera as a red Peugeot smashed into a car in Cleethorpes, LincolnshireShocking moment car ploughs into FOUR vehicles before the…
  • The Doyle family's dream turned to nightmare: Shanna, Brett, and their sons Cole and Simon, 8, were thrown into disarray when they were told Cole, 10 (far left) wouldn't be able to fly with themParents’ fury as their ten-year-old son is kicked off…
  • Goodbye: Ousted longtime Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly (above) had his name erased from his own show on Wednesday as his replacement host Dana Perino gave a brief goodbye to the 'undisputed king of Cable News.'Bill who? O’Reilly’s name ERASED from Fox News show as…
  • Department store chain Debenhams has revealed plans to put 10 stores under review and is closing 11 warehouses, including one of its major distribution centres employing 220 staff Department store chain Debenhams announces 10 shops are…
  • Final words: Three handwritten notes were discovered in the cell were Aaron Hernandez (above in December 2015) hanged himself, leading investigators to officially declare his death a suicideEXCLUSIVE: Aaron Hernandez had been planning his suicide…
  • Real Housewives of Cheshire star Dawn Ward's dreams of converting her £14.5million mansion into a wedding venue have been dashed after 200 neighbours fought against the plansReal Housewives of Cheshire star’s dreams of converting…
  • Last call: The voicemail left by WWE star Chyna (pictured with HHH in 1999) just days before her tragic overdose has emerged for the first time. In it, she talks about going to rehabEXCLUSIVE: Chyna’s tragic last voicemail revealed: WWE…
  • Nicola Sturgeon, pictured in Holyrood today, has insisted the SNP are the only party standing in the way of a Tory majority because it is 'pie in the sky' to think Labour can win aloneI’m the only one who can stop Theresa! Nicola Sturgeon…

Comments 5

Share what you think

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Close

Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.

Your comment will be credited to your MailOnline persona.

Close

Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual

We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.

The post will be credited to your MailOnline username. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.

You May Also Like

Healthy soda swaps that aren’t water

Canada approves prescription heroin

6 mistakes your ears want you to stop making