From the Associated Press on October 19, 2007:
"WASHINGTON - Cold and cough medicines don't work in children and shouldn't be used in those younger than 6, federal health advisers recommended Friday.
The over-the-counter medicines should be studied further, even after decades in which children have received billions of doses a year, the outside experts told the Food and Drug Administration." Read more.
Previously, the FDA warned consumers that children's cough and cold medicines should not ever be given to children under 2, and later issued an advisory about children taking medicines packaged for adults.
Although prevention is best, healthy alternatives to drug-based medicines for cold and cough can be found at health food stores, such as the Vitamin Shoppe.