Should a child under 2 years of age give phlegm syrup? Government released alert, know in detail

Recently, there were reports of death of children due to drinking phlegm syrup in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. After this incident, the state government investigated the syrup and the central government has issued an advisory. The government has said that cuff syrup should not be given to children under 2 years of age.

Health Ministry released advisory:
Director General of Health Services Dr. Sunita Sharma has issued advisory to states and union territories. According to the government, most of the coughs occurring in children are cured on their own. In such a situation, medicine is not required. Do not give phlegm syrup to children under 2 years of age when there is a cold. Do not give any medicine to children under 5 years of age. Whereas children above 5 years of age should be given under the supervision of syrup doctor. They should not be given much dosage.

Give the medicine to the children in the right amount and for the least days. Do not give children many medicines simultaneously. Try to fix the cough of children with the help of other measures, such as giving Sipper to children. Relax to cure cough and take help of home remedies. Like taking steam, drinking hot water.

All government and private hospitals should only provide medicines of good quality companies. Doctors and pharmacists should be made aware of the rules for appropriate advice and medicines. All these instructions should be followed from the center to the district level.

What was added to the cuff syrup?
What was added to the cuff syrup is under investigation. No information about any dangerous chemicals has been revealed yet. Significantly, chemical compounds are used in phlegm syrup. Cuff syrup contains dextromethorphon hydrobromide in the form of active compound preventing cough, which is prepared through chemical processing. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should not be given high doses of dextromethorphon hydrobromide. This can cause problems like shortness of breath, sleep, dizziness etc.