Some research has been conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, the Committee is now only recommend the use of these free drugs to children aged over six years. This decision was based on the results of their research, about 54 children 6 years of age death caused by the use of cough syrups that contain decongestants. In the medicine there is a certain composition that could endanger the health of babies and can cause death, according to research dr. Adam Cohen, who worked at the U.S. CDC, the Epidemic intelligence Service. The drugs are sold freely, for coughs, colds and fever usually contain pseudoephedrin (lozenges respiratory) was pulled out from the market and circulation, because the dose of drug used is not as recommended and can be fatal to infants under the age of 2 years. several other committees in the U.S. also has pulled the drug off the market. Like the Combat Metamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2006 and then pulled free medicines containing pseudoephedrin. FDA pulled out the use of Pseudoephedrin in cough and cold medicines in the market because the risk of overdose that might caused.
Some well-known pharmaceutical companies has also been suggested not to use cold cough medicines which sold freely, it is better to use of the drug has been prescribed by a physician, due to containing substances that are more secure consumed by children, namely Phenylephrine.
In January 2006, has been studied by the CDC in 2005 due to death three babies under the age of six months after taking cough and fever medicine, and the result showed in the years 2004-2005 there were more than 1500 children under 2 years death in hospital after consuming drugs without a prescription. In the three infant, contained high levels of pseudoephedrin in their blood.
Pseudoephedrin are sympathomimetic agents that directly and indirectly, working on alpha and beta receptors, this drug works on the nervous system and increase the risk of stroke. In infants under 2 years of age, the metabolism of the substance pseudoephedrine has not yet good due to some metabolic organ is still in development stages. Thus, by the administration of drugs can improve the high levels in the blood that can cause various side effects such as, anxiety, shaking, skin allergies, frequent crying, and vomiting.