Cough syrup alert in Karnataka: Health department issues strict guidelines for children below 5

Rising cases linked to unsafe syrup use prompt Karnataka’s Health Department to caution parents, no cough syrups for kids under two, and strict medical advice for others.

The Karnataka Health Department has raised an alarm over the rising misuse of cough syrups among children, issuing a new set of strict guidelines for parents and doctors. The advisory comes amid growing reports of adverse reactions and overmedication among toddlers and young children across the state.

According to the new directive, no cough or cold syrups should be administered to children below two years of age under any circumstances. For children aged between two and five, syrups can be given only after a proper medical check-up and with a qualified doctor’s prescription.

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For older children too, the department has advised that syrups be used strictly under medical supervision, for the shortest duration possible, and at the lowest effective dose. Importantly, syrups containing multiple drug combinations are discouraged due to their potential side effects.

Parents have been advised to adopt natural care methods instead, ensuring sufficient fluids, adequate rest, and nutritious food. The Health Department also warned against using leftover medicines or those recommended by others without a doctor’s prescription.

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Furthermore, parents have been asked to stay alert for signs like vomiting, sleepiness, or breathing difficulty, and to immediately seek medical help if such symptoms occur. Checking the expiry date before administering any medicine has also been made mandatory.

The department emphasized that ignoring symptoms like persistent cough, high fever, or loss of appetite could lead to serious complications, urging both parents and healthcare providers to act responsibly.

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