Some Kids' Cough Syrups Recalled

Oct. 30, 2007 -- Wyeth Consumer Healthcare issued a voluntary recall today of several of its Robitussin products and Children's Dimetapp Cough & Cold Congestion product.

The recall only involves the following products for all U.S. retailers:

• Robitussin Cough DM
• Robitussin Cough & Cold CF
• Robitussin Cough & Congestion
• Robitussin Chest Congestion
• Robitussin Head & Chest Congestion PE
• Robitussin Cough Sugar Free DM
• Children’s Dimetapp Cold & Chest Congestion

In a news release, Wyeth says the recall has nothing to do with the medications themselves. Instead, it's about the dosage cup that comes with the products.

Wyeth will remove dosage cups that don't have a half-teaspoon mark, which is the recommended dose for children aged 2-6, and replace those products with a marked dosage cup. The replaced products will be labeled to indicate that the new dosage cup is included.

Meanwhile, Wyeth has this advice for parents and caregivers:

• Don't use the recalled medicines in children aged 2 to under 6.
• Consult a health care professional concerning the most appropriate way to treat cough and cold symptoms for children aged 2 to under 6.
• For more information, call Wyeth at (800) 762-4675 or visit the Robitussin or Dimetapp web sites.

An FDA advisory panel recently recommended that over-the-counter cold and cough medicines not be used in children who are 2 to 5 years old. The FDA is considering the panel's recommendations.