Cold Medicine

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Children under the age of 4 should not be given over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedies, according to new labeling being prepared by leading cold medicine manufacturers.

The manufacturers of medicines sold under brands such as Dimetapp, Pediacare, Robitussin, Triaminic and Little Colds have agreed to voluntarily change their labels to state “do not use” for children…

The makers of the Airborne dietary supplement have agreed to pay as much as $30 million to consumers to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its makers made false and unsubstantiated cold prevention claims.

“There is no credible evidence that Airborne products, taken as directed, will reduce the severity or duration of colds, or provide any tangible benefit for people who are exposed to germs in crowded places,” said Lydia Parnes, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection in a release.

In its complaint, the FTC cites Airborne advertisements in which speakers claimed the supplement cured their cold in an hour, was a “miracle cold buster,” and was created by a teacher who “was sick of catching colds in class.”

The supplement, which contains 17 herbs and nutrients, was widely sold by major retailers such as Wal-Mart, CVS, Walgreens and Costco; and was marketed on daytime television programming, and through magazines and celebrity endorsements.Continue Reading Cold Supplement Seller Agrees to $30 Million Settlement