Opioid Cough and Cold Medicines No Longer Indicated for Children, Says FDA

​The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it is requiring labeling changes to restrict the use of prescription opioid cough and cold medicines that contain codeine or hydrocodone to only patients age 18 years or older, according to a January 11, 2018, FDA news release. The products will no longer be indicated to treat cough in any pediatric patient because the risks of using prescription opioid cough products in children of all ages generally outweigh the potential benefits.