Govt cracks down on use of common cold, allergy drug

Decision comes after an extensive review, identifying potential risks to young children

- Priyanka Sharma

The central government has mandated strict labelling requirements for manufacture, sale and distribution of the fixed-dose combination of chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride, prohibiting its use for children under four years of age.

The combination medicine is used to ease symptoms of common cold and allergies, and may cause dizziness and dryness of the mouth, among other side effects.