New Delhi, Oct. 3 -- Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued an advisory on Friday on the rational use of cough syrups in paediatric population, warning against prescribing or dispensing the medicine to children under 2 years.

Cough syrups are also "generally not recommended" to children below 5 years of age, while the rest of the paediatric population should have "careful clinical evaluation with close supervision and strict adherence to appropriate dosing", also ensuring shortest effective duration and avoiding drug combinations.

"Cough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under 2 years. These are generally not recommended for ages below 5 years and above that, any use should follow caref...