Said Dr Anita Bakshi, paediatric intensivist, Apollo Hospital: ``More than content of these medicines, it is the possibility of an overdose that is worrying. Many of the cough syrups have codeine which is an alkaloid found in opium and can be harmful for children.''

In fact, it has been proposed earlier that droppers, cups and syringes should be standardised for children to avoid any chances of an overdose.

Doctors also add that it is quite common for parents to give their children a combination of medicines which can prove to be hazardous for the child. For instance, antihistamines combined with cold medicines can lead to drying up of respiratory secretions and trigger acute cardio vascular and respiratory events. Similarly, expectorants and decongestants shouldn't be used in combination with antipyretics (used in medicines to reduce fever).

``I get a lot of cases where children develop complications after parents give them OTC drugs without consulting a doctor. There is a medicine known as phenylpropanolamine which has been banned in the US because it can precipitate acute vascular stroke and intracranial haemorrhage. Yet, many paediatric formulation available without prescriptions contain this,'' added Bagai.

The symptoms of overdose to OTC medicine include headache, vomiting, vertigo, restlessness, insomnia and breathing difficulty. In infants, neurological depression, dry mouth constipation, rash, altered blood counts and blurring of the vision are some serious symptoms.

Certain medicines, especially ephedrine (used in decongestants) and those used as drops cause hypertension in children. Prolonged use can lead to headaches, palpitations and visual defects. Antihistamines shouldn't be used by asthmatics either.

Drops are not much safer. In fact, drops are more concentrated than syrups and have more potential to cause harm. Similarly, various popular decongestive therapies which are applied on the skin and chest and often carry a strong odour can lead to serious broncho spasms.

An FDA report presented recently shows that from 1969 to 2006, at least 54 children died after taking decongestants and 69 died after taking antihistamines.