Search Here

Correction: A pervious version of the article incorrectly stated that 4 children had died from drinking Triaminic and Theraflu. The 4 children in question only opened the bottles and drank it but did not die. 

Some bottles of Triaminic and Theraflu products are being taken off the shelves after four children managed to open the child-resistant caps and drink the medicine. 

The manufacturer of these medicines, Novartis Consumer Health, were voluntarily recalling the Triaminic Syrups and Theraflu Warming Relief Syrups for cough, colds and fevers on Thursday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

According to multiple reports, 12 children were able to open up the locked bottles and four children actually ingested the product and one required medical attention.

Click here for a complete list of the recalled syrups. Novartis suspended production at the plant in Dec. 2011 after quality control problems surfaced, including the possible cross contamination of medications, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.

The packaging of these products has been an issue of concern in the past. A 2010 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that many of these products lacked a measuring device to administer the proper dose to kids, despite FDA recommendations urging such features.

The recalled syrups contain acetaminophen -- a fever reducer that can cause liver injury or liver failure if ingested in large amounts, said Henry Spiller, a toxicologist and director of the Central Ohio Poison Center. Some of the syrups also contain diphenhydramine, an antihistamine that can cause seizures or cardiac arrhythmias after an overdose.