Thiruvananthapuram: Experts have warned that adults should not rely on cough syrup for minor coughs or phlegm, as repeated use can raise blood sugar levels and lead to dependence. The Academy of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine said ordinary coughs can often be managed through steam inhalation and rest.

The academy also cautioned against multi-ingredient syrup mixtures, advising that children avoid them entirely. Doctors have been urged not to prescribe cough syrups or cold medicines to children under 2 years, except in emergencies. “If syrups are prescribed, the patient’s physical condition should be carefully assessed, and medicines should be recommended based on evidence and symptoms,” said Academy President Dr B Jayaprakash and Secretary Dr Jude J Vachapparambil.

Meanwhile, Kerala has banned all medicines manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, following the cancellation of the company’s licence by the Tamil Nadu Drugs Controller. The move comes after children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan died after consuming Coldriff cough medicine produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals. The state drugs controller has also immediately stopped the distribution and sale of the drug TR (60 ml syrup, batch no. R01GL 2523) in Kerala.

Separately, production at two drug companies in Gujarat has been suspended: Shape Pharma in Surendranagar and Rednex Pharmaceuticals in Ahmedabad.

A public interest litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a CBI probe into the deaths linked to the cough medicine. On Tuesday, another two-year-old girl undergoing treatment in a Madhya Pradesh hospital died, bringing the state’s death toll to 19.