Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

Guidance Document: Nonprescription Oral Paediatric Cough and Cold Labelling Standard

(PDF Version - 321 K)

Contact: Bureau of Gastrenterology, Infection and Viral Diseases Enquiries

February 6, 2009

Notice

Our file number: 09-103286-500

Release of the Final Guidance Document: Nonprescription Oral Paediatric Cough and Cold Labelling Standard.

The final version of this Health Canada Guidance Document - Nonprescription Oral Paediatric Cough and Cold Labelling Standard is now available. Comments and suggestions received from the consultation on the draft version of the guidance were reviewed and considered in the finalization of this document.

This Labelling Standard reflects Health Canada's decision as described in the December 18, 2008 Notice: To Market Authorization Holders: Health Canada's Decision on Labelling of Certain Paediatric (0 to under 12 years) Nonprescription Cough and Cold Products in Canada regarding: (1) Enhanced labelling, including a prohibition to not use for children under 6 years; (2) Child resistant packaging; and (3) Inclusion of dosing devices for all liquid formulations for products that have labelling for use in children aged 6 to under 12 years. The Labelling Standard also finalizes additional aspects that were published for comment, such as the permitted ingredients, doses, indications for use, font size, directions for use and ingredient-specific warning statements that will be required to appear on the product labels.

As with any Guidance Document or Labelling Standard, alternate approaches to the requirements, as described in these documents, may be acceptable provided they are supported by adequate justification and data. In these cases, an application outside of the Labelling Standard may be submitted.

Should you have any questions or comments regarding the content of the guidance, please contact:

Bureau of Gastroenterology, Infection and Viral Diseases
Therapeutic Products Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
101 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Address Locator 0202D1
Ottawa Ontario
K1A 0K9

Telephone: 613-941-2566
Facsimile: 613 941-1183
E-Mail: BGIVD_Enquiries@hc-sc.gc.ca

Date Adopted: 2009/01/30
Effective Date: 2009/02/05

Foreword

Guidance documents are meant to provide assistance to industry and health care professionals on how to comply with governing statutes and regulations. Guidance documents also provide assistance to staff on how Health Canada mandates and objectives should be implemented in a manner that is fair, consistent and effective.

Guidance documents are administrative instruments not having force of law and, as such, allow for flexibility in approach.  Alternate approaches to the principles and practices described in this document may be acceptable provided they are supported by adequate justification.  Alternate approaches should be discussed in advance with the relevant program area to avoid the possible finding that applicable statutory or regulatory requirements have not been met.

As a corollary to the above, it is equally important to note that Health Canada reserves the right to request information or material, or define conditions not specifically described in this document, in order to allow the Department to adequately assess the safety, efficacy or quality of a therapeutic product.  Health Canada is committed to ensuring that such requests are justifiable and that decisions are clearly documented.

This document should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notice and the relevant sections of other applicable guidance documents.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

This Labelling Standard describes the requirements necessary to receive marketing authorization (a Drug Identification Number (DIN)) for single and multiple-ingredient orally administered nonprescription paediatric products for use in children 6 to under 12 years of age to provide relief of symptoms associated with the common cold. This Standard does not apply to products solely for use by adults (over 12 years of age). These products should not be used in children under 6 years of age.

2. Medicinal Ingredients

The medicinal ingredients of a product complying with this Standard consist of the following ingredients when used singly or in acceptable combinations within the established limits specified in Table 2.

Table 1: Drug medicinal ingredients
Therapeutic Class Medicinal Ingredient
Preferred Name
Antihistamine Brompheniramine maleate
Chlorpheniramine maleate
Dexbrompheniramine maleate
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
Doxylamine succinate
Pheniramine maleate
Triprolidine hydrochloride
Antitussive Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
Dextromethorphan
Dextromethorphan hydrobromide
Decongestant Phenylephrine hydrochloride and sulphate
Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and sulphate1
Expectorant Guaifenesin (glyceryl guaiacolate)

3. Pharmaceutical Forms

The acceptable dosage forms are as follows:

  • Immediate release solid oral dosage forms such as tablets, caplets, chewable tablets, effervescent tablets, powders.
  • Oral liquid formulations such as suspension, syrup, elixir, tincture or drops.
  • Single ingredient thin strips.

Unacceptable dosage forms are as follows:

  • Modified dose release (e.g. liquid extended release, solid oral sustained release, bi-layer formulations or enteric coated products).
  • Products that require evaluation of animal sourced ingredients (e.g. animal tissue based gelatin capsules).
  • Novel dosage forms: e.g., multiple ingredient thin strips, lollipops, popsicles/freezer pops.

4. Indications

4.1 Acceptable Indications

For all products:

  • to temporarily relieve the symptoms of the common cold.

For products containing an antihistamine:

  • temporary symptomatic relief of sneezing and /or runny nose (sniffles) due to common colds.

For products containing an antitussive:

  • temporary relief of dry cough due to common colds.

For products containing a decongestant:

  • temporary relief of nasal congestion/pressure due to common colds.
  • temporary relief of stuffiness due to common colds.

For products containing an expectorant:

  • relief of wet cough due to common colds.
  • helps loosen phlegm (mucous).
  • for the relief of chest congestion.

4.2 Unacceptable Indications

  • relief of nasal symptoms other than runny nose and sneezing (for antihistamine)
  • alleviate nasal congestion (for antihistamine)
  • treat lower respiratory tract conditions (including infections and asthma)
  • bronchitis
  • sinusitis
  • relief of sinus pressure/congestion (for decongestant)
  • promote sinus drainage
  • coughs due to allergies or inhaled irritants (for antitussives and expectorants)
  • chest coughs (for antitussives and expectorants)
  • influenza/flu
  • allergy/hay fever symptoms
  • relief of wet cough (for antitussives)
  • relief of dry cough (for expectorant)
  • sleep aid (e.g., relieves sneezing, runny nose and helps you get to sleep)

5. Dosage Directions

5.1 Dosage For Children 6 to under 12 years

Table 2: Dosage For Children 6 to Under 12 Years
Therapeutic Class Medicinal ingredient
preferred name 		Recommended Single Dose3 Dose Interval Maximum Daily Dose
Antihistamine Brompheniramine Maleate 2mg every 4-6 hours 12mg
Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2mg every 4-6 hours 12mg
Dexbrompheniramine Maleate 1mg every 4-6 hours 6mg
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride 12.5-25 mg every 4-6 hours 100mg
Doxylamine succinate 3.75-6.25 mg every 4-6 hours 37.5mg
Pheniramine maleate 6.25-12.5 mg every 4-6 hours 75mg
Triprolidine hydrochloride 1.25mg every 4-6 hours 5mg
Antitussive Diphenhydramine hydrochloride 12.5 mg every 4 hours 75mg
Dextromethorphan OR
Dextromethorphan hydrobromide		 5-10 mg every 4 hours 60mg
15 mg every 6-8 hours
Decongestant Phenylephrine hydrochloride and sulphate4 5mg every 4 hours 30mg
Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and sulphate4 30mg every 4-6 hours 120mg
Expectorant Guaifenesin (glyceryl guaiacolate) 100mg every 6 hours 400mg

5.2 Dosing Considerations

  1. The quantitative declaration of the medicinal ingredients on any panel of the inner and outer labels should be prominently displayed and should be further identified by the therapeutic class, e.g.: "Active Ingredient: Guaifenesin (expectorant) 100mg". Alternate wording for therapeutic class may be acceptable provided they are listed under Section 4.1 of this Labelling Standard.
  2. The labels should declare the recommended single and maximum daily dose, as well as the dosing interval for the product. Maximum daily dose may be expressed in terms of dosage units (e.g. do not exceed X tablets per day).
  3. For liquid formulations, the following statement should be included with the directions for use: "Use only the measuring device provided."

5.3 Combinations

Acceptable Combinations:

Table 3: Acceptable Combinations5 ,6
Therapeutic Class Antihistamine7 Antitussive7 Decongestant Antitussive7 and Decongestant Expectorant
Antihistamine7   X8 X X8  
Antitussive7 X8   X    
Decongestant X X     X
Antitussive7 and Decongestant X8        
Expectorant     X    

Unacceptable Combinations:

  • Any antihistamine active ingredient in combination with the oral expectorant active ingredient.
  • A combination of diphenhydramine antitussive with another antihistamine or a combination of diphenhydramine antitussive with another antitussive.
  • Any antitussive active ingredient in combination with the oral expectorant active ingredient.
  • Combinations with:
    • two or more ingredients from the same therapeutic class.
    • ingredients from different therapeutic classes if any ingredient is present at less than the minimum effective dose; OR
    • an ingredient specifically intended to counteract a side effect of another ingredient in the product.

6. Warnings

6.1 For outer and inner labels of all products

  • Keep out of reach of children.
  • Read the complete label [and package insert if applicable] prior to use and follow all label instructions.
  • Do not use this cough and cold product in children under 6 years of age.
  • Do not exceed the single and maximum daily dose. Do not use for longer than 7 days. Overdose may result in serious harm.
  • DO NOT give with any other cough and cold medications since harm may occur, unless recommended by a healthcare practitioner.
  • Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to combining with other medications, including natural health products, prescription drugs or nonprescription drugs.

All of the following warnings may appear on an insert or other panels if it can be demonstrated that space is limited on the packaging. Note that the packaging must carry clear instructions to access the insert or other panels:

  • Consult a healthcare practitioner if symptoms worsen, last for more than a week or are accompanied by a high fever (>38°C) or the production of thick yellow/green phlegm.
  • Do not use if the child is allergic to any of the ingredients.
  • Discontinue use if allergic reactions such as wheezing, rash or itching develop.
  • Side effects may include: allergic reaction, breathing difficulties, convulsions, drowsiness, hallucinations, and rapid heart rate.
  • Talk to your healthcare practitioner about the proper use of this product and for information about the ingredients; and
  • In Case of Overdose: Call a Poison Control Centre or doctor immediately, even if you do not notice any signs or symptoms.

6.2 For products containing an antihistamine

  • May cause drowsiness or excitability.
  • Do not use when child is engaged in activities requiring mental alertness.
  • Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if the child has:
    • chronic lung disease.
    • difficulty in urination.
    • glaucoma.
  • For products containing diphenhydramine:
    • do not use with a topically applied product that also contains diphenhydramine.

6.3 For products containing an antitussive

  • Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if the child has asthma or other chronic lung conditions.
  • For Product containing dextromethorphan:
    • Do not use with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI drug.
  • For products containing diphenhydramine:
    • the warning statements appropriate for oral antihistamine should also appear (see section 6.2).

6.4 For products containing a decongestant

  • Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if the child has:
    • heart or thyroid disease.
    • high blood pressure.
    • diabetes.
    • glaucoma.

7. Other Labelling Requirements

For all products:

1. All products intended for use in children 6 to under 12 years of age should be in child resistant containers that comply with sections C.01.001 (2), (3) and (4) of the Food and Drug Regulations.

2. Legibility:

Although no specific type size is mentioned in the Regulations, Section A.01.016 specifies that all information required to appear on a label must be:

  1. Clearly and prominently displayed, and
  2. Readily discernible to the purchaser or consumer under the customary conditions of purchase and use.

A person with normal vision, or those with corrective glasses that restore normal vision, should be able to read the information without straining. The colour, contrast, the position, and the spacing of the information are all to be taken into consideration in complying with these requirements. A type size of 10 point for text and 9 point minimum for tables are recommended for any cough and cold product package inserts, in keeping with section 2.2 of Health Canada's Guidance to Industry: Product Monograph. It is recommended that cough and cold product labels have a minimum of font size 9.

8. Specifications

This Labelling Standard describes those requirements that are specific to this class of drugs.

Products must comply with the requirements in the Food and Drugs Act and associated Regulations. It is also noted that all products are subject to Part C, Division 2 of the Food and Drug Regulations.

All ingredient (medicinal and non-medicinal) and finished product specifications must meet or exceed the Standards described in the publications referred to in Schedule B to the Food and Drugs Act, or equivalent Standards. Where no Schedule B monograph exists for the dosage form, specifications should be similar to those of a comparable compendial dosage form. In the absence of a Schedule B Standard for any dosage form, testing must be adequate to demonstrate the product's identity, potency, purity and quality.

Finished product specifications should include tests for identification and an assay with suitable limits for the medicinal ingredient(s). The specifications for all dosage forms should include a description of the dosage form, including organoleptic properties as well as physico-chemical testing e.g., pH, specific gravity, viscosity, appropriate to the dosage form. Where antimicrobial preservatives are added, an assay with suitable limits should be included. Antimicrobial preservative effectiveness should be determined in order to establish that the product is capable of resisting microbial contamination.

Any change to the manufacturing process that impacts the safety and efficacy of the ingredients, such as the use of novel technology (e.g. nanotechnology), requires supporting data and will be reviewed outside the Labelling Standard.

9. Non-medicinal Ingredients

Non-medicinal ingredients must be restricted to those substances, necessary for the formulation of the dosage form. Their concentration must not exceed the minimum required to provide their intended effect. They must be harmless in the amounts used, their presence must not affect the therapeutic efficacy or safety of the medicinal ingredients and they must not interfere with assays and tests for the medicinal ingredients and, if present, antimicrobial preservatives. Sponsors should be aware that ingredients of botanical origin added as non-medicinal ingredients must comply with the Health Canada Policy, Herbs Used as Non-Medicinal Ingredients in Nonprescription Drugs for Human Use (1995).

10. Special Notes

Sponsors are requested to take note of the following combinations of cough and cold products since additional data could be required in support of the appropriate use of such a proposed product. Health Canada could also recommend that an application outside of the Standard be submitted. When applicable, a review outside of the Standard would be appropriate as noted below. Please note that if the conditions of Section C.08.001 of the Food and Drug Regulations are met, a New Drug Submission will be required.

  • Combinations of cough and cold products that include an analgesic. The Nonprescription Drugs Analgesics Labelling Standard should be consulted since it provides relevant information related to the use of analgesics, which could be applicable for these combinations.
  • Combinations that contain codeine, codeine phosphate and codeine sulphate. Codeine should not be administered to children except on the advice of a health care professional. Section 36 of the Narcotic Control Regulations should be consulted for the conditions of acceptability of codeine in nonprescription medications. Should a sponsor have sufficient supporting data for the appropriate use of such a proposed product, an application outside of the Standard may be submitted.
  • Combinations with an active ingredient regulated as a natural health product other than pseudoephedrine (e.g., vitamins, echinacea, menthol, camphor, caffeine, eucalyptus). Should a sponsor have sufficient supporting data for the appropriate use of such a proposed product, an application outside of the Standard may be submitted.
  • Combinations with a dosage form indentified as unacceptable for submission under this Labelling Standard as per Section 3 (e.g. modified dose release, products that require evaluation of animal sourced ingredients, and, novel dosage forms). Should a sponsor have sufficient supporting data for the appropriate use of such a proposed product, an application outside of the Standard may be submitted.
  • Chemical interactions between phenylephrine and maleate under common storage conditions may occur (Marín, et al. 2005; Wong, et al. 2006), resulting in an impurity whose identity has been elucidated (Wong, et al. 2006). For combination products containing the ingredients phenylephrine and brompheniramine/ chlorpheniramine/ dexbrompheniramine/ pheniramine maleate, sponsors should add an additional test(s) in their specifications to identify this impurity and provide a summary of a risk management plan for any drug product batches potentially identified as exceeding the threshold limits for this impurity. Sponsors should refer to the recommended limits for impurities outlined in Draft Guidance for Industry - Impurities in Existing Drug Substances and Products (dated 2005/09/06).

11. References

  1. First report of the expert advisory committee on nonprescription cough and cold remedies. Heath and Welfare Canada, August 1988.
  2. Second report of the expert advisory committee on nonprescription cough and cold remedies. Heath and Welfare Canada, April 1989.
  3. Third report of the expert advisory committee on nonprescription cough and cold remedies. Heath and Welfare Canada, September 1989.
  4. Guidance for Industry - Impurities in Existing Drug Substances and Products. Health Canada, September 2005.
  5. Guidance to Industry: Product Monograph. Health Canada, October, 2004.
  6. Herbs Used as Non-Medicinal Ingredients in Nonprescription Drugs for Human Use. Health Canada, September 1995.
  7. Marín A, Espada A, Vidal P., Barbas C.A major degradation product identified in several pharmaceutical formulations against the common cold. Analytical Chemistry 2005: 77(2):, 471-477
  8. Scientific Advisory Panel On Nonprescription Paediatric Cough & Cold Medication (SAP-NPCCM). Health Canada, March 2008.
  9. Wong J, Wiseman L, Al-Mamoon S, Cooper T, Zhang L-K, Chan T-M. A major degradation product identified in several pharmaceutical formulations against the common cold. Analytical Chemistry 2006: 78(22): 7891-7895.

Page details

Date modified: