The Government of Canada is committed to better informing Canadians about the risks of health products that contain opioids. Following a safety review of cough and cold products containing opioids, Health Canada is advising that Canadian children and adolescents (under 18 years of age) should not use cough and cold products containing codeine, hydrocodone and normethadone, as a precautionary measure.

Health Canada's safety review found that there is limited evidence to support the effectiveness of these products in children and adolescents (under 18 years of age). In addition, while the review did not find any strong evidence linking cough and cold products that contain opioids with opioid use disorders in children and adolescents, it did find that the early use of opioids may be a factor in problematic substance use later in life. Given the lack of strong data on effectiveness and the potential for longer-term risks, the Department is taking action to advise Canadians about the risks of these products.