The medicines, marketed at children under two, are being removed from open sale amid fears youngsters might suffer accidental overdoses. Meanwhile, labelling on dozens of other cough and cold remedies is being changed on new advice from drug-safety watchdogs.

But the Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB), which represents the makers of the medicines, stressed that they were not being banned for use by older children and were safe when used as directed.

Sheila Kelly, the PAGB's executive director, said the action was taken after advice from the Commission on Human Medicines to remove the doses for children under two from the labels of many cold and cough remedies.

Labelling on products containing antihistamines, decongestants, cough suppressants and expectorants will now be changed over six months so that they are only recommended for children aged over two.

Parents are now being advised to give children aged under 24 months paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower their temperature if they have a cold. Simple cough syrups containing glycerol, honey and lemon can also be given, as well as vapour rubs and inhalant decongestants.

The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said the affected products would be kept behind pharmacy counters and that anyone who asked to buy them would be questioned about the age of the sick child. If older than two, the product can be sold and an advice leaflet will be provided.