The Perrigo Company has recalled several batches of two flavors of generic cough syrup meant for children due to the risk of overdose. The risk has risen due the fact that these batches have measuring cups which have wrong markings. This increases the threat of children being accidentally given extra dose. The recall announcement was made by the company in a press release on Monday.

Parents are being suggested to confirm that they don’t have the medicine belonging to these batches and if they have it, they must immediately discard it. The recall includes two batches of children's guaifenesin grape liquid and three batches of guaifenesin DM cherry liquid. Both the syrups are sold in 4 oz. bottles. These syrups are sold under the name of various brands Sunmark, Rite-Aid, Topcare, Kroger, GoodSense, Dollar General, Care One, CVS and H.E.B. The overdose can result in problems for children with poor metabolism system for dextromethorphan, which is an active ingredient of the syrup.

The voluntary recall is known by the US Food and Drug Administration, which has also urged the discarding of dosing device and product. Till now, no incidents of overdose have been reported. However, the company has revealed certain side effects of overdose. The side effects are hyperexcitability, changes in muscle reflexes, hallucinations and coma, as well as rapid eye movements, dystonia, coma, ataxia and stupor. Additional side effects include seizures, nausea, tachycardia, along with respiratory depression, irregular heartbeat and vomiting. The worst case scenario is that the overdose can also result in death.

“Perrigo is taking this action to maintain the highest possible product quality standards for our retail customers and consumers. We are taking this action because it is the right thing to do", said Joseph Papa, Chairman and CEO of Perrigo. The medicines were first removed by Giant and Stop & Shop outlets.