Under-16s advised not to take aspirin
The UK Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) has extended its recommendations restricting the use of aspirin and aspirin-containing products to include 12-15 year olds in the light of a possible link with Reye's syndrome. Only two cases have been reported in the UK in the last two to three years.
A causal link has not been proven, but some studies have shown that ingestion of aspirin by children during and after a viral illness has been associated in the development of the condition. However, a high percentage of Reye's cases reported occurred without aspirin usage.
In the US, it is recommended that aspirin should not be given to children under 19 years during episodes of fever-causing illnesses.
There are 140 analgesics on sale in the UK that contain aspirin, manufactured by 50 companies. Since advice was issued in 1986 not to give aspirin to under-12s, the incidence of the condition has decreased.