While many over-the-counter-products are available, parents often wonder which treatment will work best (and is the safest) to quiet their child’s cough. Here’s what parents need to know about choosing the right cough medicine for their kids.
Cold and Cough Syrup Warnings
Warnings on cold and cough syrups typically state that the products should not be given to children under the age of four. Parents should not give give small children or infants pediatric cold and cough medicine that is designed for older children.
Cough Syrups
Medicines that help quiet coughs (antitussive medicines) usually include one or more of the following ingredients:
Benadryl (an antihistamine)Dextromethorphan (the ‘DM’ in cough syrups)Codeine or hydrocodone (narcotic cough suppressants)
Multi-symptom cold and cough syrups may contain a decongestant, expectorant, or pain and fever reducer. Some cough syrups may also contain alcohol. Over-the-counter cough medicines and cough syrups include:
Robitussin DMDelsymChildren’s Triaminic PediaCare Long-Acting Cough
Does Cough Syrup Work?
One of the major factors in the debate over the use of cold and cough syrups in children is the evidence—or, more specifically, the lack of evidence—that they work. While many parents and pediatricians would say that cold and cough syrups are effective when a child is coughing, these reports are anecdotal evidence and not based on scientific research. As for the evidence that cough medicine doesn’t work, one large review of studies published by Cochrane Reviews in 2014 concluded that “There is no good evidence for or against the effectiveness of OTC medicines in acute cough. This should be taken into account when considering prescribing antihistamines and centrally active antitussive agents in children; drugs that are known to have the potential to cause serious harm.” One reason for the debate is that there are many conditions cause kids to cough, including croup (which is often characterized as difficult to control) bronchitis, asthma, allergies, or the common cold. More research is needed to determine whether these products are, indeed, effective at treating coughing in kids under certain circumstances. Additional studies would also boost efforts to make cough and cold medicines safer for children in general.
Alternatives
Even with the uncertainty and the warnings, many parents continue to use cold and cough syrups. If you would prefer to try other treatments for your child’s cough, there are some alternatives you can explore. Popular alternative remedies for coughing include:
Cool air humidifier Drinking extra fluids Rest and decreased activity, especially avoiding physical activity that may make a cough worse Saline nasal drops, with bulb suctioning for newborns and infants Cough drops for children over age 4 or 5 for which they aren’t a choking hazard
Abuse
Drug abuse in goes far beyond “traditional” drugs, such as marijuana, alcohol, ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin. A common drug of abuse in teens and young adults is dextromethorphan (also called DXM), which is found in cough syrups. A combination of cold medicine like Coricidin HBP Cough and Cold (“Triple C”) can also be abused. In addition to dextromethorphan, Coricidin HBP Cough and Cold contains an antihistamine. Large doses can cause hallucinations and other serious side effects. There have even been reports of deaths from kids abusing DXM and Coricidin.
