Home > Children & Cough Medicine Nonprescription Cough and Cold Medicine Use In Children
Important Information For Parents And Grandparents
On October 11, 2007 the Consumer Healthcare Products Association announced that several manufacturers were voluntarily recalling their infant cold products from the market, in anticipation of what they expected the FDA would recommend after the October meeting. At a time of year when colds and coughs are prevalent, what does this mean for parents?
Most reports of serious adverse events associated with the use of these products appear to be the result of giving these medicines incorrectly to children. According to Dr. James Mowry, Director of the Indiana Poison Center, "An over-the-counter cough and cold medicine can be harmful if more than the recommended amount is used, if it is given too often, or if more than one cough and cold medicine containing the same active ingredient are being used. To avoid giving a child too much medicine, it is essential that parents carefully read and follow the directions for use of all products."
What should parents know about using cough and cold products in children?
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Do not give cough and cold products to children under 2 years of age unless you are told to do so by a healthcare provider.
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Don't give children medicine that is packaged and made for adults. Use only products marked specifically for use in babies, infants or children (sometimes called "pediatric" use).
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Cough and cold medicines come in many different strengths. If you are unsure about the right product for your child, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
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If a child is already taking prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medication, always check with your pharmacist or the child's healthcare provider before adding any new medication to avoid interactions.
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Read all of the information on the package so that you know the active ingredients and the warnings. This will help you to avoid giving multiple products containing the same ingredient. Be especially cautious with products containing acetaminophen or Tylenol(R). Repeated double-dosing with these products can be fatal.
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Follow all directions exactly. Do not give a child medicine more often or in greater amounts than stated on the package - more does not always mean better. Check with your pharmacist or health care provider if you think the prescribed dose is not working.
Too much medicine may lead to serious and life-threatening side effects, particularly in children aged 2 years and younger.
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For liquid products, always use the measuring device (dropper, dosing cup or dosing spoon) that is packaged with each medicine and is marked to deliver the recommended dose. A kitchen teaspoon or tablespoon should never be used to measure medicine for children.
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If a measuring device is not included with the product, buy one at a pharmacy. Make sure that the dropper, dosing cup or dosing spoon has markings on it that match the dosing listed in the directions on the package label, or is recommended by the child's health care provider. If you don't understand the instructions on the product, or how to use the dosing device (dropper, dosing cup or dosing spoon), consult a pharmacist before using the product - always talk to your pharmacist or health care provider if you have questions or are confused about the correct way to give medicine to your child.
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Cough and cold medicines only treat the symptoms of the common cold such as runny nose, congestion, fever, aches, and irritability. Such products don't cure the common cold and children get better with time.
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If a child's condition worsens or does not improve, stop using the product and immediately take the child to a health care provider for evaluation.
Taking these simple precautions can help ensure that your child takes medication safely and unintentional poisoning is avoided.
Source: Indiana Poison Center, 2007
