Parents: Avoid Cough and Cold Medicines for Toddlers

If you think it's safe to give cough and cold medicines to your toddler, think again. Hundreds of young children have suffered accidental overdoses from common over-the-counter medicines and a few have died.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), giving children too much cough and cold medicine can be dangerous. This is especially true for children younger than 2 years of age. Most cough and cold remedies contain at least three active ingredients, all of them powerful medicines. Babies are especially sensitive to their effects. Some active ingredients can cause heart rhythm or blood vessel problems that can lead to high blood pressure or stroke.

The risks
Well-meaning parents sometimes give an overdose of cough or cold medicine by using two medicines that contain the same active ingredient. They may also give larger or more frequent doses than recommended. Some parents ignore current warning labels that say not to use these medicines in children under age 2.

In August 2007, the FDA issued an advisory to parents about the risks of giving over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to children. The FDA is considering other actions, including a ban on the use of these products in children younger than 6 years.

Medication side effects are not limited to cough and cold medicines or to toddlers. Don't be lulled into thinking that medicines are harmless because they are sold in grocery stores and say "children's" on the label. Being grape- or cherry-flavored can make them seem more like candy, but they are strong drugs that can pose very real risks for your child if they are not used correctly.

What you can do to help protect your child from medication side effects:

• Never give any over-the-counter medicine to a child younger than age 2 unless your doctor tells you to.
• Talk to your doctor before you give your child any over-the-counter medicine. This is especially important if your child takes prescription medicine.
• Do not give a child any medicine that is labeled for adult use. Choose products meant for children (these often say "pediatric" on the label).
• Always read the "Drug Facts" on the label. Check the active ingredients and be sure you understand the warnings.
• Never give a child more than the recommended dose. Do not give the medicine more often than the label says.
• Do not use kitchen spoons to measure liquid medicines. Use the dropper or dosing spoon that came with the medicine, or buy one with the right measurements at your drugstore.
• Do not use a medicine if you aren't sure how to give it to your child or whether it is safe for children. Talk to a doctor or nurse first.

Children get lots of colds and it's natural for parents to want to help them feel better. Keep in mind that cold medicines won't cure a cold and there is no proof that they even relieve symptoms in children.

Instead of reaching for a medicine bottle, try other ways to keep your child comfortable. Use a cool-mist humidifier and offer extra fluids. Use saline nose drops (only one drop at a time and one side at a time for babies) or a bulb syringe to clear a stuffy nose. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.

Related Articles Colds and Flu Saline Nose Drops: The Perfect Solution for Your Child's Stuffy Nose Honey for Your Cough? A Sweet Solution

External Sources U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Public Health Advisory. Nonprescription cough and cold medicine use in children. Accessed August 15, 2007. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consumer Update. Use caution with cough and cold medicines for children. Accessed August 16, 2007.

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