Cough and cold medicines aren't recommended for children. A Mayo Clinic specialist explains why.
Jay Hoecker, M.D.
The common cold is a nuisance, but over-the-counter cough and cold medicines can help your child feel better — right? Think again. Cough and cold medicines aren't recommended for children younger than age 2, and the jury is still out on whether cough and cold medicines are appropriate for older kids. So what's the best way to treat a child's cold? Here's practical advice from Jay Hoecker, M.D., a pediatrics specialist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
What's the concern about cough and cold medicines for kids?
Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines won't cure a common cold or make it go away any sooner. In fact, cough and cold medicines haven't been proved effective for children. And there are serious risks to consider. For example, the sedating effects of antihistamines can be dangerous for kids already having trouble breathing. For young children, an accidental overdose of cough or cold medicine could be fatal.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encourages parents to avoid cough and cold medicines for children younger than age 2.
Are cough and cold medicines a problem for children older than age 2?
Older children aren't as likely as younger children to experience side effects from cough and cold medicines, but side effects are still possible. Some cough and cold medicines may make kids sleepy, while others may have the opposite effect. Even then, remember that cough and cold medicines can't make a cold go away any sooner.
Experts from the FDA are studying the safety and effectiveness of cough and cold medicines for children older than age 2. In the meantime, if you choose to give cough or cold medicines to an older child, carefully follow the label directions.
Can any medications help treat the common cold?
An over-the-counter pain reliever — such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, others) — can reduce a fever and ease the pain of a sore throat or headache. Remember, however, low-grade fevers don't need treatment. If you give your child a pain reliever, follow the dosing guidelines carefully.
Don't give ibuprofen to a child younger than age 6 months, and don't give aspirin to anyone age 18 or younger. Aspirin has been associated with Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal illness.
Also treat herbal or alternative remedies for the common cold with a dose of caution. Few studies have been done on the effect these products may have on children. If you want to give your child an herbal or alternative remedy, consult your child's doctor first.
When should I call the doctor?
Most colds simply need to run their course. It's important to take your child's signs and symptoms seriously, however. If you have a baby who's younger than age 3 months, call the doctor at the first sign of illness. For newborns, a common cold can quickly develop into croup, pneumonia or another serious illness.
Otherwise, call the doctor if your child:
- Isn't urinating as often as usual
- Has a temperature higher than 103 F (39.4 C) for one day
- Has a temperature higher than 100 F (37.8 C) for more than three days
- Seems to have ear or sinus pain
- Has yellow eye discharge
- Has a cough for longer than one week
- Has thick, green nasal discharge for longer than two weeks
Seek medical help immediately if your child:
- Refuses to accept fluids
- Coughs hard enough to cause vomiting or changes in skin color
- Coughs up blood-tinged sputum
- Has difficulty breathing or is bluish around the lips and mouth
Last Updated: 01/19/2008
