Cough and Cold Remedies for Children Under Two
The FDA has announced that the Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee will discuss the safety and effectiveness of cough and cold medication use in children. Questions have been raised about the safety of these products and whether the benefits justify any potential risks from the use of these products in children, especially in children under 2 years of age.
With cough and cold medicines for children under 2 being questioned, what are parents of sick infants and toddlers to do? Here are some recommendations from Amy Guiot, M.D., a pediatrician at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center:
- Cool mist humidifier: A cool mist humidifier makes nasal passages shrink to allow easier breathing. Cool mist humidifiers are recommended over warm mist humidifiers, which may cause nasal passages to swell, making it more difficult to breathe.
- Saline nose drops or spray: These keep nasal passages moist and "running," rather than stuffy.
- Nasal suctioning: Using a bulb syringe to suction nasal passages, either with or without salt water nose drops, works well for infants less than a year old. Older children often don't like the nasal syringe and will fight its use.
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to reduce fever, aches and pains. Parents should read the packing carefully and prescribed dosing.
- Drink plenty of liquids to stay well hydrated.
- Nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline, such as Afrin, are not intended for children under 6 years old.
Very young children should not take most over-the-counter cough and cold medicines because they are ineffective and, if too much is taken, can cause serious side effects, such as high blood pressure, hallucinations, erratic behavior and constipation, according to Dr. Guiot. What parents can give their kids is "lots of loving and being held," she says.
Rev. 10/07
