Medicine Might Not Make Kids Feel Better

Young children are very susceptible to colds, and can experience an average of six to ten colds per year. So it might seem to you as though kids are always sick. Fortunately, most of these are viral infections, and will clear up within a week or two. But as a parent, knowing from experience how miserable the coughing, runny nose, itchy eyes or fever can be, you want to help relieve your child’s symptoms in any way that you can.

However, most of these medicines were formulated and tested for adult symptoms, not necessarily for children. In fact, many of these medicines could actually be harmful to your kids, even in standard doses. Some of these common ingredients have been linked to neurological conditions, heartbeat irregularities, and even death in young children and infants.

Parents should always read directions on all medicines before even considering giving them to their child, and especially be aware that they should never give cough or cold medicine to children under 2 years old unless specifically prescribed by a doctor to do so. New warnings are recommending that even for children as old as 6 years old, parents should consult their health care professional. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) offers a number of recommendations and warnings for parents to be aware of when administering medicine to kids:

• Never give children under 2 years old cough and cold medicine unless prescribed by a doctor.
• Never give children adult medicine. Use only products marked for “pediatric” use, i.e., for babies, infants & children.
• Cold medicines come in different strengths. Check with your doctor if you are unsure of which is appropriate for you child.
• Always check with your doctor before combining use of any medication.
• Always follow dosage and use instructions. Never give a child a higher or more frequent dosage than the package suggests.
• If you don’t understand the instructions on the product, do not use the medicine. Always talk to your doctor if you have any questions about the medicine.

The purpose of cough and cold medicines is to treat the symptoms associated with being sick, but there is no actual cure for the cold itself. Parents need to be aware of the potential dangers associated with many of these cold medicines, and consult a healthcare provider to guide any questions or concerns. Check out the FDA website for more information on what you should know about over-the-counter medicines and keeping your kids healthy and safe.