Cough and Cold Remedies in Children under 2
November 2, 2008
Advice from the conmission on human medicines is that based upon available evidence the balance of risk and benefits of cough and cold products is no longer favourable in children under 2 years; and therefore should not be used to treat children under 2 years.
It affects the following ingredients that are contained in many cough and cold remedies.
• brompheniramine, chlorphenamine & diphenhydramine
(antihistamines);
• dextromethorphan and pholcodine (antitussives);
• guaifenesin and ipecacuanha (expectorants);
• phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, oxymetazoline and
xylometazoline (decongestants).
Questions that you may ask
What should I do with the products I have in my cupboard?
You should review these to see whether there are any which you no longer need or are no longer suitable for under 2s: these can be taken to any pharmacy for safe disposal. For children over 2, cough and cold medicines may still be useful in reducing symptoms.
What should I do if I have just given one of these products to my child?
Provided that the child has been given the dose as recommended on the bottle, you do not need to worry; but if you have concerns about the condition of your child, you should contact a health professional - for example, by calling NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
Are cough and cold medicines still safe to use in children over 2 years?
Cough and cold preparations are considered safe when used at the recommended doses. To ensure that these medicines are used safely the following advice should be followed:
The instructions on the medicine about suitable age groups and appropriate doses should be followed carefully, taking into account the most recent advice.
Cough and cold medicines may contain more than one active ingredient and different brands may contain the same active ingredients. These are listed on the medicine packaging. Parents should not give a child more than one cough and cold medicine, as they may contain the same active ingredient(s) and the maximum recommended dose(s) for the drug(s) may be exceeded.
The medicine should be administered carefully in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to ensure the child does not receive more than the maximum dose.
Can I still give my child ibuprofen or paracetamol?
You can give your child ibuprofen or paracetamol, in accordance with the instructions on the label, provided the child is not taking any other medicine which contains these ingredients
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