Cough and Cold Medicine

1. Non-medicine remedies: Non-medicine remedies may be helpful for some children. Here are some examples: 
   1. Cool mist vaporizers: These will add moisture to the air. They can also thin secretions.
   2. Nasal bulb syringe: These can stop congestion in infants with stuffy noses.
   3. Saline drops or spray: These can stop secretions in the nose for older infants and children. Use these four times a day. Follow the directions carefully. 
2. Children less than four years of age: Ask your child’s pharmacist or physician before giving them medicines. These medicines can cause side effects in children less than four years of age. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) has recommended that manufacturers modify the product labels of OTC cough and cold medicines to state "do not use" in children under 4 years of age. The Food and Drug Administration supports this effort. Products will continue to be available during this transition time, so it is very important that parents ask their pharmacist or physician before giving these medications and follow the instructions on the label carefully. For older children, look at the label on the medicine. This label should give a dose for your child. Ask your child’s pharmacist or physician if you have questions.
3. Single product medicines: It is best to use single medicine product if your child is sick. These medicines will treat just the symptom that your child has. Here are some examples: Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed^®), (Dimetapp^®) and phenylephrine (Vicks^®, Neo-Synephrine^®) are used to stop stuffy noses. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl^®) and chlorpheneramine (Chlor-Trimeton^®) are used to stop runny eyes or noses. Guaifenesin (Robitussin^®) is to break up chest congestion. Dextromethorphan (Delsym^®, Vicks 44^®, Robitussin Pediatric Cough^®) is used to stop a cough.
4. Combination medicines: Medicines used to stop cough and congestion are not the same. Your child may not need a combination medicine if they are sick. Combination medicines may cause side effects. Many combination medicines have the same main ingredients. Ask yourself these questions to pick the best medicine. Does my child’s cough stop him/her from sleeping? Does the congestion make it hard for my child to eat? These questions will help you choose the best medicine for your child.
5. Medicines with acetaminophen (Tylenol^®): Do not choose combination medicines with acetaminophen (Tylenol^®).  Read the label carefully. Give this only if your child has fever or pain. 
6.  Medicine measurement devices:   You can use the measuring device that comes with your child's medicine or you can also use an oral syringe. These are sold at most pharmacies and are not expensive. Do not use tablespoons or teaspoons for medicines. 
   
   
   
7. Vitamin C and Zinc: Do not buy vitamin C and zinc medicines. These medicines are not helpful. They can cause side effects in large doses.
8. Chicken soup: Chicken soup is a home remedy. It can help your child if they have a sore throat. It also helps with getting your child to drink fluids. It does not cure the flu or common cold. 
9. Cold weather: Cold weather does not cause colds. The flu and colds are more common in the winter. This is when there are more viruses in the community. Your child can get a cold any time of the year. Make sure your child gets a flu shot every year. Hand washing is also very important to avoid catching colds from other people who are sick.

****You can find more information on the internet at the Food and Drug Administration

http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/publichealthadvisories/ucm051137.html