Types of Children's Cough Medicine

It's late at night and your child has a cold. She can't sleep because she's coughing, and you're wondering what you can give her to help ease her cough so she can get some rest. A wide range of cough medicines are on the market, but due to potential side effects and concerns about the safety of such products, it's important for parents to learn all they can about their options when treating they're child's cough.

Types

• There two primary types of over-the-counter cough medicines are: expectorants and suppressants. Expectorants can help your child if she has a wet, productive cough but having trouble coughing up the mucus. An expectorant can help thin the mucus, thereby making it easier to expel. Cough suppressants help calm the cough reflex. According to Kidshealth.org, coughing due to a cold can become worse at night when the mucus from the nose and sinuses can drain down the throat. If his cough is keeping him awake at night, a cough suppressant can help your child get the sleep she needs.

Safety Concerns

• In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration took a dramatic step with regard to cold and cough medicines for children. It announced that no child younger than the age of 2 should be given over-the-counter cold and cough medicine. This was in response to an alarming number of reports of serious and life-threatening side effects. Manufacturers of cold and cough medicine voluntarily removed dosing instructions for children younger than 2. In addition, manufacturers of these products now no longer recommend medication for children younger than 4.

Alternatives

• For parents concerned about the safety of over-the-counter cough medicines, there are alternatives to help your child. Run a cool mist vaporizer, have her drink plenty of fluids, and use a saline nasal spray. For an older child (older than 1), some warm water with honey can help ease a cough. Many homeopathic and herbal cough remedies are on the market. Most health food stores carry these products and often have staff on hand who are knowledgeable about the products, or you might even find a homeopathic pharmacy in your area. Your pediatrician might also be knowledgeable about homeopathic products.

Facts

• While it can be distressing to hear your child coughing, experts agree that unless it's interfering with her daily functioning or sleep, it's best to not treat the cough with any type of medication. According to Dr. Lisa Asta, a pediatrician in San Francisco, "When your child has a cold coughing clears infected mucus from her lungs and keeps nasal mucus from dripping down into them. If she didn't cough, a little sniffle could turn into pneumonia."

Warning

• Before giving your child any type of cough medication, consult your pediatrician. Besides the safety issues involved, your child might have health conditions that are adversely affected by the ingredients in cough medicines. If your child is on medication for other health conditions, check with your pharmacist to make sure the cough medicine you are buying won't interfere with it. Use only the measuring cup that comes with the product. If your child's cough lasts longer than a few days, his breathing is labored or her symptoms worsen, call your pediatrician. Also call your pediatrician if your child's cough sounds like barking, as this can signal whooping cough. When in doubt, it's always a safe choice to call, even if it's the middle of the night.