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Article: What to Take for a Cough?
Written on 11/6/2007
First of all, understand that nothing will kill the cold virus. So the use of cold medicine is simply to make your child feel better by controlling the symptoms. Most coughs are due to mucus running down the back of the nasal cavity and throat, and down towards the lungs. Coughing actually prevents mucus and other harmful stuff from getting into the lungs and causing pneumonia. Ideally, we want to stop the mucus, not necessarily the coughing.
Cough suppressants like dexomethorphan and codeine effect the brain by stopping the cough reflex. If they worked, which most studies say they don’t, they would prevent this protective cough and allow the mucus to settle in the lungs and cause pneumonia. In addition, one of the side effects of codeine is respiratory depression. The last thing you want when your child is having a respiratory illness is to further inhibit their breathing. So don’t use them. (A view recently expressed by The American College of Chest Physicians).
Decongestants (Pseudoephedrine) try to stop the mucus. The thought is; they stop the secretions at the nose so no post-nasal drip occurs and therefore no cough. They are a form of adrenaline, however, and may keep your child from sleeping.
Antihistimines (Diphenhydramine, Brompheniramine, and Chlorpheniramine), which may induce drowsiness, also work to dry up secretions. They do not work well on colds by themselves. But, coupled with decongestants, they may encourage sleep which may have a positive effect on your child. They are usually packaged as “Cold and Allergy” medications. All brands are the same- Dimetapp, Triaminic, Pediacare.
Recently, the FDA did an analysis that suggests the use of cough and cold medicines under the age of 6 has been tied to serious side effects, including death. (Products with decongestants are not recommended under the age of two, and antihistamines should be avoided for children under the age of six.) Although the chance of a bad outcome is extremely low, the likelihood of benefits is also quite low. Therefore, when we do a benefit/ risk analysis, we cannot recommend them.
Most other medicines- like expectorants (guaifenesin) and looseners have also been shown not to work.
Cool mist humidifiers, normal saline in the nose, and elevating the head of the bed are all helpful in treating colds and congestion. Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen) is fine for the fever and can be taken with the cold medicine provided there is no fever reducer in it already.
Bottom line, do you have to use anything? NO! Do not feel obligated to use any cold medications. TLC, time, and fluids to prevent dehydration are the only true remedies for the common cold.