Newswise — Concern about the safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter pediatric cough and cold medicines, particularly when given to very young children, may leave many wondering how else to treat their child's cough and cold symptoms.
"A cold is caused by a virus that cannot be killed by an antibiotic," explained Jacqueline Kaari, a pediatrician and chair of pediatrics at the UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine. "Nothing, including over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, will make it go away faster, but you can treat the symptoms."
Kaari offered the following tips:- use a cool mist humidifier to moisturize air passageways;- use throat lozenges to relieve sore throat when age appropriate;- drink honey and lemon in hot water or decaffeinated tea for cough;- steam, such as shower steam, will help loosen secretions;- encourage good nutrition and drinking plenty of liquids - do not "feed a cold or starve a fever" ;- give Tylenol, following the recommended dosage instructions, for a fever;- rest: keep children home from school for one to three days and for at least 24 hours after they have had a fever.
Recently, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which represents most of the makers of nonprescription over-the-counter cough and cold pediatric medicines, announced that its members would voluntarily modify product labels of OTC cough and cold medicines to warn against their use in children four years of age and younger.
In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a public health advisory recommending that these drugs not be used to treat infants and children under two years of age because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur.
Kaari recommended that over-the-counter cough and cold medications be reserved for use in children above four years of age. Her biggest concern is verdose. "When treating a multi-symptom cold with multiple OTC meds, ingredients may overlap, resulting in an overdose," she said. "Persons that do administer OTC medications to their children must follow directions carefully."
To prevent such problems, Kaari suggested that medications which treat only one symptom be used, such as dextromethorphan or guaifenesin for cough or pseudoephedrine for congestion.
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) is the nation's largest free-standing public health sciences university with nearly 5,700 students attending the state's three medical schools, its only dental school, a graduate school of biomedical sciences, a school of health related professions, a school of nursing and a school of public health on five campuses. Annually, there are more than two million patient visits at UMDNJ facilities and faculty practices at campuses in Newark, New Brunswick/Piscataway, Scotch Plains, Camden and Stratford. UMDNJ operates University Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center in Newark, and University Behavioral HealthCare, a statewide mental health and addiction services network.
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