Foxnews.com WASHINGTON — Children under 4 should not be given cough and cold medicines, companies that make those products said Tuesday in announcing new guidelines for their use. The industry has been criticized by pediatricians for marketing over-the-counter cough and cold remedies for children under 6 despite a lack of evidence that they work, and reports of safety problems. Linda Suydam, president of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, said the companies were voluntarily making the change "out of an abundance of caution." The association represents leading manufacturers and distributors of nonprescription, over-the-counter medicines and nutritional supplements. The companies will also add a warning to their product labels saying parents should not give young children antihistamines to make them sleepy. Antihistamines are used to relieve allergies. Government health officials said last week the issue needed additional study.
I've got 3 kids, been a mom for almost 9 years, and I discovered about 4 years ago that cold medicines are worthless! So I haven't even bought them in a long time. I'll give tylenol or motrin for fevers, and delsym or mucinex for really bad coughs, but I don't give anything for a regular cold. Knock on wood, my kids are pretty healthy. My middle one gets sick a lot, and has seasonal allergies, so he does get zyrtec daily in October and April/May, but that's about it here. I had a pharmacist tell me years ago not to give babies/young kids cold meds because they don't work. And I've never really found one that did so I just stopped trying...
I am starting to realize that. I have been giving my dd Tylenol (cough and runny nose) for a few days. Its been 2 weeks now and she still has it. But never had a fever.
I don't do cold meds either. I prefer nose drops and homeopathic treatments. Tylenol and IB for fevers/aches/pains. That's about it. The oldest (14YO) takes cold meds occasionally.
My dad used to mix a little Jack Daniels with honey for me, I think that's what it was anyway. I know it was whiskey and something sweet. :lol:
I use Granny Bessie's recipe to this day. Apple Brandy, Lemon Juice, Sugar, and Honey....mix to taste. I like to microwave it and breathe the vapors to open my sinuses. Then, a few spoonfuls knock out the cough.
We always had pretty good luck with Triaminic strips. I understand experts are concerned about overdosages, but it would be the same thing if you go to the doctor, get two or three prescriptions and medicate. I suppose its okay as long as you go to the doctor and he/she charge your insurance for $100 office visit and you pay a co-pay plus the costs of the medicines. What happens when absent-minded parents OD their kids on prescription drugs? Humidifers may help and chicken soup...maybe...if you can get a finicky eater to consume it. I agree with kids under 2, but under four I don't. I say a three or four year old is okay to take something as benign as Triaminic melt strips. What is going to happen is you'll have parents only resorting to cutting down adult doses for their kids and exacerbating the problem. Parents don't want to see their kids sick. I don't and I've seen a few products work decently well for relief. Can't remember the name, but that orange-flavored cough medicine does well too.
I believe you're referring to Delsym, which is what I mentioned for coughs. It's only good for coughs, nothing else, but works great and lasts long. Just discovered it myself 2 years ago.
