Cough and cold medicines for children – what you should know

A cold is a respiratory illness that is usually self-limiting and lasts about a week. Symptoms may include sneezing, coughing, runny or stuffy nose, and a sore throat. Cough and cold medicines may provide relief from these symptoms, but they do not cure or shorten the duration of the common cold.

Some cough and cold medicines can be purchased without a prescription. However, they should be used according to their labelled instructions and under careful adult supervision. Incorrect usage can cause serious and potentially life-threatening side effects such as rapid heart rates, seizures, decreased levels of consciousness or even death in very young children.

Using cough and cold medicines safely on your children

For very young children below the age of two, seek advice from a medical professional to determine if medicine is required or if there is a more serious medical condition affecting the child.

For children aged two to 12:

• If you are unsure of the medicine that is suitable for your child’s condition, please consult a doctor or pharmacist before giving any medicine to the child.

• Check that the medicine is suitable for the child as there may be medicines with the same brand name sold in different strengths for children and adults. Do not give more than the recommended dosage and frequency.

• Check the ingredients on the label or box of the medicine to make sure you are not giving the child different medicines containing the same ingredient, as this can result in an overdose. You can ask your pharmacist if you are unsure whether the different medicines contain the same ingredients.

• Use the measuring spoons or cups that are provided with the product, or use those made specifically for measuring medicines.

• Cough and cold medicines should not be used merely to make children sleepy.

If a child's cold symptoms do not improve, get worse, or is accompanied by fever, take him or her to the doctor. A persistent cough may signal a more serious condition such as bronchitis or asthma. 

Besides medicines, there are alternative approaches to relieve the symptoms for cough and cold. For example, keeping the child hydrated by letting him drink plenty of fluids which can also help to loosen mucus, using saline nasal drops or gently suctioning mucus from the nose with a bulb syringe. You may wish to consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice on these approaches.