Coughs And Colds : New Safety Advice For Parents

Cough and cold medicines containing antihistamines, decongestants, cough suppressants and expectorants will no longer be recommended for children under two. The move follows a safety review by The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), UK – which suggested this age-group is at a greater risk from incorrect use of these medicines. Because babies are so small, they’re more susceptible to the effect of accidental over-dosage.

baby and medicine

Don’t fret if you’ve used these products on your baby, as the issue is one of over-dosage  and any harm would have been evident at the time. In future, though, avoid using such products on under-twos.

THESE ARE UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS ON TREATING A CHILD UNDER TWO WHO HAS A COUGH OR COLD:

• Lower temperature with paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• If they have a cough, use a simple syrup such as glycerol, honey or lemon.
• Nasal saline drops are recommended for babies who have difficulty feeding, to help clear nasal secretions.
• Instructions on medicines about suitable age-groups and appropriate doses should be followed carefully.
• If you are concerned about your child’s condition or the correct medicines, always contact the pediatrician.