The symptoms of a cold can make a child feel very uncomfortable. Many parents are inclined to help their child feel better using cough and cold medicines. However, there is no evidence that over-the-counter cough medicines actually help children get well sooner, according to the California Childcare Health Program. Because many over-the-counter cold medicines can cause potentially fatal side effects in children, many pediatricians do not recommend giving them to children.
Heart Prolems
Several cough medicines contain a decongestant called pseudoephedrine, which can cause side effects involving the heart. Pseudoephedrine has been linked to irregularities in both the rhythm and force of the heartbeat, a condition known as arrhythmia, reports the California Childcare Health Program. In some cases, pseudoephedrine can also cause dangerous increases in blood pressure. Pseudoephedrine has been linked to cases of infant death, leading the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to recommend that parents never give over-the-counter cold or cough medicines to children under the age of 2.
Hyperactivity
Several ingredients in over-the-counter cough medicines often cause drowsiness in adults, including antihistamines and sleeping aids like diphenhydramine. While these chemicals may sometimes cause drowsiness in children, in some cases these medications can cause the opposite effect, resulting in excitation, restlessness and hyperactivity, reports the Minnesota Poison Control System.
Neurological Problems
Several neurological problems have been associated with dextromethorphan, another ingredient in many easily available cough medicines. The recommended doses of dextromethorphan can potentially cause hallucinations in children, the California Childcare Health Program explains. Dextromethorphan has also been linked to unusual behaviors and abnormal movements, such as facial tics, tremors and lack of coordination. Anxiety and insomnia are also potential side effects, reports the Minnesota Poison Control System.
Nausea and Other Effects
Many of the ingredients in over-the-counter cough medicines can cause general side effects including nausea, vomiting, headache and diarrhea. Antihistamines can also cause fatigue, dry eyes and dry mouth. Cough suppressants, such as dextromethorphan, can also cause constipation. Pain relievers, including ibuprofen and acetaminophen, are often included in cough medicines and can cause liver damage if taken in high doses, warns the Minnesota Poison Control System. Different cough medicines often contain the same ingredients, meaning that giving a child more than one type of medicine can inadvertently cause an overdose of a common ingredient, which can severely worsen the side effects.
References
- California Childcare Health Program: Safety and Effectiveness of Cough and Cold Medicine in Children
- Minnesota Poison Control System: Over The Counter Cough and Cold Medications
- FamilyDoctor: OTC Cough and Cold Medicines and My Child: What Do I Need to Know?
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Cough
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