| Pediatric Associates of Fort Collins |
Cough Medications
Why are we not recommending cold/cough medications
for young children?
There has been much debate over the efficacy and use of cold and cough medications for
several years. There has been no substantial information available through scientific studies
that demonstrate that cold and cough medications are of any benefit. In contrast, the
“placebo effect” has been proven to be a large part of why cold and cough medications are
perceived to be effective. Cold and cough medications have been known to cause some
adverse effects. They may cause stimulation, especially in the cardiac and central nervous
systems. Additionally, many of these medications can cause sedation and decreased
respiratory rate. For the most part, our practice has not encouraged the use of these
medications, and we have mildly discouraged their use, but we have used them for children
over 6 months of age, as have a great majority of pediatricians in the country.
In October 2007, new scientific reports concluded that the cold and cough medications
directly resulted in the deaths of a few infants and young children, rather than the deaths
resulting from the children’s illnesses. There have been multiple newspaper and TV news
reports about this problem.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is now formally stating cold and cough medication
should NOT be given to children under 2 years of age. Anti-histamines, which may
still be used to treat allergies and hives, should not be given to treat colds.
Furthermore, codeine or hydrocodone containing medications should not be given to
children under 6 years of age to treat coughs. Codeine and like compounds are okay
for pain relief. We, as a practice, will be adhering to theses guidelines very strictly. The
FDA is reviewing the data, but is expected to take over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough
medications for children <2 years of age off the market. We may also see the FDA
eventually recommend that cold and cough medications not be given for children <6 years of
age. Thus, our practice will not be encouraging their use in the 2-5 year age group as well.
for young children?
There has been much debate over the efficacy and use of cold and cough medications for
several years. There has been no substantial information available through scientific studies
that demonstrate that cold and cough medications are of any benefit. In contrast, the
“placebo effect” has been proven to be a large part of why cold and cough medications are
perceived to be effective. Cold and cough medications have been known to cause some
adverse effects. They may cause stimulation, especially in the cardiac and central nervous
systems. Additionally, many of these medications can cause sedation and decreased
respiratory rate. For the most part, our practice has not encouraged the use of these
medications, and we have mildly discouraged their use, but we have used them for children
over 6 months of age, as have a great majority of pediatricians in the country.
In October 2007, new scientific reports concluded that the cold and cough medications
directly resulted in the deaths of a few infants and young children, rather than the deaths
resulting from the children’s illnesses. There have been multiple newspaper and TV news
reports about this problem.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is now formally stating cold and cough medication
should NOT be given to children under 2 years of age. Anti-histamines, which may
still be used to treat allergies and hives, should not be given to treat colds.
Furthermore, codeine or hydrocodone containing medications should not be given to
children under 6 years of age to treat coughs. Codeine and like compounds are okay
for pain relief. We, as a practice, will be adhering to theses guidelines very strictly. The
FDA is reviewing the data, but is expected to take over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough
medications for children <2 years of age off the market. We may also see the FDA
eventually recommend that cold and cough medications not be given for children <6 years of
age. Thus, our practice will not be encouraging their use in the 2-5 year age group as well.
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