COUGH SYRUPS: EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ITS USE IN CHILDREN

A few days ago we talked about cough in children, the different types that exist and how we can identify it based on its characteristics. Sometimes, the cough can be very annoying, and even prevent nighttime rest, so many parents consider administering cough syrups to combat it.

But nevertheless, pediatricians warn that syrups are not always convenient nor effective, in addition to that they can sometimes pose a danger to the child's health. We tell you everything you should know about cough syrups.

Soft cough should not be treated with syrups

When it comes to cough treatments we must distinguish between dry cough and productive or soft cough.

Dry cough It is one that does not move phlegm and is produced, in most cases, by throat irritation.
Productive cough or soft coughOn the contrary, it helps to move the mucus and take it out, so it is a very useful and necessary cough for the healing process.

In Babies and more Types of cough in children: how to identify and relieve it

Cutting the productive cough with cough syrups could be detrimental to the child's health, since the mucus would be retained causing greater airway obstruction.

On the contrary, if the pediatrician recommends it, the dry and persistent cough could be treated with syrups, since it is a very annoying cough that has no purpose.

In any case, from the Spanish Society of Outpatient Pediatrics and Primary Care it is recommended not to use drugs for the treatment of mild cough symptoms.

Cough syrups: what we should consider

Pediatricians insist on the importance of Do not buy any over-the-counter cough syrup, or administer these types of drugs to children without medical advice.

This is because it seems that the benefits of cough syrups are very scarce, but instead side effects are often described in infants who are not always mild. That is to say, the risks outweigh the benefits on many occasions, so it is preferable to opt for natural measures such as honey (always in children older than one year!).

In Babies and more Honey with milk is as good a cough remedy as cough syrups

If despite the considerations, pediatrician and family choose to use a pharmacological treatment to relieve the cough of the child, from the Spanish Society of Outpatient Pediatrics and Primary Care recommend the following:

"We should avoid the associations of cough suppressants with antihistamines and contraceptives and reassess the situation if the cough persists. We will only treat dry cough of highways or lowways without secretions, which creates discomfort in the child and for a limited period of time and not below two years. "
"Although the use of mucolytics and antihistamines is widespread, there is no scientific evidence to justify their use. We will recommend liquids as the best mucolytic. The only indication of antihistamines would be in schoolchildren and adolescents who associate an allergic rhinosinusitis and should withdraw if there is no improvement in two weeks. "

Syrups with codeine: totally prohibited

Mention deserves separate syrups with codeine, whose administration It is not recommended in children under 12 years of age or in breastfeeding women, as the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) warns.

In Babies and more Health prohibits the use of codeine in children and during breastfeeding

Codeine is an opioid that can cause serious consequences in children, and even death. This is because Codeine, after passing through the liver, is transformed into morphine, but in some people this transformation takes place quickly, presenting a greater risk of intoxication.

Although morphine poisoning can occur at any age, children under 12 years of age are at an increased risk of adverse reactions, as are those with respiratory problems, regardless of their age.

We leave you this list of Vademecum where you can check the name of the medications that contain codeine. Among the syrups are some such as Bisoltús or Toseína.

Nonpharmacological measures to relieve cough

From the Spanish Society of Outpatient Pediatrics and Primary Care, the following measures are recommended to relieve cough in children:

Abundant oral hydration with warm liquids
Keep the nasal passage unobstructed by frequent nasal washes with physiological serum
Avoid stoves that produce hot and dry air
Maintain the environment with a certain degree of humidity
Avoid contaminated environments, especially children's exposure to tobacco smoke
After an acute respiratory condition, it is advisable to postpone a few days the child's attendance at the nursery, as a greater susceptibility to new infections seems to be demonstrated if the reinstatement is excessively immediate.

In Babies and more Natural remedies against cough

Further, The following clarification is made regarding alternative treatments:

"There are no controlled studies on: homeopathy, acupuncture and Chinese herbs in cough. There is no evidence on the use of: humidifiers, vaporizers, ionizers and filters, so they are not recommended."

So, if your child has been coughing for several days, it is recommended that the pediatrician assess him, and in no case choose to buy cough syrups without his recommendation and indications, as it could worsen the picture or present serious side effects.

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