OTC Medicines

What are some common over-the-counter medicines available for children?

You can get over-the-counter (OTC) medicines without a doctor's order. This doesn't mean that OTCs are harmless. Like prescription medicines, OTCs can be very dangerous to a child if not taken the right way. You need to read and understand the instructions before giving OTCs to your child.

The following are common OTCs for children. Talk with your pediatrician before you give your child any medicine.

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen (fever reducer or pain reliever). Can help your child feel better if your child's head or body aches or he has a fever. They also can help relieve minor pain from bangs and bumps or soreness from a shot. You don't need to treat a mild fever if your child is playing, drinking fluids, and generally acting well.

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen have few side effects and are quite safe if the right dose is given. They come in drops for infants, liquid (syrup or elixir) for toddlers, and chewable tablets for older children. Acetaminophen also comes in suppositories if your child is vomiting and can't keep down medicine taken by mouth. Never give a child aspirin.

Keep in mind that infant drops are stronger (more concentrated) than syrup for toddlers. Some parents make the mistake of giving higher doses of infant drops to a toddler, thinking the drops are not as strong. Be sure the type you give your child is appropriate for his weight and age.

Ibuprofen tends to work better than acetaminophen in treating high fevers (103°F or higher). However, ibuprofen should only be given to children older than 6 months. Never give it to a child who is dehydrated or vomiting.

If your child has a kidney disease, asthma, an ulcer, or other chronic illness, ask your pediatrician if ibuprofen is safe for your child. Don't give your child ibuprofen or acetaminophen if he is taking any other pain reliever or fever reducer, unless your pediatrician says it's OK.

Important online update 1/17/08 - "Treating coughs and colds"

Antihistamines. Can help your child feel better when he has a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing due to allergies (but not colds). They also can help relieve itching from chickenpox or insect bites. They can even control hives or other allergic reactions. Antihistamines can make some children sleepy. Other children may become irritable, nervous,or restless. For that reason, don't give an antihistamine at bedtime unless you know your child will have no trouble sleeping.

Cough syrups. Coughing helps clear the lungs of germs and mucus. A cough is "productive" if it sounds like mucus is coming up. This type of cough usually doesn't need to be treated. However, some coughs may be very dry and keep your child up at night. A humidifier may help loosen your child's cough. (Be sure to clean the humidifier often to prevent mold and bacteria buildup.) Some cough medicines, called expectorants, may also help loosen mucus. Cough suppressants, which help calm a cough, should be avoided as coughing helps clear the lungs. Current studies question the effectiveness and safety of cough suppressants, so you should check with your pediatrician before giving your child cough medicines or expectorants. Cough medicine isn't usually recommended to relieve cough caused by asthma.

Cold medicines. Many cold medicines contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Always check the ingredients, especially if you're giving your child more than one medicine at the same time. If you're not careful, you could give your child too much of a certain kind of medicine, and it could lead to an overdose.

Cortisone/hydrocortisone cream. Used to treat insect bites, mild skin rashes, poison ivy, and eczema. Ask your pediatrician how often you can apply it and if it's OK to use on your child's face. It should never be used for chickenpox, burns, infections, or open wounds or on broken skin.

Decongestant (liquid). May relieve some cold symptoms. However, they can have many side effects. Children may become irritable, nervous, or restless. Current studies question the effectiveness of decongestants, so check with your pediatrician before giving your child these medicines.

Decongestant (nose drops). Can help make breathing easier. However, they should never be given to an infant because too much of the medicine can be absorbed through the nose. Also, the more they are used, the less they work, and symptoms can return or even get worse. If your older child can't eat or sleep because of a stuffy nose, ask your pediatrician about decongestant nose drops. Don't give your child decongestant nose drops for more than 2 to 3 days unless your pediatrician says it's OK.

Saline nose drops. May help if your child is having trouble eating or sleeping because of a stuffy nose. A bulb syringe may be used to suck out nasal mucus after saline drops are used. Put 1 to 2 drops into a nostril at a time. Use the bulb syringe to suck out the drops and mucus. Using a bulb syringe can irritate your child's nose, so try not to use it too often. If your child is sleeping and eating well, there's no need to treat a stuffy nose.

Stomach and intestinal problems medicine. There are many OTCs for common stomach and intestinal problems such as heartburn, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. Most of these conditions go away by themselves. Sometimes a temporary change in diet helps. Before using any medicines for constipation or diarrhea, talk with your pediatrician. Repeated bouts of diarrhea or chronic constipation can be a sign of a more serious problem.

Remember to let your pediatrician know if your child has any side effects to any medicine.