| You should never use cough and cold products in | | | | different medicine formulation that is marked to deliver |
| children under 2 years of age unless your health care | | | | the exact recommended dose. A kitchen measuring |
| provider gives specific directions to do so. Children | | | | utensil is never an appropriate measuring device for |
| should never be given cough and cold medicine that is | | | | giving medicines to children. If a cough and cold product |
| packaged and made for adults. You should use only | | | | does not come packaged with a measuring device, |
| the products marked for use in babies, infants or | | | | you should consult with your pharmacist about |
| children. These products are also sometimes called: | | | | purchasing the correct one. |
| For "Pediatric" use. | | | | You will need a measuring device with the appropriate |
| Since cough and cold medicines come in much | | | | markings on it that match the dosing that is in the |
| different strength, it is probably a good idea to always | | | | directions in the Drug Facts leaflet or on the package |
| check with a healthcare provider before giving them to | | | | label, or that is recommended by the child's health care |
| your children over the age of two as well. It is equally | | | | provider. To be certain you purchase the correct |
| important to consult a healthcare provider if other | | | | device ask your pharmacist for help. |
| medicines (over-the-counter or prescription) are being | | | | If you do not understand the instructions on the |
| combined with cold and cough medicines before | | | | product, or how to use the dosing device included with |
| administering them to children. | | | | the product, DO NOT USE the medicine. Consult your |
| There is always an information leaflet called "Drug | | | | healthcare provider if you have questions on how to |
| Facts" inside the box or on the package label of cough | | | | use the product. |
| and cold medicines so it is easy to know the active | | | | Remember that cough and cold products are |
| ingredients and all the warnings associated with that | | | | formulated only to treat the "symptoms" of the |
| particular cough and cold medicine. Be sure you read it | | | | common cold as the body recovers. You can expect |
| in its entirety. | | | | help with a runny nose, congestion, fever, aches and |
| Follow the directions on the "Drug Facts" package label | | | | irritability. Children get better with time. |
| or leaflet inside the box, and do not give a child | | | | If the child's condition worsens or does not improve, |
| medicine more often or in greater amounts than is | | | | stop using the cough and cold product immediately and |
| stated on the package. Too much medicine can lead | | | | take your child to the nearest emergency clinic or |
| to serious and/or life-threatening side effects. This is | | | | health care provider for an evaluation. |
| especially true in children aged 2 years and younger. If | | | | Source: American Academy of Pediatrics |
| the health care provider prescribes or recommends a | | | | Disclaimer: These statements have not been |
| cough and cold product for your child age 2 or | | | | evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The |
| younger, be sure to follow the directions carefully in the | | | | information in this article is not intended to diagnose, |
| Drug Facts leaflet. | | | | treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns |
| When you measure liquid products, do not use a | | | | should be addressed by a qualified health care |
| kitchen teaspoon or tablespoon for this purpose. There | | | | professional. |
| should be a measuring device such as a dropper, | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. |
| dosing cup or dosing spoon packaged with each | | | | |