Cough and cold medicines should not be recommended for children

Cough belongs to the most common symptoms of respiratory tract infections, and irritating cough is often reason why parents decide come with their children an emergency room or department. The majority infections in are mild viral treated at home without any medicines. Most symptomatic supportive medicines belong over-the-counter available evidence-based guidelines recommend relieving fever pain if needed, appropriate drugs, but they do not use cold There no research-based evidence for effectiveness medicines, may have side effects, especially under school-aged children.1 Finnish Current Care Guidelines on lower published 2014 did medicines.2 In United States, Food Drug Administration recommended 2008 that younger than 2 years should because concerns about efficacy safety. Thereafter, manufacturers relabelled only older 4 years, American Academy Pediatrics avoiding 6 years.3 Subsequent national USA utilisation studies showed decreased paediatric medicines.4, 5 This decreasing trend has continued through 2010s overall doctoral recommendations declined more strongly opioid-containing However, prescriptions antihistamines increased same time.3 Statistics Medicines contains, since 2007, annual data sales pharmacies comparable groupings drug consumption indicators (available www.kela.fi). these reports, been divided into four groups, which mucolytics, depressants, expectorants combinations. separation mucolytics artificial, addition, effects drugs both groups questioned children. useful reflecting costs defined daily doses (DDD)/1000 inhabitants/year total sales/year. data, figures contain prescribed by a doctor bought prescriptions. register does information, whether medicine was adults. case age cannot be judged even indirectly, administered as mixtures soluble tablets all-age consumers. Finland, 46.4% from 2007 2019 when estimated DDD/1000/year 22.3% sales. 8.82 4.73 2019. were € 13.7 million, 2019, still 10.7 million. When compared, mycolytics marginally, 38.5%. Two new dornase-alpha pulmonary complications cystic fibrosis ambroxol adults over 12-year-old licenced between Instead, suppressants, combinations 64.8%, 82.0% 63.6%, respectively. 3.07 versus 1.08 0.5 0.09 2.8 1.0 suppressant group, dextrometorphan 31.6% other opium alkaloids 69.1%. accordingly, being 2.3 million suppressant, 0.2 3.5 expectorants. authors publish this issue Acta Paediatrica results suppressants five outpatient clinics.6 all, 1661 records reviewed two public health rooms, private clinics department teaching hospital. compared eras, consisting infection seasons before after publication children's 2014. advised prescribe children.2 prescribed, average, 8.5% 9.7% guidelines.6 varied 5.6% 13.1% 11.6% 24.0% clinics. None discharged hospital received depressants describe how doctors children, found had impact during short 4-year period. Thus, findings study different procurement long-term trends. prescription reflect desires opinions doctors. For example, insurances compensate doctor. paediatricians residents who work treat hospitalised seem keep line also duty UK, 100 excipients 60 liquid formulations.7 Excipients considered ingredients active ingredients, concerning complex role. form sweet viscous syrup, and, example sugars, glycerol menthol can medicine, though causing placebo effect.7 tastes, smells colours induce feeling reduce. Some honey beneficial cough. Six randomised controlled 899 aged 12 months 18 included systematic review acute infection-associated ambulatory settings.8 meta-analyses, reduced frequency better treatment (mean difference [MD] −1.05, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] −1.48 −0.62; 154 children) (MD −1.62, CI −3.02 −0.22; 402 children). Adverse events rare; 12% group 11% complained mainly gastrointestinal symptoms.8 mechanisms, known. Usually, dissolved warm water, so, close pharmaceutical dosage Maybe, sugars components currently covering receptors throat. Undoubtedly, so would answer challenge. Purinergic P2X3 receptor antagonists, primarily developed pains relief, shown promising refractory unexplained chronic adults, proceeded phases 3.9 problem prolonged different, asthma so-called bacterial bronchitis considered.10 Currently cause Honey alternative age, infants potential risk botulinum toxin presence honey. critical, half-to-one teaspoon water given evening going bed seems practice. None.