Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center

Tools & Resources

Font Size

Children’s Cold Medicine: Safety Information

When your kids get a cold, you probably wonder which cold medicine is the safest. Because children have special needs when it comes to cold medicines, here's some safety information to consider when your child catches a cold.

Are cold medicines safe for kids?

Makers of over-the counter children's cough and cold medicines agree that these medicines should not be used in children under 4. This includes:

cough suppressants (dextromethorphan or DM)
cough expectorants (guaifenesin)
decongestants (pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine)
antihistamines (such as brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine [Benadryl] and others)

Evidence indicates that these cold medicines don't really help, and they post a small risk of serious side effects. While millions of children have taken cold medicines without any trouble, there were reports between 1969 and 2006 of 60 young children dying from decongestants or antihistamines.

Given that there's no evidence that kids' cold medicines help children, some consider any risk - no matter how slight - to be unacceptably high.

Is it safe to give my child cold medicine?

Children's cough and cold medicines are considered safe for children 4 and over. However, the FDA recommends the following safety guidelines:

Always read the package label and follow directions carefully.
Don't use cough or cold medicines in children under 4 years old unless you receive specific directions to do so from your child's doctor.
Never increase the dose of a medicine or give the medicine more frequently than is stated on the package. Too much medicine can cause serious and life-threatening side effects.
Do not give adult medicines to kids. Children should only take products marked for use in babies, infants, or children (sometimes called "pediatric" use).
Ask your child's doctor if you are unsure about the right medicine for your child. Cough and cold medicines come in many different strengths.
Tell your child's doctor about any other medicines (OTC or prescription) that are being given to your child. This is so that your child's doctor can review and approve their combined use.
Always use the measuring device (dropper, dosing cup, or dosing spoon) that is packaged with the child's medicine. (A kitchen teaspoon is not an appropriate measuring device for giving medicines to children.)

Shouldn't you treat cold symptoms in kids?

Treating cold symptoms is not necessary and might not be safe for some kids. Most colds run their course within 5 to 10 days - with or without treatment. In addition, there are no studies supporting the use of antihistamines, cough suppressants, decongestants, vitamins and minerals, herbs, or antibiotics for the treatment of kids' colds. Also, when you suppress a cough, this may worsen the symptoms by making it difficult for your child to cough up the thick mucus.

Are there safe ways to relieve kids' cold symptoms?

Yes, there are some safe ways to treat your child's cold symptoms. Here's how:

Use pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for body aches. Do not use ibuprofen in children under age 6 months. Do not use aspirin with any child because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious disease.
Try saline drops or saline nasal irrigation to clear thick mucus out of your child's nose.
Give your child plenty of liquids to increase hydration and help thin mucus.
Use a humidifier in your child's room to add moisture to the dry air.
If your child has asthma or wheezes, talk to your doctor. Your child may benefit from a bronchodilator (beta-agonist medication) to relieve swollen airways.