Should Children Take Cough Medicine for a Cough

Many parents rush to give their children cough medicine at the first sign of a cough, thinking that this will make them better. However, this approach can actually be counterproductive.

The Role and Significance of Coughing

Coughing is not only a primary symptom of respiratory infections but also a protective reflex of the body. Therefore, it is not recommended to immediately use cough medicine after a cold. Coughing helps clear secretions and foreign particles from the throat and respiratory tract, acting as a natural defense mechanism. In fact, coughing is caused by viruses or bacteria, and it indicates that the respiratory tract is "self-protecting."

Some coughs are completely normal: for instance, a child might have a few light coughs in the morning to clear mucus that accumulated in the respiratory tract overnight. Cold air can also temporarily stimulate the respiratory mucosa, causing a brief cough.

What Are the Potential Risks of Using Cough Medicine?

Doctors usually encourage mild coughing to ensure that children can expel secretions (phlegm) from their respiratory tract. If cough medicine is used too early to "suppress" the cough, it can lead to the following risks:

The child stops coughing, but the infection remains uncontrolled, causing secretions to accumulate and potentially block the airways, which can lead to new bacterial infections, bronchitis, or pneumonia in severe cases.

Foreign particles or irritants in the respiratory tract that are not expelled through coughing can worsen the child's condition.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children under 2 years old.

Which Cough Medicines Are Not Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics?

Expectorants (e.g., guaifenesin)

Mucolytics (e.g., acetylcysteine, bromhexine)

Narcotic antitussives (e.g., codeine) and non-narcotic antitussives (e.g., dextromethorphan)

Bronchodilators for non-asthmatic common cold-related cough

Probiotics to prevent children's colds

When Should Cough Medicine Be Used?

If a child has a productive cough (with phlegm), cough medicine is not recommended. However, if the child has a dry, irritating cough that significantly affects sleep, cough medicines such as dextromethorphan can be used appropriately.

References: WebMD, Mayoclinic.org