Children Under Six Should Not Use Cold and Cough Medicines

Canadian doctors are now warning parents not to use over the counter cough and flu remedies for children under six. This past fall they were supposed to be relabeled with the warning on the box. Certain ingredients are considered dangerous for children to digest before the age that is stipulated.

 This would be the listing of the ingredients to watch for and not to use.

 Antihistamines in cough and cold medicines

 brompheniramine maleate

chlorpheniramine maleate

clemastine hydrogen fumerate

dexbrompheniramine maleate

diphenhydramine hydrochloride

diphenylpyraline hydrochloride

doxylamine succinate

pheniramine maleate

phenyltoloxamine citrate

promethazine hydrochloride

pyrilamine maleate

triprolidine hydrochloride

 Antitussives

 dextromethorphan

dextromethorphan hydrobromide

diphenhydramine hydrochloride

 Expectorants

 guaifenesin (glyceryl guaiacolate)

 Decongestants

 ephedrine hydrochloride/sulphate

phenylephrine hydrochloride/sulphate

pseudoephedrine hydrochloride/sulphate

 Please do not use these products for children under six as the Canadian health board has stipulated. They suggest natural cough solutions instead of using these sorts of products.

 They suggest keeping the room humidified. We grew up with humidifiers in our bedrooms going at night to keep the room moist. Clear the child’s nasal passages the best you can, and plenty of clear sugar free fluids. No cure for the common cold exists.

 Health Canada has also made it quite clear that prior use of these medications is nothing to be alarmed over or to become in a panic state, that side effects only occur while the child or children are using these medications.

 Please keep in mind that herbal medications can still have side effects. You need to speak to a professional herbalist in a herbal store before making any sort of decision to give your children herbal treatments. Many people misunderstand the power of the herbal plants, that they are not as effective as commercial or chemical remedies. This is not factual information, and many people have over dosed and had effects from herbal remedies.

 Plenty of rest, vitamins, fruits and vegetables will bring your child’s immune system up to combat the cold quicker. Preventative measures to use before your child or children receive a cold this coming cold season. Boost the immune system with proper foods and proper amount of sleep and rest.

 For more information on the Government of Canada’s decision on this matter, you can review their site. I thought to write this article because not many parents might know on this change and important information. Had I not gone to the doctor’s this week, I might not have known.