Clayton Said:

Does anyone still give your child cough medicine?

We Answered:

The reason cough medicines are out of favour, is new research has shown that supressing a cough (which is what most popular cough medicines do) can cause chest infections. Coughing clears the lungs and airways and when a cough is surpressed the body can't clear muccous and an infection can develop.
If you can feel something on your chest but when you cough you can't seem to "cough it up", ask your Dr or pharmicist about an "Expectorant" cough syrup. This is not a "suppressent", it thins the muccous and allows it to be "brought up" when you cough, thus clearing the chest.
My youngest son (3 at the time) had a persistent cough all through winter and we were treating it with a reliever and a preventer puffer, with limited success. When we were on holidays during summer this time and he developed the cough again. The pharmacist we spoke to told us to try "demazin" as he felt his cough was being caused by "nasal drip", which is muccous running down the back of the throat from the nose (probably caused by getting cold after swimming perhaps?). This can cause sore thoats AND coughing. The "demazin" dries the muccous from the nose, stopping the drip. WELL, WHAT A MIRACLE!! This off-hand advice changed my son's life! This ear, nose and throat problem was causing his coughing NOT an asthma problem as the Doctor had been treating him for. Two years later, we have thrown the puffers away and as he has gotten older he has almost grown out of the Nasal Drip problem.
"Demazin" is a cold and flu medicine which is now not recommended for children under 2 but talk to your Doctor first.
I'm not a Doctor, but trying out this option is worth a try.... good luck!

Sandra Said:

"Should pediatricians be sued for telling people of older children to take cough and cold medicine?

We Answered:

no they shouldn't be sued. the docs went off of the information and data provided to them. the only time EVER it is appropriate to sue a physician is when he or she knowingly screwed up, or the incident causing injury was in their direct control.

Shane Said:

Is it ok to give a 5yr old adult cough medicine in an emergency?

We Answered:

Absolutely not. Children are not little adults, their bodies and systems are very different. And honestly, I haven't found that cough medicine works very well for adults or children. The best thing you can do is tea with honey or let him breath in some steam. Although, the Delsyn brand of cough syrup has a child dose on it. Check the bottle, it may be of help.

And boy, do I hear the frustration in your question and I really feel for you. There is nothing worse than needing something and being trapped and unable to get it.

Phillip Said:

Can I mix Children's Tylenol with cough medicine?

We Answered:

You can give a child tylenol and cough medicine, best take precautions and give it to them half hour to hour apart, although it is always best to check with your Dr first.

Edith Said:

What dosage of children's cold and cough medicine can you give 2 1/2 year old?

We Answered:

I hope that you do not follow the advice of a stranger on the internet with the health of your child.