Cough syrups can ease discomfort in children by soothing sore throats and suppressing irritant coughs, but experts warn of serious risks especially in children under five ranging from side effects and overdose to toxic contamination and misuse.
Glimpse:
For mild coughs, cough syrups may offer symptomatic relief, particularly for older children. However, many coughs in young children are viral and resolve on their own. Risks increase significantly with age-inappropriate dosing, toxic adulterants like diethylene glycol, and formulations with sedatives or multiple drug combinations. Regulatory advisories are increasingly cautioning against unsupervised use, especially for kids under two, and urging doctors and parents to prioritize safety.
Cough syrups are often a go-to remedy when children have a cough, but new evidence is raising safety concerns, especially for very young children.
Symptom relief:
Some syrups help soothe throat irritation or suppress dry coughs, improving comfort and sleep. Ingredients like dextromethorphan (for dry coughs) or mucolytics (to loosen phlegm) may offer short-term relief.
Supportive care:
When used alongside rest, hydration, warm fluids, and humid air, syrups can provide added comfort while the body recovers naturally.
Contamination risks:
Certain syrups have been found contaminated with toxic substances like diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which can damage the kidneys and have caused child deaths in India.
Age-related dangers:
Children under 2 years are most at risk. Experts strongly advise against using cough syrups in this age group, and caution is urged even for children under 5.
Side effects:
Possible effects include drowsiness, breathing problems, irregular heart rate, restlessness, and in severe cases, seizures especially when multiple ingredients are involved.
Questionable efficacy:
Most childhood coughs are viral and resolve without medication. The relief provided by syrups is often mild or short-lived.
Misuse and overdose:
Using incorrect doses, overlapping medications, or household spoons instead of proper measuring tools can lead to overdose and serious side effects.
“A cough is often the body’s way of clearing irritants or infection. Before silencing it with a syrup, we must make sure the medicine is safe, age-appropriate, and truly needed.”
By
HB Team
