So what cold and flu meds are safe for kids?

“It’s important to remember that medicines don’t cure colds and flu, they only deal with the symptoms,” says Dragich. But there are things you can do to give your child some relief:

1. Stuffy nose: Saline solution and suction devices help relieve congestion and can be used from birth.

2. Sore throat: Children over age three can suck on throat lozenges to help soothe a sore throat and suppress a dry cough. Since there is a choking risk with any hard candy, Dragich recommends buying lozenges on a stick.

3. Cough and chest congestion: Some parents find that Vicks Vaporub can be soothing and the baby formulation can be used in infants as young as three months. There have been recent studies that show Vicks may increase mucus production but, when used as recommended, it is safe. “Use a small amount if your child has never used Vicks Vaporub before,” says Dragich. Vicks can be used on the chest, soles of the feet (therapeutic from a reflexology perspective), and even on clothing.  “Just never use it on or near the nose where there is a risk of inhaling it,” he says.

4. Aches, chills and fever: When it comes to treating aches and fever, both acetaminophen (aka Tylenol or Tempra) or ibuprofen (aka Advil or Motrin) are safe for children. They both treat aches, pain and fever, but ibuprophen is also an anti-inflammatory. “Because they are different medications, they can be used together when a fever is particularly difficult to break,” says Dragich. If you have any doubt as to dosage, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Meet our expert:

Mark Dragich is a pharmacist and owner of a Richmond Hill-based Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacy.

 

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