Should cough medicines be used for children under 2 years old?

More than 40% of parents have used cough medicine for children under 2 years old, although not required or proven effective for children at this age, a first Australian study said.

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A joint study by the University of Melbourne and Royal Children's Hospital surveyed 325 parents about over-the-counter drug use for children aged 0-24 months, in hospital and center outpatient clinics. Child and maternal health care, and child health care centers.

It was the first study in Australia, examining the use of over-the-counter drugs among parents of children of this age group.

Dr. Misel (pronounced Michelle) Trajanovska of Melbourne Nursing University will present data from her research at the 2008 National Drug Symposium in Canberra tomorrow (Friday, 16/16). 5).

She noticed that:

- 98% of parents bought over-the-counter medicines in the past year;

- Paracetamol is the most commonly used drug (95.9%);

- 47.3% of parents give their children a toothpaste;

- Nearly half (42.8%) parents give their children cold and cough medicines containing anti-allergy drugs;

- Most parents use over-the-counter medicines to relieve pain or treat fever;

- About 7% of parents gave their children over-the-counter medication to stimulate sleep;

- Two parents gave their children paracetamol because they were 'irritable'.

Ms. Trajanovska said that the use of cold and cough medicines for children under 2 years of age needs special attention.

She said: 'Internationally, there are reports of serious consequences among babies and children who take over-the-counter cough medicines'.

'There is still a lack of evidence that these drugs are effective for treating cough'.

'The drug administration agency recommends that these drugs should not be used in children under 2 years of age, and from September this year, children under 2 years of age can take these medications as prescribed'.

She said: 'Although over-the-counter drugs are widely used for young children, they do not have risks like side effects or poisoning'.

She said that in Victoria, children aged 0-4 years have the highest rates of intoxication. In emergency departments, 16% of these infections are caused by paracetamol and 11% are caused by cold and cough medicines.

The next phase of Dr. Trajanovska is to study where parents get advice about using over-the-counter drugs.