Do not buy cough syrups over the counter for children: Experts

MANGALURU: A panel of expert doctors strongly objected to parents buying cough syrups for children over the counter. At a ‘People’s Parishad Program’, an interactive forum bringing together parents, NGOs, and healthcare experts to discuss crucial aspects of child health and well-being, parents were advised to take the child to a doctor instead of opting for self-medication.The initiative was held as part of the World Academic Congress of Emergency Medicine (WACEM) India 2025, a five-day multidisciplinary international conference on emergency medicine, in collaboration with Rotary Club Percents Perspectives of Mangalore North, at the AJ Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre on Sunday.Dr Pavan Hegde, HOD, Pediatrics, Father Muller Medical College, noted that a cough is always associated with a symptomatology that occurs because of an underlying problem.

“There are many reasons for a cough, including postnasal drip, infection, whooping cough, asthma, allergies, acid reflux, or pneumonia. We cannot have one treatment for all types of coughs. Hence, without seeing the patient, I cannot prescribe medicine,” he said.Dr Suchetha Rao, HOD, Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, explained the situations when parents should take children to the doctor immediately.

“Take the child to a doctor in case of difficulty in breathing, noisy breathing, blue lips/face, difficulty in breastfeeding, high-grade fever, or a sudden onset of choking cough,” she advised.Dr Sahana KS, HOD, Pediatrics, Yenepoya Medical College, said that sipping warm water, hydration, use of saline drops, and adequate rest will help in the symptomatic relief of coughs. “Cough medicines, at certain times, pediatricians may prescribe not to cure the cough but to allay the discomfort the child undergoes.

Don’t ever buy cough syrups over the counter. Don’t use the medicine which was prescribed previously by the pediatrician,” she added.Dr Seema Pavaman, HOD, Pediatrics, KS Hegde Medical Academy, said cough syrups are indicated when the cough is prolonged, persistent, and disturbing the child’s sleep or feeding. “Not all cough syrups are the same. The formulations of cough syrups differ for dry cough and wet cough.

We classify them as expectorants, antihistamines, decongestants, and bronchodilators,” she said.Dr Prashanth Marla, Medical Director, AJ Hospital & Research Centre, and Dr Santosh Soans, former President of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), spoke. Dr Sinchana Bhat, Consultant Pediatrician and Allergy & Asthma Specialist, moderated the programme.