Q: Why don’t medications help coughs?
When your child has a cough, it’s important to try to allow the body to heal itself without interference, according to Mark Gettleman, M.D., of Great Destinations Pediatrics in Peoria. Here’s his guide to over-the-counter meds and precisely why they do not work:
Dexomethorphan and codeine
These medications affect the brain by stopping the cough reflex. If they truly worked — and most studies say they don’t — they would prevent this protective cough and allow the mucus to settle in the lungs, which would cause pneumonia. One of the side effects of codeine is respiratory depression — and the last thing you want when children are experiencing a respiratory illness is to further inhibit their breathing! So don’t use them. [This view also was recently expressed by The American College of Chest Physicians.] Expectorants, such as guaifenesin, also have been shown not to work.
Pseudoephedrine
This drug is a decongestant, which is meant to stop the secretions at the nose so that no post-nasal drip occurs and therefore no cough. But it is a form of adrenaline and may keep your child from sleeping.
Antihistimines (diphenhydramine, brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine)
These drugs may induce drowsiness, but also work to dry up secretions. They do not work well on colds by themselves. But, coupled with decongestants, they may encourage sleep, which may have a positive effect on your child. They are usually packaged as “Cold and Allergy” medications. All brands—Dimetapp, Triaminic and Pediacare—are basically the same.
