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Cough Syrup
Doesn't Work on Children
A study published in the July issue of the
American Academy of Pediatrics's official journal, "Pediatrics", suggests
that over-the-counter cough suppressants may be no more useful for calming a
cough in children than simple sugar syrup. The research, performed at
Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, involved
questioning the parents of 100 children with upper respiratory infections.
These
parents were questioned to assess the frequency, severity, and bothersome
nature of the nocturnal cough.
The parents of children
with upper respiratory infections participating in this study were
interviewed on 2 consecutive days. They were questioned initially on the day
of presentation when no medication had been given the previous evening to
access how their child was doing. Then, on the next day, they were
questioned again after either medication or a placebo, (sugar syrup) was
given to the child before bedtime. Sleep quality for both the child and the
parent were then assessed for both nights to see if there was any difference
between the children who got medicine and the ones who only got the placebo
. During this study, neither the physician nor the parents knew who was
taking the cough medication or the placebo.
Two active ingredients in
most cough medicines are dextromethorphan, to clear phlegm, and
diphenhydramine, an antihistamine to reduce swelling in the respiratory
tract. The study suggested, that in children, neither drug made much
difference. Dr. Ian Paul, a professor of pediatrics at Penn State
Children's Hospital and the study's lead author said, "Cough symptoms went
away within a few days, regardless of whether the child was taking medicine
or a placebo." He continued, "Nighttime coughing affects the child and the
parents. Nobody gets any sleep. Even so, parents really need to think twice
before giving these medications that have doubtful positive effects on their
children's symptoms and may have a potential for side effects."
Dr Paul concluded that
doctors should consider these findings, as well as potential side-effects,
and costs of the drugs before recommending cough syrups.
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