Types and differences of cold medications

There are many different types of cold medications available. It is important to note that many experts contend there is no proof that these drugs work in children. Parents are urged to consult with a physician about whether cold medications should be given to a child, and whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks of side effects.

The major types of cold medications include:

• Antihistamines. These drugs are known to relieve a runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing in patients with allergies. Experts consider antihistamines to be ineffective for treating colds. However, they are often marketed as part of cold medications or sold in combination with decongestants. Antihistamines are known to cause side effects in some children, including nightmares, unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness and irritability.
  
  
• Decongestants. Drugs that help relieve stuffiness associated with colds or allergies. These drugs temporarily shrink the blood vessels in the lining of the nose, reducing swelling of nasal tissues and improving breathing. In children, oral decongestants may cause hyperactivity, anxiousness, racing heart or insomnia. They may also cause a “rebound” effect in which the medication becomes less effective and symptoms return in a worse form than when they began. They may also cause blood pressure increases in children. Decongestants should not be used in infants, who may absorb too much of the drug through their nasal membranes.
  
  
• Combination medications. Some cold medications combine a decongestant with an antihistamine. This can cause side effects such as hyperactivity, insomnia and irritability. Other medications combine other ingredients, such as the pain relievers. It is crucial for parents to avoid giving their children too much of certain kinds of medications. Thus, children who are taking a certain pain reliever to control a fever should never take a cold medication that also contains the same pain reliever, because this can lead to a dangerous overdose.
  
  
• Cough syrups. There are two kinds of cough medications. Expectorants help loosen mucus, whereas suppressants prevent the patient’s cough reflex from activating. Experts generally advise against giving suppressants to children, because coughing can help clear the lungs. It is especially important not to give children cough syrups that contain codeine.

Colds are caused by viral infections. As a result, they do not respond to antibiotics, which are used to treat bacterial infections. Studies have found no evidence to support the role of the herb echinacea or vitamin C supplements in treating a child’s cold. In addition, aspirin should not be used to treat a child’s cold. Use of aspirin in children has been associated with Reye syndrome, a rare but extremely serious condition that affects all organs of the body and that can be fatal. The danger is most common in children who take aspirin when they have a viral infection, such as the flu or chickenpox. Symptoms of Reye (pronounced “rye”) syndrome include nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, lethargy and behavioral changes (such as increased belligerence).