Dangers of self-medication: Doctors warn against giving cough syrups to children

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Doctors have warned that self-medication using cough syrups for children is becoming increasingly common in Kerala and could be harmful. Many parents, unaware of how a child’s weight, health, and medicine dosage are related, use old prescriptions to buy and give cough syrups. Doctors say this can damage a child’s internal organs. The warning comes in the wake of child deaths in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh after consuming the cough syrup 'Coldrif'.

The Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Kerala (IAP Kerala), has advised parents and healthcare workers to be extremely cautious while giving cough syrups to children.

Fever, cold, and cough are common illnesses up to the age of 12. However, instead of consulting a doctor, parents often buy medicines from pharmacies using old prescriptions. Later, when a younger child falls ill, they give the same syrup in the same amount. For example, if a 20 kg child is prescribed 12 ml of cough syrup, a 12 kg child should get less than 6 ml. Giving extra doses can cause drowsiness, fatigue, vomiting, and other side effects. Some medicines can even lead to dependency with repeated use.

Most coughs in children under two years of age get better on their own without medicine. Regular use of cough syrups in this age group is not safe, said Dr I. Riyaz, President of IAP Kerala.