Giving my child medicine to relief his coughing

 

can i give my child (11 1/2 years old) a medicine that supose to help him with his coughing, called rekod (codeine phosphate 20 mg)/ i have it at home

 

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I don't know anything about Rekod, and could not find it online.  Perhaps if I knew the name of the manufacturer it would help, but then again, I still can not say if it is a recommended brand.  I, on the other hand, would only use FDA recommended products.  Additionally, the codeine will cause your child to be sleepy/drowsy and will interfere with normal activities.  Perhaps the article below with highlighted links will guide you in your decision.  

Before You Buy Children's Cold Medicines, What You Need To Know

By Vincent Iannelli, M.D., About.com

Updated: October 31, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

 

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Remember that these medicines will not make your child get better any faster. They should be used only if they are making your child feel more comfortable and are not causing bothersome side effects. If your child is not improving after a few days of being on an over-the-counter medicine or if he is getting worse, you should call your doctor.

 FDA Cold Medicine Warnings The FDA has issued a public health advisory about children's cold medicines saying that "questions have been raised about the safety of these products and whether the benefits justify any potential risks from the use of these products in children, especially in children under 2 years of age."

Keep in mind that according to the FDA, most problems with cold medicines occur when "more than the recommended amount is used, if it is given too often, or if more than one cough and cold medicine containing the same active ingredient are being used."

Introduction to Children's Cold Medicines Expectorants contain guaifenesin, are a common ingredient in cold medicines, and are supposed to help loosen mucus. They have never been proven to be helpful in children and are probably unnecessary. Also avoid using a multi-symptom medicine, unless your child has all of the symptoms that it relieves. Most importantly, follow dosage instructions carefully, don't just estimate what the dose should be.

Common brands of children's cold medicines include:

  • Dimetapp
  • Little Remedies / Little Colds
  • Pediacare
  • Robitussin
  • Sudafed
  • Triaminic
  • Tylenol
  • Vicks
Decongestants Decongestants can help to relieve symptoms of a runny nose or stuffy nose. They include ingredients like phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine. Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) was a decongestant that was removed from the market in 2000, and should be avoided. Although often helpful, decongestants can make some children hyperactive or irritable.
  • Sudafed - Children's Nasal Decongestant Chewables
  • Triaminic Chest (Yellow)
Cough SuppressantsIf your child's cough is interfering with sleep or his daily activities, then as long as he isn't having any trouble breathing, he may benefit from a cough suppressant, such as dextromethorphan (DM). Codeine and hydrocodone are ingredients in prescription cold medicines and may cause drowsiness. Since coughs are often caused by post-nasal drip, you should usually use a decongestant with a cough syrup (see below).
  • Delsym Extended-Release Suspension 12 Hour Cough Relief
  • Robitussin DM
  • Triaminic Long Acting Cough (blue)
AntihistaminesWhile effective for a runny nose that is caused by allergies, it is the side effects of the antihistamines that can make them useful in treating colds, including drowsiness and a dry mouth and nose. They include ingredients such as diphenhydramine, brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, and carbinoxaimine, and are usually found in allergy and 'night time' cold medicines.
  • Dimetapp - Children's Cold & Allergy Liquid
  • Benadryl Allergy Relief
  • Triaminic Night Time Cold & Cough Syrup (purple)
  • Night Time Triaminic Thin Strips Cold & Cough
  • PediaCare NightRest Cough & Cold for Children
  • Dimetapp - Children's Nighttime Flu Syrup
Cough and Cold MedicinesSince most colds are accompanied by a runny nose, post-nasal drip and a cough, 'Cough and Cold' Medicines are usually the most helpful, since they usually include a decongestant and a cough suppressant. Unless they are noted to be non-drowsy, they may also contain an antihistamine.
  • Dimetapp - Children's Cold & Cough Elixir
  • Dimetapp - Children's Decongestant Plus Cough Infant Drops (non-drowsy)
  • Little Colds Decongestant Plus Cough (non-drowsy)
  • PediaCare Decongestant & Cough Drops for Infants (non-drowsy)
  • Robitussin CF Alcohol-Free Cough Syrup (non-drowsy)
  • Triaminic Day Time Cold & Cough (non-drowsy)
  • Triaminic Softchews Cough and Runny Nose
  • Vicks NyQuil - Children's Cold, Cough Relief
  • Vicks Pediatric 44M, Cough & Cold Relief

Sources:

FDA Public Health Advisory. Nonprescription Cough and Cold Medicine Use in Children. August 15, 2007.

 

 

 

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Pediatrics Guide

 


Posted 7 months ago ( permalink )
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Before giving a child anything with codeine in it you should consult your primary care physician. If you give them to much it could result in an overdose. Codiene is an opiat and should be administered with care.

Toxicity from codeine poisoning includes the opioid triad of: pinpoint pupils, depression of respiration, and loss of consciousness. Convulsions may occur.

Again I stress that you should talk to your doctor first.

Good luck and best wishes. 

 


Posted 7 months ago ( permalink )
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I sure wouldn't. If it's codeine it's prescription medication. Unless a doctor told me to give prescription meds to my kid or anybody else, I wouldn't do it. First of all, codeine is no more effective for coughs than dextromethorphan, which is in over the counter cough syrups. Secondly, your child may be allergic or sensitive to codeine and if so at the very least would throw it up. Also, you want to be sure not to subdue his cough response with cough syrup if there is congestion that needs to break up and be coughed out. But most importantly, skip the codeine.


Posted 7 months ago ( permalink )
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a really simple answer...never give a child an opiate medication. the doc who prescribed it needs to go back to med school and should not even be a doc.


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