It depends on how old your child is. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children age 3 and younger should not be given over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine. This includes decongestants, cough suppressants, and expectorants. For kids age 4 to 5, they recommend these medicines only if advised by your child's doctor. It's safe to give cough and cold medicine to children age 6 and older if you follow the dosage instructions carefully.
However, studies show that these medications don't relieve cold symptoms in kids younger than 12, and tend to make them hyperactive, irritable, or excessively sleepy. Other possible side effects include upset stomach, sleeplessness, and a rash or hives. In very rare cases, children can experience serious problems including a rapid heart rate or convulsions.
Because of these risks and the lack of evidence showing that these medications are effective, some pediatricians advise against giving OTC cold and cough medicines to any child younger than 12, especially if the child has an underlying medical condition.
Pediatricians also worry that parents may accidentally give their child too much acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which are usually found in these medicines. If you give your child a fever reducer in addition to cold and cough medicine, you may inadvertently give her a double dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen, so check product labels carefully before giving any medication to your child.
To ease your preschooler's symptoms, you may want to try a humidifier or another home remedy. You can also ask your child's doctor for suggestions.
If your child is feverish, consider giving her acetaminophen (if she's 3 months or older) or ibuprofen (if she's 6 months or older). Always get your doctor's advice before giving your child any new medicine, and be sure to check the package for the correct dosage.
Never give your child aspirin because it makes her more susceptible to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease.
AAP. 2009. Common over-the-counter medications. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/Pages/Common-Over-the-Counter-Medications.aspx [Accessed November 2017]
AAP. 2015. Coughs and colds: Medicines or home remedies? American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/Coughs-and-Colds-Medicines-or-Home-Remedies.aspx [Accessed November 2017]
FDA. 2016. Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/specialfeatures/ucm263948.htm [Accessed November 2017]
Lowry JA et al. 2015. Over-the-counter medications: Update on cough and cold preparations. Pediatrics in Review 36(7):286-297. http://pedsinreview.aappublications.org/content/36/7/286 [Accessed November 2017]
Sharfstein JM et al. 2007. Over the counter but no longer under the radar – pediatric cough and cold medications. The New England Journal of Medicine 357:2321-2324. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp0707400 [Accessed November 2017]
UpToDate. 2015. The common cold in children: Clinical features and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/the-common-cold-in-children-clinical-features-and-diagnosis. [Accessed November 2017]
UpToDate. 2017. The common cold in children: Management and prevention. [Accessed November 2017]