October 8, 2008 Doctors warn against giving cold medicine to children Play video

(Josh Brogadir, NECN) - This is not a sniffly, sneezy day at the park for 19 month old Nicco Claus or his dad Jean-Michel.

They're here from Ethiopia visiting family in Newton and both brought colds with them to the U.S. Jean-Michel and his wife kicked theirs with medication; the little guy, only with lots of fluids and rest.

"(We were) pretty uncomfortable to actually give medicines to ourselves and feel better and not give any to him, but it was definitely a recommendation we heard about," Claus said.

That recommendation came from a pediatrician.

Doctors have already been encouraging parents not to give cough and cold meds to their two and three year olds for a couple of years.

What's new is that drug companies are now getting on board, as well.

Of concern is that while most doctors say there are no clear benefits to the cold syrups, the side effects can include fast heart rate, hives, tremors, and even seizures.

Marc Grella is a pediatrician at Mass General Hospital for Children.

He hopes that when drug companies stop marketing the medications for kids under age four, parents will take note.

"Today I saw three children under four years old who told me they were taking either Robitussin, Triaminic, or Tylenol Cold. And so in a lot of ways parents just aren't getting the message," Grella said. "Because the packaging still has liquid medicines with pictures of children on it and a lot of people haven't realized

One of his patients is Jackson Bartlett, of Winchester who came for his 18 month old check-up.

"To move it to a different section of the store away from the sort of accepted medicines would make things easier for parents," said his mother, Annie Bartlett.

Drug companies say parents will be able to see changes on these bottles right away.

The instructions will be changed for the upcoming flu season.

Dr. Grella aso added that all children should get flu shots this fall.

He says nasal spray vaccines are for kids two years and older and flu injections are for kids six months and older.

He added that the flu has a much higher risk of causing hospitalization than any cough or cold.