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Is Promethazine Syrup Safe For An Infant?

Posted on Fri, 29 Apr 2016

Question: Hi
My baby 1.5 yrs has cough (coughs 5-10 time) and there is a change in voice coz of cough. doctor prescribed promethazine syrup i.p(2.5ml thrice for 3days) . In net it was told not to use for infants below 2yrs and it has adverse effect. Worried whether i should give as per doc. Please suggest

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is not licensed to be used in kids less than 2 years

Detailed Answer:
Hi... Greetings from XXXXXXX

You are right and the information you have got from the Internet is right. Promethazine syrup is not licensed to be used in kids less than 2 years of age.

A kid of one and half years coughing 5 to 10 times per day is not to be worried about.

You need not worry about cough unless the kid is having respiratory distress or fast breathing or inability to feed or a very high grade temperature of more than 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cough and cold are viral 95% of the times in children.

I do not suggest any cough suppressant at this age.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (10 hours later)

Thanks doc for your response but looks like her cough is very congestion and there is change in her voice too. What syrup would you suggest? Should i avoid promethazine syrup i.p? Any home remedies i can try? When we met doc ,he checked her n gave this promethazine syrup i.p . What can be the reason for this syrup?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I suggest Levosalbutamol syrup

Detailed Answer:
Hi....coming to your queries -

1. I suggest Syrup Levolin (Levosalbutamol) 2.5ml thyuce a day for 3 days as you say there is chest congestion and congestion could be wheezing.

2. Avoid Promethazine.

3. I am not comfortable with home remedies for chest congestion.

4. Promethazine is and potent cough suppressant and it causes drowsiness also. But its safetry has not been established at this age group.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (8 hours later)

How is XXXXXXX jr syrup doctor?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It's just a cough suppressant

Detailed Answer:
Hi...it is just a cough suppressant.... chest congestion might not be relieved by it.

Usually chest congestion requires anti wheezing medication.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar