Is It Safe To Give Cetrizine For Cold And Cough In Children?

Brief Answer:
Cough can take 3-4 week to resolve completely

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for asking again

In the present condition(when baby is suffering from cough and blocked nose) I would prefer to give T-minic(as it contains both chlorpheniramine an antiallergic and phenylephrine a decongestant) instead of cetrizine(an antiallergic).

Cetrizine or chlorpheniramine does not causes mucus clot or chest congestion,so you need not to worry for that.

Giving Ambrodil-S(not pain ambrodil) along with nasal saline drop will also help in relieving cough.Ambrodil -S contains both ambroxol (mucolytic)and salbutamol(bronchodilator, to relieve spasm).In children it has been seen that the cough can be due to some airway spasm.

The children of preschool age and school age are very susceptible to viral infection.Upper respiratory tract illness up to 10 times a year is common in this age group.Unless there are signs of bacterial infection like persistence of fever more than 5 days,breathing difficulty,poor oral acceptance or poor activity; antibiotic is not needed.Viral respiratory infection is a contagious disease and it spreads through the air droplets.That is the reason you all are suffering from the same illness.

Once get infected the cough may persist for 2-3 weeks, sometimes up to 4 weeks.Only conservative management like T-minic,Ambrodil S,nasal saline drop and steam inhalation is sufficient to relief the symptoms.

I won't get worried as there was symptom free interval of one week between these two illnesses and there are no symptoms suggestive of bacterial infection or involvement of lower respiratory tract.

I hope this helps.

Please do write back to me if you have any query.

Wish you and your family speedy recovery.
With warm regards

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Brief Answer:
I don't recommend dextromethrorphan for cough

Detailed Answer:
I can understand your concern.The parents get anxious due to severity of cough.
But if there is no breathing difficulty or excessive/uncontrollable cough,it is better to avoid these medication.
There are many formulations available in XXXXXXX but as per guidelines Dextromethorphan should not be given in infants and preschool chidren.
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant and small children can not cough out sputum and thus causes accumulation of secretion in the lungs.
Although symptomatically dextromethorphan works faster and relieves the cough,but I don't recommend it in small children.
Ascoril D contains dextromethorphan,triprolidine(antiallergic like chorpheniramine),,phenylephrine(same decongestant as in T minic).
Cetrizine is also an antiallergic.

You can give Otrinoz Pediatric drop for nasal blockage one-two drop in each nostril preferably at night time.Avoid too frequent or prolonged use as this may cause rebound congestion.

So I would not recommend for Ascoril D(for faster relief)but better avoid this,be patience and monitor the baby.It usually takes 7-10 days for complete relief.
Giving semisolid diet and breast feed will take care of her nutrition.

I shall be glad to answer if you have any more query.
Regards

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Brief Answer:
It's my pleasure to help you

Detailed Answer:
I am really glad to know that you found my suggestions helpful.
I shall be happy to help you on healthcaremagic platform whenever you have any doubt.

I won't get worried if you have given single dose of Ascoril D.Its not always that the child's symptoms get worsened with dextromethorphan and that is the reason it is getting prescribed inadvertently.But yes there is always a possibility so better to avoid it.

I would like to give
1)Syp T-minic 5 ml three times a day.
2)Syrup Ambrodil 5 ml three times a day.(If cough is severe better give Ambrodil-S)
3)Steam inhalation three times a day.
4)Nasal saline drop 1-2 drops in each nostril 4-5 times a day.
5)Otrinoz Pediatric nasal drop 1-2 drops in each nostril at bed time.
6)Continue giving semisolid foods with breast feeds.

I hope with all these she will be fine.
Regards

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Brief Answer:
No need of Cetrizine

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again

Syrup T-minic itself contains chlorpheniramine which is an antihistaminic(antiallergic).Cetrizine too is an antihistaminic.
Giving two formulation with same ingredient is of no use.
So I won't recommend Cetrizine along with T-minic.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
Dose is as per weight

Detailed Answer:
You are right.
The medicines should be used in children depending on weight rather than age.
The average weight of 13 month old child is about 10 kg.
Ambroxol is a very safe drug with minimal side effects.The dose of Ambroxol is 1.5-2 mg/kg.So for your baby it will be somewhere about 5 ml(30 mg).

Regards

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Brief Answer:
You can give cetrizine once along with Tminic

Detailed Answer:
There is no problem in giving cetrizine once at night before going to bed.
If cough remains severe you can give Ascoril-D (cough suppressant) also once in the night instead of ambrodil.

I hope she should recover within next 3-4 days.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
There is no need of antibiotic in viral infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Most likely you all are suffering from a viral infection(flu).It is very contagious in nature.

Viral infection does not need any antibiotic.

I would like to guide you about the symptoms of bacterial sore throat like Pain in throat,painful swallowing,high grade fever,enlarged red tonsil,pain abdomen,vomiting and enlarged nodes in neck.

In the presence of these symptoms and positive ASO(Antistreptolysin O titre) titre or strep antigen test, antibiotic treatment is needed.
Most of the time viral cough,cold relieves with conservative treatment only.

You had also get her evaluated by a pediatrician and he also did not prescribe any antibiotic.
So I would suggest you to avoid unnecessary use of antibiotic if there is no breathing difficulty,persistent fever or if cough is improving.

Once a family member develops any symptom of cough/cold, he or she should use face mask whenever there are chances of close proximity with the child.There is not any other specific precaution need to be taken.

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Brief Answer:
Any vaccination is not 100% protective

Detailed Answer:
The influenza virus has a very specific nature of changing it's strain rapidly.
This is the reason flu vaccination provides immunity for one year only and one need to be vaccinated every year(in the pre winter season).
Another thing is there are so many strains of flu viruses in community and vaccination is available only against the dreaded strains.So it is not that if you have vaccinated for flu,you are fully protected against any kind of viral cough/cold.
Every year the companies bring vaccination against a specific strain of flu virus that is more prevalent in that particular season.

There are always if and buts in the medical field(regarding all that mask and vaccination ).By wearing mask at least you will protect her from direct contact and by vaccination you can protect yourself & your family against life threatening flu infection to a extent.

Regards

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