Bengaluru: Following reports of child deaths linked to cough syrups in various parts of India, paediatricians in Bengaluru are taking extra precautions when prescribing medicines for cough and cold in younger children. Parents are also reportedly cautious, while doctors warn against self-medicating children or purchasing over-the-counter (OTC) medicines without proper prescriptions.
Doctors emphasise caution with cough medications
Dr Yogesh Kumar Gupta, consultant paediatrician at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, said, “We have always avoided prescribing certain medications to children under two years of age and never suggested cough syrup to babies under one year. After recent incidents, we are being extra careful even for cases that might require medication. We ensure that prescribed medicines are from standard companies and advise parents to buy them only from reputable pharmacies.”
Dr Gupta added that many parents are now apprehensive when a cough medication is prescribed. “Just recently, I had to explain to a parent about the salts in the cough syrup and why they are necessary,” he said.
Dr Parimala V Thirumalesh, senior consultant in neonatology and paediatrics at Aster CMI Hospital, said that doctors are careful not to prescribe cough suppressants—typically used for dry coughs—unless absolutely necessary. She highlighted that among the two cough syrups recently banned in several states including Karnataka, one was a suppressant. “For kids, I usually prescribe syrups that soothe the throat or help bring out phlegm. What might cause problems are cough suppressants. A cough is an immune response of the body to clear irritants from the airway and should not be suppressed,” she said.
Dangers of self-medication
Dr Parimala also warned parents against self-medication. “I recently saw a case where parents bought OTC cough drops for their baby, who then developed complications and died,” she said.
With concerns rising, paediatricians are increasingly recommending home remedies and non-pharmacological interventions for managing cough and cold among children, especially during the ongoing flu season.
Alternative treatments and advice for parents
Dr Akram Syed, paediatrician at Apollo Clinic, Koramangala, said, “If necessary, and if there is a bacterial infection, we prescribe only one medication to children aged 2–5 years instead of a cocktail of syrups or combination medicines. Otherwise, we advise parents to try home remedies such as honey with warm water, hot showers, and steam inhalation.”
Doctors also stressed that parents should strictly follow the prescribed dosage, as it is calculated based on the child’s weight, age, and physical condition. They cautioned that deviation from the recommended dosage could lead to severe side effects or complications.