what is the best cough meds to give a 3 yr old?

Question

3 days ago i took two of my kids to the er with high fevers. no vomiting ot diarheaa . the dr told me they had the flu, and prescribed both of my kids narcotics, hydrocodone and guafinesin, they werent even coughing. then yesterday my 3 yr old started coughing, so we reluctantly gave him the meds the dr prescribed, it did not help at all, that kid was wired for sound. i just want to know about a med that is not a suppressant and that does not have dextromathorphin

Answer 1

There are two types of cough syrups, suppressants and expectorants. expectorants are thought to liquefy sputum so that it is easy to bring up and spit out or swallowed (children can only swallow because they don't know how to spit out, but it doesn't matter as main purpose of bringing it out from respiratory tract is achieved). If cough is dry and distressing we can give cough suppressants which are narcotic derivative, they should never be given if cough is producing sputum. Cough expectorants are not of much use ( there is not enough evidence that are significantly benificial). so it depends the type of cough your kids are having. General measures which you can adapt are to keep the room a little humidified. You can put some water in a container on stove and turn on the stove at very low heat so that a little steam keeps on forming. Avoid cold drinks etc. As it is flue (viral disease), it will go by itself.

Answer 2

try a pharmacist in the local drug store and find out what over the counter meds can do with the kids and your worries about the type of reaction you described. no reason to use anything for symptons your kids don't have.
i don't like tea but when i'm sick, there are some good useful teas for soothing coughs and congestion and quieting the body for better sleep.
chamomile with lemon and a sweetener(not honey for the very young) for expl. don't use narcotics for little ones.

remember the chicken broth is always good for colds and other illness

Answer 3

Add some honey in a glass of lukewarm water with two slices of lemon. That soothes the throat to provide temporary relief from coughing.