Cough syrups a waste of money, water is better for night time coughs

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 06 Jul 2004 - 10:00 PDT

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According to a new study, expensive cough syrups are a complete waste of money. They are not as good as a glass of water if you want to relieve your child's night time coughing. You can read about this study in the journal Pediatrics.

According to Dr. Ian Paul, Asst. Pediatrics Professor, Penn State Childreln's Hospital, USA, team leader "Consumers spend billions of dollars each year on over-the-counter medications for cough……but our study showed that the two ingredients used in most over-the-counter medications were no better than a placebo, non-medicated syrup, in providing nighttime relief for children with cough and sleep difficulty as a result of upper-respiratory infection."

THE TWO INGREDIENTS FOUND MANY COUGH SYRUPS ARE:

--- Dextromethorphan ---

Dextromethorphan is an expectorant. This means is clears the respiratory tract of phlegm, making breathing easier (and reducing coughing). Dextromethorphan is found in about 95% of cough syrups.

--- Diphenhydramine ---

Diphenhydramine is an anti-histamine. It reduces swelling in the respiratory tract. Many cough mixtures contain Diphenhydramine.

The researchers monitored 100 children who had upper respiratory tract infections. All the children had been coughing for more than 3 days.

Thirty minutes before they went to bed at night the children were given one of three different medications:

One group of children was given Diphenhydramine, another group had Diphenhydramine and the other group had a placebo syrup (sugar and water).

All the children improved as a result of taking their 'medication'. However THOSE ON THE FLAVOURED WATER, THE PLACEBO SYRUP, HAD THE BEST RESULTS!!!!

Dr. Ian Paul said that proper intake of fluids is the factor here. The best treatment for coughs (at night) is proper hydration. He suggested that the cough syrups helped the kids because of the placebo effect. He was not surprised that the water with sugar gave the best results.

This must be a new one - THE PLACEBO IS THE MEDICINE AND THE MEDICINE HAS THE PLACEBO EFFECT.

Dr. Paul said that the desire to ease symptoms in children is strong both for parents and health professionals. He questions, though, whether OTC medications have a place in the treatment of these illnesses for children.

For years doctors have been saying that cough syrups offer little help in comparison to what is already available in the home.