PARENTS CONNECTION
Ask the Pediatrician

What meds are in your pantry?
A trip to the local pharmacy for over-the-counter meds can tricky and somewhat overwhelming. With all the medications available over the counter, how do you know what to buy?

Dr. Jesse Groh, a pediatrician with Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates - Gulfton, helps sort through the medicine madness. Here’s what you should have on hand and how to use it.

What over the counter medications should every parent have?
Parents should always have a pain reliever/fever reducer at home. These come in the form of either acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). Either can help your kids feel better after bumps, scrapes, muscle fatigue or minor injuries. In addition to relieving pain, these also reduce fever. They are generally safe, but you should always contact your doctor before giving medicine to an infant. Additionally, ibuprofen should never be given to a child who may be dehydrated, as it could cause kidney damage. Never give a child aspirin.
 

Jesse Groh, M.D. Dr. Jesse Groh joined the Gulfton office in July of 2009. He recently became a new dad and says that this experience has helped him better understand parents' struggles and stress. In his limited free time, he loves to cook and is experimenting with home-made baby food recipes. He also enjoys photography—and his new subject keeps him busy. At the office, Dr. Groh likes speaking Spanish with his patients and co-workers.

An antihistamine, like Benadryl, is also good to have on hand. Antihistamines can be helpful in relieving allergy symptoms like itchy, watery eyes or a runny nose, as well as controlling minor allergic reactions to food or insect bites.

Parents should be aware that children can react differently to antihistamines—some get very drowsy while others become irritable or restless. You may want to experiment with dosing times to see how your child responds. And remember, antihistamines should not be used to treat colds.

Hydrocortisone cream (1%) is another medication that should be on hand at home. It can help relieve mild rashes, eczema and bug bites. It can be applied once or twice a day, but you should talk to your doctor before using it on infants or for a prolonged period of time.

Triple antibiotic creams (like Neosporin) are also good for minor cuts and scrapes. Make sure wounds are rinsed thoroughly and then cleaned with soap and water before applying.
 

What about cough and cold medicines?
Generally speaking, Dr. Groh does not recommend giving over-the-counter cough and cold medications. When a child has a wet cough, it is important not to suppress it. However, there are some home remedies that can help with cold symptom relief.

Saline nasal drops or sprays can relieve a stuffy nose and will benefit children of all ages. You can purchase these at the drug store, or make your own with 1 cup of warm water and ½ teaspoon salt. Remember, if you use a suction bulb or dropper, do not share it between children.

A humidifier can also help relieve coughs and colds. If you don’t have a humidifier, have your child stand in the bathroom with the hot water running. Breathing the warm mist will help alleviate the cough.

Honey can also subdue a cough and soothe a sore throat in children over 1.

Do you have any words of caution about administering over-the-counter medications?
Yes. Parents should exercise caution when giving any medication. When your child is sick, it’s a good idea to keep a written record of what you have given him and when. Here are a couple of other tips to avoid problems:

• Read ingredients carefully. Many medications are “combination,” meaning that they have more than one type of medicine or “active ingredient” in them. This is especially true for cough and cold medicines—many of which contain acetaminophen. Parents should read the ingredients very carefully and make sure they don’t inadvertently overdose their child with the same medicine.

• Check dosage charts and labels. Many medicines may look the same, but they are not. For example, acetaminophen infant drops look just like the kids’ liquid, but in fact, they are stronger and more concentrated. Before giving a medication, check the dosage chart carefully. To help avoid confusion, do not share medications between children of different ages. Also, ask your pediatrician for a dosing handout and read the labels carefully to make sure you translate it correctly.

What should I do if I think I’ve given my child an overdose?
Call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222. Make sure you have the medicine available by the phone when you call.

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