An increasing number of reports about injuries and deaths from over-the-counter medicine has raised awareness that these OTC products can be dangerous.
Many more over-the-counter medicines can be helpful, though—as long as you use them at the correct dosages and at the proper times.
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Pain and Fever
Pain and fever reducers are perhaps some of the more useful over-the-counter medicines. These includeTylenol(acetaminophen) and Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen).
Medicines containing salicylates, including aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), should not be given to children or teens because of the risk ofReye syndrome. Parents should also avoid medicines containing bismuth subsalicylate, such as Kaopectate and adult formulations of Pepto-Bismol. Pepto Kids, the pediatric formulation of Pepto-Bismol, contains calcium carbonate rather than bismuth subsalicylate.
Colds and Coughs
A large variety of cold and cough medicines are available for kids, but remember that the FDA warns that they should not be used for infants and toddlers under 2 years of age. Most manufacturers have gone even further and have stopped marketing them to children under age four and some experts wonder if they are even useful for older kids.
Major brands of over-the-counter cold and cough medicines for older children include:
For Babies
Itching
Anti-itch creams and lotions are essential over-the-counter medicines to have in your medicine cabinet if your kids spend any time outside, as they will likely often have insect bites, poison ivy, and other itchy rashes.
In addition to oral Benadryl (diphenhydramine), some good choices to treatitchinginclude:
Rashes
In addition to anti-itch creams, lotions, and moisturizers, other over-the-counter medicines for rashes you may want to have include:
Constipation
Preventing constipation with a healthy diet that is high in fiber is best for children, but when they do getconstipated, these medicines are often helpful:
Stomach Issues
Since the causes of stomachaches are sometimes difficult to sort out, it usually best to see your pediatrician before giving your child an over-the-counter treatment on your own though.
Allergies
Like cold and cough medicines, parents often turn to over-the-counter allergy medicines to treat their children’s allergy symptoms. This is even more common now that Claritin, Zyrtec, and Flonase are available over the counter.
Other Conditions
Some other over-the-counter medicines that can be useful include:
What to Avoid
Medicines that you should likely avoid altogether include:
Confused about all of the over-the-counter medicines you see on pharmacy shelves these days?
Be sure to talk to your pediatrician about which medicines they recommend you use and which you should avoid, either because they don’t work, cause too many side effects, or are just plain dangerous.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt depends on the age. Children under the age of 12 should not be given Pepto-Bismol. Children over the age of 12 can take Pepto-Bismol.Children from ages 2 to 12 can take Pepto Kids, an upset stomach medicine that contains calcium carbonate instead of bismuth subsalicylate.Children over the age of 2 can be given cough medicine to treat a cough. Babies and toddlers under the age of 2 should take cough medicine.Children’s cough medicines can contain different medications, such as dextromethorphan and guaifenesin, that help to calm a cough and ease congestion.If you have any questions, check with your child’s pediatrician.Over-the-counter anti-itch lotions, creams, and ointment can be applied to bug bites, poison ivy, and other itchy rashes. These include hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, colloidal oatmeal cream or lotion, and topical Benadryl itch relief gel or spray.You can also give your child Benadryl (diphenhydramine) orally to stop itching.If your child has an itchy rash of unclear origin or does not resolve with over-the-counter treatments, call the pediatrician.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the age. Children under the age of 12 should not be given Pepto-Bismol. Children over the age of 12 can take Pepto-Bismol.Children from ages 2 to 12 can take Pepto Kids, an upset stomach medicine that contains calcium carbonate instead of bismuth subsalicylate.
It depends on the age. Children under the age of 12 should not be given Pepto-Bismol. Children over the age of 12 can take Pepto-Bismol.
Children from ages 2 to 12 can take Pepto Kids, an upset stomach medicine that contains calcium carbonate instead of bismuth subsalicylate.
Children over the age of 2 can be given cough medicine to treat a cough. Babies and toddlers under the age of 2 should take cough medicine.Children’s cough medicines can contain different medications, such as dextromethorphan and guaifenesin, that help to calm a cough and ease congestion.If you have any questions, check with your child’s pediatrician.
Children over the age of 2 can be given cough medicine to treat a cough. Babies and toddlers under the age of 2 should take cough medicine.
Children’s cough medicines can contain different medications, such as dextromethorphan and guaifenesin, that help to calm a cough and ease congestion.
If you have any questions, check with your child’s pediatrician.
Over-the-counter anti-itch lotions, creams, and ointment can be applied to bug bites, poison ivy, and other itchy rashes. These include hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, colloidal oatmeal cream or lotion, and topical Benadryl itch relief gel or spray.You can also give your child Benadryl (diphenhydramine) orally to stop itching.If your child has an itchy rash of unclear origin or does not resolve with over-the-counter treatments, call the pediatrician.
Over-the-counter anti-itch lotions, creams, and ointment can be applied to bug bites, poison ivy, and other itchy rashes. These include hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, colloidal oatmeal cream or lotion, and topical Benadryl itch relief gel or spray.
You can also give your child Benadryl (diphenhydramine) orally to stop itching.
If your child has an itchy rash of unclear origin or does not resolve with over-the-counter treatments, call the pediatrician.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Reye syndrome.Food and Drug Administration.Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds?.Food and Drug Administration.FDA warns against the use of homeopathic teething tablets and gels.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Reye syndrome.Food and Drug Administration.Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds?.Food and Drug Administration.FDA warns against the use of homeopathic teething tablets and gels.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine.Reye syndrome.Food and Drug Administration.Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds?.Food and Drug Administration.FDA warns against the use of homeopathic teething tablets and gels.
National Library of Medicine.Reye syndrome.
Food and Drug Administration.Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds?.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA warns against the use of homeopathic teething tablets and gels.
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