These medicines are suitable for children

Stiftung Warentest offers an overview of the suitable over-the-counter remedies for children

03/28/2014

Since the immune system in children is not yet fully mature, they suffer relatively often from mild illnesses, against which parents often resort to over-the-counter medicines. However, the react „Children are more sensitive to drugs than adults“ and „many medicines can even harm small patients“, reports the Stiftung Warentest. In order to provide security for the parents, the foundation has an overview of the „80 best and cheapest prescription drugs for common childhood diseases such as cough, runny nose, sore throat, earache, diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence“ compiled.

Based on the drug evaluations of Stiftung Warentest, the appropriate over-the-counter medicines were selected for the most common complaints in children. The Foundation also provides information on the use of the medication in its current article and explains it, „which general measures help sick children and which warning signs require a visit by a doctor.“ In addition, it is expressly pointed out which free-to-market medicines, which are increasingly used by adults, are not suitable for children.

Some over-the-counter medicines can harm children
„Many medications can harm small patients, including the classic acetylsalicylic acid, short ASS, first marketed as aspirin“, reports the Stiftung Warentest. Also common combination preparations such as Grippostad C, Thomapyrin or Wick Medinait and Daymed are not approved for small patients. Before over-the-counter medicines are used in children, parents should therefore urgently inform themselves whether they are even suitable for the little ones. It should also be noted that „Vegetable not automatically harmless“ means the message of Stiftung Warentest. For example, essential oils such as camphor, menthol, cineole, peppermint or eucalyptus oil can trigger life-threatening respiratory distress in babies and larger children with asthma. Corresponding ingredients are in „Wick VapoRub, Bronchoforton ointment, Pinimenthol cold balm, bath and inhalant“ to find. Basically, parents should only use suitable drugs for children, study the leaflet carefully and pay attention to the correct dosage, so the conclusion of the Foundation.

Home remedies instead of medicines?
The list of Stiftung Warentest provides a relatively comprehensive overview of the appropriate over-the-counter medicines for children, although here, too, one or the other drug raises the question of whether an operation is even necessary. Often, the symptoms heal even without medication and otherwise relatively simple home remedies can support the healing (see home remedies for colds, home remedies for cough, home remedies for earaches). However, it should also be noted with regard to home remedies that isolated measures are rather unsuitable for children. For example, during inhalation there is a risk that small children scald themselves on the hot water and the use of essential oils is rather critical to evaluate or to avoid in case of doubt. (Fp)