Coughs can flatten your breath in children

Cough suppressants with codeine should be examined in more detail

04/12/2014

Cough products for children, if they are to quench the cough, contain the drug codeine. Just that drug substance in children may mean that the breathing leveled off or even ceased altogether. In order to be able to estimate the risk, health authorities from Germany and the EU have started an investigation. There have already been some deaths that cause action.

Risk should be reduced
The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has launched a study on the risks and side effects of cough medicine with codeine. The drug control agency wants to use the study to achieve that side effects and health risks „such funds for children“, such a spokesman for the authority.

Specifically, a panel of medical experts was set up at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to investigate the cough suppressants. The new method also includes codeine-containing medicines for the treatment of colds. However, these are not allowed in Germany, unlike some other European countries. Already in the last year painkillers for children with codeine were severely limited.

Poisoning by ultra fast conversion to morphine
The drug is converted in the body by an endogenous enzyme to morphine. Some patients, the so-called „ultra-fast metabolizer“ tend to convert the codeine very quickly to morphine. As a result, an opioid poisoning. „Previously, several fatal or life-threatening cases of respiratory depression (flattening or diminution of respiration) in children had become known.“

Only after careful consideration prescribe
For this reason, the authority advises physicians to prescribe kidney products with codeine only very briefly and only after careful risk assessment in the lowest dose. In addition, parents should be clearly indicated on the side effects of the remedy so that they can act quickly in an emergency. Because breathing slows down, parents are urged to notify a doctor by emergency call very quickly, as life-threatening conditions threaten. In general, codein should only be given in consultation with a pediatrician.

Alternatives to codeine
In natural medicine so-called cough suppressants are not used because they prevent natural coughing as a defense of the immune system. Here are more home remedies for cough used. Especially for cough, herbal medicine offers good and compatible aid, the evidence of which has meanwhile found recognition in guidelines of scientific committees. Very effective are extracts of thyme herb and ivy leaves or an extract of thyme herb and primrose roots. Both are now considered scientifically proven. (Sb)

Image: Benjamin Klack