| Cold medicine | |
|---|---|
 Cough medicine often contains cough suppressants and expectorants. | |
| Other names | Cough and cold medicine, cough syrup, lin, lean |
Cold medicines are a group of medications taken individually or in combination as a treatment for the symptoms of the common cold and similar conditions of the upper respiratory tract. The term encompasses a broad array of drugs, including analgesics, antihistamines and decongestants, among many others. It also includes drugs which are marketed as cough suppressants or antitussives, but their effectiveness in reducing cough symptoms is unclear or minimal.[1][2][3]
While they have been used by 10% of American children in any given week, they are not recommended in Canada or the United States in children six years or younger because of lack of evidence showing effect and concerns of harm.[4][5]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Cochrane2014was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Malesker, MA; Callahan-Lyon, P; Ireland, B; Irwin, RS; CHEST Expert Cough, Panel. (November 2017). "Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment for Acute Cough Associated With the Common Cold: CHEST Expert Panel Report". Chest. 152 (5): 1021–1037. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2017.08.009. PMC 6026258. PMID 28837801.
- ^ Speich, B; Thomer, A; Aghlmandi, S; Ewald, H; Zeller, A; Hemkens, LG (October 2018). "Treatments for subacute cough in primary care: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomised clinical trials". The British Journal of General Practice. 68 (675): e694–e702. doi:10.3399/bjgp18X698885. PMC 6145999. PMID 30201828.
- ^ Shefrin and Goldman; Goldman, RD (November 2009). "Use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children". Canadian Family Physician. 55 (11): 1081–1083. PMC 2776795. PMID 19910592.
- ^ "FDA panel: No cold medicines to children under 6". CNN. Washington. Retrieved 27 November 2009.