It depends on:
Children under six
If your child is under six, you should not give them any over-the-counter cough or cold medicines. There is no evidence these medicines work and they can cause side effects, such as allergic reactions and problems with sleeping.
Children aged six and older
If your child is six or older, you can give them paracetamol or ibuprofen as long as:
- you think they really need it – for example, you may want to try other remedies first, such as a warm drink of lemon and honey
- they are not taking any other medicine that contains paracetamol or ibuprofen
Check the patient information leaflet, label or packaging for the cough and cold medicine to make sure that it does not contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, to avoid giving your child too much medicine by mistake. If you’re not sure about this, get advice from your GP or pharmacist.
If you give any medicine to your child, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that he or she doesn’t have more than the maximum dose. Don’t give your child more than one cough or cold medicine at the same time, in case they contain the same active ingredient.
Medicines that reduce coughing (suppressants) are not recommended for some conditions, such as bronchitis. Coughing helps to clear mucus from your child’s lungs. If you stop or reduce their cough, some mucus may remain, which can be harmful.
Children aged 6-12 should not be given an over-the-counter cough or cold medicine for more than 5 days.
Don’t use aspirin
Never give aspirin to children under 16, unless it’s specifically prescribed by a doctor. It has been linked with a rare, but dangerous, illness called Reye's syndrome.
Children’s coughs and colds
Coughs and colds usually get better by themselves. Make sure your child has plenty to drink and gets enough rest. See the Babies and toddlers guide for advice on children’s coughs, colds and other common childhood illnesses, and how to ease your child’s symptoms.
Read the answers to more questions about medicines.
Further information:
Your health, your choices