Benadryl online. Best prices from TOP pharmacies.

In the setting of the cough and cold medication debate rests another: Whether parents should attempt to sedate their children with over-the-counter cough and cold medications before travel. Most experts contacted suggested countering the common misperception that the practice is acceptable and safe, and said to instead offer safer, age-appropriate alternative strategies.
Another pediatrician interviewed for this article suggested a trial run to check a child’s reaction to Benadryl (diphenhydramine HCl, McNeil Consumer Healthcare) if a parent insists on using it.

Related Results

Generic BenadrylBenadryl findingBenadryl an option?Benadryl found ineffective as infant sleep aidStudy of Benadryl use in kids offers surprise

“For the most part, parents do not want to give medicine to their children,” Dr. Stephen Turner said. But the most common agent used for its sedative effects is Benadryl, which also can prevent motion sickness.
“It is safe in pregnancy, so there is no reason to think it would not be safe in children. I think it is reasonable to use for a child older than 6 months for plane or long car trips, although I often suggest a ‘trial run’ as it may have the opposite effect and make children hyper,” said Dr. Turner, chief of the department of pediatrics at Long Island College Hospital in New York.
“Any other medicines are not indicated,” Dr. Turner said. “I am sure that the American Academy of Pediatrics would advise against using medicine for sedation for this reason. Their policy statement on cough suppressants is that they have never been shown to be effective in children.”
Others take more of a zero-tolerance position toward off-label sedation.
“Pediatricians are the advocates of children and should speak against a convenience-driven chemical silencing of the children,” Dr. Philippe Similon said in an interview.
“They must also educate the parents on the unexpected ‘paradoxical’ and harmful effects of antihistamines. Not uncommonly, parents do consider sedation of their young children prior to long airplane flights. Most of them, however, follow the advice of their pediatrician,” said Dr. Similon, a pediatrician in private practice in New York.
“The job of the pediatrician is to be responsive when the parent brings it up,” said Dr. Ellen Perrin, professor of pediatrics and chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston.
Like Dr. Similon, Dr. Perrin advocates that parents never sedate their children. “The medications have some side effects that can be problematic. For example, Benadryl will make the majority of children settle down or get sleepy. But it will make some others hyperactive. And combination products that contain an antihistamine can cause dry mouth and other effects.”
Dextromethorphan and pseudoephedrine are some active ingredients in children’s cough medicines associated with a higher risk of side effects. Parents’ administering too much, in some cases unknowingly combining different products with the same ingredients, has led to reports of morbidity and mortality with use of certain over-the-counter cough and cold remedies.
The Food and Drug Administration issued an advisory in August 2007 that parents should not use these medications in children under 2 years of age unless expressly told to do so by a physician*
Dr. Perrin suggested that parents employ age-appropriate strategies before travel to try to affect behavior. “First, inform children what is expected of them in a plane or car where they must sit constrained in a seatbelt. Also, provide incentives for the children.” Parents often know what type of rewards will work best for a particular child.
“As a general rule, rewards are more effective than punishment,” Dr. Turner said. “Parents also need to have reasonable expectations for what a child can handle.”
With young children, “the big issue is getting them to sit still,” Dr. Perrin said.
“For example, during takeoff and landing children, should know there are some activities they can and cannot do. They cannot run around but they can read a book or draw.”
Dr. Turner said, “Try distracting the child if possible with toys, games, a DVD, etc.”
A child should be well rested and well fed before a long trip, Dr. Similon said. “A favorite comfort object, a favorite book, or some favorite music can have a welcome calming effect.”
“Of course, young children do not always listen to reason and are occasionally subject to uncontrollable tantrums,” Dr. Similon said. The first priority for parents in this situation should always be safety, such as ensuring that seatbelts remain properly fastened, he said.
Tolerance from the other passengers and from the flight personnel should be the norm, he added.
“Parents who feel they are not able to deal calmly and comfortably with the tantrums of their young child may benefit from parenting classes,” Dr. Similon commented.
A behavioral consult might be warranted if the standard behavior management techniques parents can learn do not work, Dr. Perrin said.