Are Decongestants Dangerous for Children?

Dosage Issues

• Possible problems can occur when parents administer cold medicines containing decongestants to children, especially children under age 4. The dosage guidelines printed on over-the-counter medications use adult data, not data specific to children, according to the website of Gateway Pediatrics, a pediatric clinic located in Chandler, Arizona. Because the dosage information does not pertain specifically to children, recommended dosages may be too much medicine, which could result in an overdose, or too little medicine, which could be ineffective for relieving symptoms.

Questions of Effectiveness

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not advised against decongestant use for children over age 4, as long as parents follow dosage recommendations. However, some debate exists about the effectiveness of decongestants, based on clinical trials, state physicians Madeline Simasek and David A. Blandino, with the American Academy of Family Physicians. A single-dose decongestant had some benefits for adolescents and adults, but efficacy with children under 12 has not outweighed potential risks.

Potential Risks

• A decongestant narrows blood vessels inside the nose to make it easier to breathe, advises FamilyDoctor.org. Side effects include dizziness, nervousness and sleep disruptions. Some people also experience heart palpitations. Babies and toddlers may experience convulsions, lowered levels of consciousness, irritability, hallucinations and irregular heartbeat, states the Children̵7;s Hospital Colorado website.

Administering Decongestants Safely

• When you want to administer a decongestant to a child over age 4, pay close attention to the medication ingredients and dosage, warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Some medications combine more than one active ingredient, and you could accidentally administer too much medication if you don̵7;t read labels carefully. Follow dosage instructions precisely for your child̵7;s weight and age, using the measuring cup included with the product. Always keep medicines inaccessible so a child does not self-administer the product.

Safer Alternatives

• Instead of using a decongestant, use saline nose drops or spray to reduce nasal congestion, advises the FDA. Use a nasal aspirator to suction out a baby̵7;s nose. Place a cool-mist humidifier in your child̵7;s bedroom to make a child more comfortable. Increase your child̵7;s fluid intake to reduce congestion as well.