The pharmacist identified multiple concerns including phenylephrine, sedating antihistamines, dextromethorphan, and unnecessary dyes in the syrup, prompting her to stop recommending it to families.
She warns that multi-symptom blends can cause accidental double-dosing and side effects, especially in young children, and highlights the lack of strong evidence for many ingredients.
The pharmacist advises parents to use single-ingredient treatments, avoid honey for infants, and consult healthcare professionals, emphasizing that regulatory warnings exist for many over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in children.
Is the multi-symptom medicine you give your child doing more harm than good?
A top pediatrician says to throw out children's Benadryl. Should you?
What hidden risks are lurking in your child’s over-the-counter medicine?
Why is an FDA-deemed 'ineffective' drug still sold in kids' medicine?
It's 2026. Why hasn't the FDA removed a drug its panel called useless in 2023?