Cough syrups, learn to read the labels!

A few weeks ago we held one of our small Mommy Blogger meet ups. The team from Prospan joined us and we had a really informative discussion around cough medicine and the safe use of it. It was very interesting and I, personally learnt a lot.

We use Prospan when my kids have coughs, I really like the fact it is made from natural products. I have always been hesitant to immediately turn to a cough mixture, my kids have often had negative reactions to the ones we have tried, particularly the ones the Dr’s asked to be mixed up.

Safe and effective cough syrups

If mothers, and other individuals, can take control of the medication they’re taking, they can avoid serious risks, says Venter. She recommends asking pharmacists or doctors for the safest possible option, with minimal side-effects.

“It’s not necessary to compromise on effectiveness – there are suitable cough therapies on the market. By asking the right questions and reading the package insert, you can find a cough treatment with the smallest side effect profile, that’ll still help to ease a nasty cough and a tight chest. A good question to ask is: does this product have clinical trials to substantiate claims regarding safety and efficacy? If no data exists, ask for a clinically proven cough treatment that does.”

Learn to read labels

Look out for these key ingredients in common cough syrups, read through the patient information leaflets for every product, and be aware of possible side effects.

Action	Ingredient	Side effects
Bronchodilator (Opens airways)	Theophylline Etofyllin Salbutamol Orciprenaline Terbutaline	Palpitations, nausea, insomnia and headache
Mucolytic (Thins mucus)	Carbocysteine Sorbimacrogol Bromhexine	Gastric irritation Stomach ulcers
Suppressant (Suppresses the cough reflex)	Pholcodine Codeine phosphate Dextromethorphan Diphenhydramine Noscapine Pentoxyverine	Drowsiness, constipation, respiratory depression and habit forming
Antihistamine (Dries mucus )	Diphenylpyraline Diphenhydramine Promethazine Chlorpheniramine Doxylamine succinate	Drowsiness, sedation, blurred vision, urinary retention and constipation
Decongestant (Dries mucus and reduces swelling)	Phenylephrine Ephedrine Pseudoephedrine	Central nervous system stimulation, sleeplessness

Did you know you can get Prospan in an effervescent form? I had no idea!!

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