We’re in 2026 and nobody has invented a cough medicine that works for children?!

[elm26]

I’m just going to vent here because I’m on what feels like day 728283 of no sleep.

3yo DD has this awful virus that’s been going around, our whole house has had it at some point or another for the last 7 weeks on and off. Headaches, snotty noses, coughing.

DH, DS (1yo) and myself seem to have shook it off the last couple of weeks.

DD is on week 6 of coughing her little lungs up especially at night. I took her to GP last week, said it was viral and lungs are clear.

Tonight, she’s had some junior Bronchostop but threw it up almost immediately after a coughing fit a couple of minutes after taking it. GP recommended a small amount of liquid piriton to dry up the nasal area and stop any dripping down her throat. Does nothing.

Why has there not been a cough medicine with actual active ingredients in it (like our night nurse for example) that works for children? I remember being given medised as a kid with a bad cough, yeah okay it made me drowsy but at least I slept and that allowed my body to recover quicker.

Is it genuinely because people abuse this and would use it to make their kids sleep “just because” etc? If so why hasn’t a non drowsy proper cough medicine been made? It seems so bizarre to me that we are in 2026 and we’re still told Vicks on soles of feet, chest, back (personally has done nothing for mine), vapour plug ins sort the stuffy noses but make them cough more, honey (for over 1’s) in warm water with a bit of lemon only soothes the throat I’ve ever found? Doesn’t stop the cough.

Genuinely don’t know what to do, I feel so sorry for her she’s exhausted and I’m thankful it’s half term and has been peeing down as it’s given me an excuse to stay indoors in my slobby “I look like I haven’t slept in 10 years” clothes, no make up, hair on top of my head and do painting, play doh, puzzles, reading books and other low energy activities with them.

@LathkillDalethe only thing that gets rid of my post nasal drip is a crushed clove of raw garlic, first thing in the morning with a big glass of water chaser. You can feel the airways drying out.

it can take up to a fortnight, not everyone lies the smell of garlic but it really is effective.

Inhaling steam with a little menthol can help enormously when coughs just won’t go away. Worth a try before bedtime.

it is a cough - it will pass

Honey and lemon and paracetamol is the best cough medicine IMO.

Benylin Children’s Night cough is the best, but only for age 6+. It doesn’t stop the cough it just makes them drowsy/sleep better. Last time I bought it the chemist asked me how old “the little one” was. She was 13 😂 and still appreciates it when she has a cough.

Yes, Benylin original and children’s night cough has the active knock you out ingredient in.

Sure it’s not recommended for younger children but to me sleeping is more effective a healer than spending all night coughing,

No-one needs cough medicine, do hot water and honey, with lemon if they like it, steam in the bathroom, and get outside in the day for plenty of fresh air

I think you’re misunderstanding my point.

I never suggested Ventolin treats the viral infection itself.
and I don’t think OP was looking for that either.

Viral respiratory infections can trigger bronchial hyperreactivity and bronchospasm in children, even without a diagnosis of asthma. Ventolin (Salbutamol) is a short-acting beta-2 agonist that relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, reducing airway narrowing and the associated cough.

The point is that it can therefore provide rapid symptomatic relief, particularly from nocturnal coughing, allowing a child to sleep.

It’s also incorrect to suggest that Ventolin suppresses the cough reflex and causes mucus retention.

It’s a bronchodilator, not an antitussive.

My children were prescribed it for precisely this reason, and I specifically said it should only be used when prescribed.

I understood your post. Nice job setting @Yetanotherone12 straight 👍🏻