Piriton for a cough?

[Eminybob]

DS (2) has a horrible cough, he's been throwing up phlegm all day and is generally feeling ropey.
DH said a colleague of his has suggested piriton as when his son had a bad cough the doctor recommended it.
I've done a bit of googling which suggests it might help dry up the phlegm and settle his chest.
Anyone else heard of this before? Does it work? We have some baby piriton left over from when he has chicken pox.

Bump

Yes I always give Piriton for a persistent cough - recommended by GP !

Fab, thank you.
I've never heard of it before. You'd think they'd put it on the box!

I was recommended this once by a health visitor. It definitely helps. I only use it when one of the kids is really bad coughing at night.

Yep hospital pharmacist recommended this.

Yes, always! The best thing ever was Medised which was so good at helping with coughs but it was banned for littlies, am sure there was a good reason but anyway!

Thanks. I've given him a few doses over the last couple of days and it really has done the trick. He is coughing loads less. Still incredibly snotty though!

Its no longer advised and cough medicines for under 6 year olds are also not advised. This is because they can cause heart irregularities and basically the benefits dont outweigh the risks.
It was often prescribed for coughs though and has been known to help