Expectorant for Children

Updated on October 13, 2016
B.J. asks from Washington, DC
7 answers

Hi! Whenever my 5 year-old gets a cold, he needs help of an expectorant (guaifenesin) for the first few days or else he always ends up with major complications. This has been a significant issue since he was 2. The expectorant has been extremely helpful and works so well. Since we end up using it quite a bit during cold season, I am trying to find out if there is any guaifenesin product that doesn't add any artificial additives. I'm worried about the frequent use of a medicine that has artificial sugar, flavors, and colors. Thanks!!

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M.G.

answers from Portland on

I'd ask my pharmacist. They would be able to tell you.

3 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Your doctor or pharmacist can help you with this.
Robitussin or Mucinex are what we use.

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M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

If you can teach him to swallow a caplet (mucinex has them), those are likely to have less sugar/flavoring as compared with the liquid forms.

3 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

What does your doctor recommend? I would go with that.
I would assume a bit of exposure to trace chemicals is by FAR less damaging than major breathing complications, no?

2 moms found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Dallas on

I don't think it will hurt him. Ask your doctor if you are unsure.

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J.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Thank you for your question, B.. Just as a reminder per Mamapedia Guidelines:
Medical questions may be asked, HOWEVER, please know that the first and best source for the answers to all such questions will alway be an appropriate certified professional. Please always consult such a professional in these matters first and foremost. Simply put, Mamapedia does not offer medical advice to our members. Any medical advice you receive on the site is taken at your own risk.
-Moderator

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N.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

There isn't enough of those things in the otc med to bother anyone. I have horrible reactions to artificial sweeteners. I get migraines so bad I can't hold my head up. I don't have a single side effect from Walmart brand Tussin. It's about $.88 per bottle, compared to Musinex..same size bottle and exact same ingredients for $12 and up.

If you are really having to dose him enough that the inert ingredients are putting him at risk then I'd like to suggest that you get a prescription med/expectorant and also add a breathing treatment administered by use of a home nebulizer.

The nebulizer med has sterile water in it to help the Albuterol or Xophenex turn into mist. The sterile water also helps the goo in the lungs to be moister and easier to get up and out.

Combined with Tussin the use of the nebulizer should keep him lungs open and the goo runny enough he can cough it up and out and not need to over medicate with the Tussin alone.

1 mom found this helpful
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