Pharmacist

Decongestants

Decongestant Nasal Spray

We normally recommend starting with this. They work great and quicker than any other decongestant. The only problem is that you must not use it for more than 3 days. After 4 days, it will start causing nasal congestion. 

Choose the one with oxymetazoline for a 12-hour relief. Decongestant nasal sprays containing phenylephrine has to be used every 4 hours.

Pseudoephedrine

You should ask for this at the pharmacy counter. A valid government issued ID is required. It is available in liquid and tablet form. If choosing the tablet formulation, go with the regular acting tablets (little red pills). Stay away from the 12 or 24-hour tablets for your child. These are better suited for allergy rather than cold symptoms.

2 Things:

1. Do not use decongestants containing phenylephrine available on the cold and flu aisle. Go to the pharmacy counter and ask for pseudoephedrine. The ones at the aisle do not work. Don't waste your money. If you are in a hurry or the pharmacy is not open, go with the decongestant nasal spray for now. Come back later and get the pseudoephedrine formulation.

2. Do not use both the decongestant nasal spray and pseudoephedrine at the same time. We recommend starting with the nasal spray, after 3 days, if the congestion is still there, switch to the pseudoephedrine liquid or tablet formulation.

Now, you can use a saline nasal spray with pseudoephedrine for a much better and quicker effect.

Antihistamine

Saline Nasal Spray

Before giving the child an antihistamine, we strongly recommend using a saline nasal spray. Use this  4 times a day or more as needed to clear the nasal passages.

Antihistamine

Diphenhydramine is the antihistamine of choice when it comes to flu symptoms.

You will use this at bedtime to keep night time sniffles and cough in check.

Most multi-symptom cold and flu medicines contain an antihistamine. Be sure to compare them using our child cold and flu medication comparison tool. There is a lot there to make it easy for you to choose what will work best for your child.

Pain / Fever reducer

Body aches, fever, muscle aches, headaches are common with the flu. Which pain or fever reducing medicine should you choose? Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen?​

Mainly Fever and Headache?

The first choice will be acetaminophen. But choose ibuprofen or naproxen if it is mainly fever with body aches. Acetaminophen is better for headaches.

More of Body Aches / Muscle Pain?

The first choice, in this case, will be ibuprofen or naproxen. 

Know that you can also use acetaminophen. If you have acetaminophen at home, you should not go to the store looking for ibuprofen. This information is for when you are at the store and trying to decide what type to buy.

Cough Relief

Honey    

Look for Buckwheat honey. This honey has been proven to suppress a nighttime cough in children better than over-the-counter cough syrups.  The stickiness and viscosity help soothe the throat and suppress the coughing reflex. Give 1 and 1/2 teaspoonful at bedtime. This should give you and the child some sleep.

Over-The-Counter Medications

Dextromethorphan
This is a cough suppressant useful for dry coughs. The cough of flu origin is usually dry. If this is the case, look for a cough syrup with dextromethorphan.

Guaifenesin
This is an expectorant. It helps break up dried and sticky mucus that lines the respiratory path. You will add this to the regimen if the child is experiencing chest congestion. Be sure the child drinks lots of water. Medicine require drinking water to work.

Stomach Relief

Diarrhea? 

The goal is to prevent dehydration. Must have the child drink something. Start with sips, and gradually increase as the child can tolerate. Don't slack on making the child drink fluid.

Vomiting?

If more than 3 times, call the pediatrician's office. They can always call in an anti-vomiting medicine to your pharmacy for the child. Usually ondansetron. It is important you call because you don't know when this vomiting  would stop.

Meanwhile or if you don't think it is serious, you need to have child drink fluid. Don't go to the pharmacy looking for anti-nausea medicine. They won't work here. Use this time to call the pediatrician and continue with child sipping fluid as much as possible.

Multi-Symptoms

Use the comparison section of this app to compare Children's  Multi-Symptom flu medications.

Worth doing

Fluid intake

Have the child drink as much fluid as possible. Need to keep the energy level up. Start with plain water, if tired of this, try ice pops or blend the child's favorite fruit with ice in a blender and have the child take sips.

Ask for Tamiflu Prescription

If the child was diagnosed with the flu, make sure you ask the health care provider for preventive Tamiflu prescription for the rest of the family. I have seen members of families go to the urgent care 3 days in a row because one member of the family had the flu and the others had not developed it yet. Save on co-pay and time.

Flu Shots 

Definitely. Gone are the days when you put this off. No more excuses. The pediatricians' offices are good at scheduling this. If not with the pediatrician,  your child can get it at most retail clinics at your convenience.