Can my child take OTC medicines along with their asthma meds?
The answer depends on the ingredients.
When your child comes down with a cold or allergies, you may wonder whether over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are safe to use with their regular asthma treatments. The answer depends on the ingredients.
Some common OTC products can interfere with asthma control: Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine may increase heart rate and worsen breathing.
On the other hand, other drugstore medicines are usually safe when used correctly. Unmedicated saline sprays or rinses can ease congestion without interacting with asthma medications.
Antihistamines such as loratadine and cetirizine are often used for allergies and are generally safe for children with asthma, though dosing by age is important. Ask your Provider for guidance on which ones are right for your child.
Medications Your Way
As always, check labels carefully. Many multi- symptom cold medicines contain multiple active ingredients, increasing the risk of side effects or drug interactions. Instead of reaching for combination products, choose single- ingredient medicines targeted to your child’s particular symptom.
