A 5-year-old boy has had a clear runny nose and a dry night cough for four days. He is afebrile and eating nor…

Question

A 5-year-old boy has had a clear runny nose and a dry night cough for four days. He is afebrile and eating normally, and his chest, throat and ears are normal. For three nights his mother has given a supermarket children's cough and cold syrup containing a decongestant and an antihistamine, without benefit. She asks for something stronger because nobody in the house is sleeping. Which one of the following is the most appropriate advice for her?

Accepted Answer

Stop the syrup and use no cough or cold medicine

Answer

Add a bedtime dose of a sedating antihistamine

Answer

Continue the syrup but at a reduced dose

Answer

Give a single-ingredient dextromethorphan preparation instead

Answer

Use an intranasal decongestant spray for three nights

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