Almost every winter evening in my clinic, a parent asks me the same question: “Doctor, which syrup will stop this cough?” My honest answer often surprises them. For most children, the best medicine for a cough is time, fluids and rest, not a bottle from the chemist. And for young children, cough syrups can do more harm than good.
Quick answer: India’s Directorate General of Health Services advises that cough and cold medicines should not be given to children under 2 years and are generally not recommended under 5. Most coughs from colds settle on their own in 2 to 3 weeks. Give syrups to older children only when a doctor prescribes them.
Why this matters right now
In late 2025, several children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan died after taking cough syrups. The World Health Organization issued an alert after specific batches of three syrups made in India were found to contain diethylene glycol, an industrial chemical that damages the kidneys. Soon after, the Directorate General of Health Services sent an advisory to all states on careful use of cough syrups in children. It reminds us that most coughs in children get better without medicine, and that fluids, rest and supportive care should come first.
What a cough actually does
A cough is the body’s way of clearing mucus and germs from the airways. Most winter coughs come from viral colds, which antibiotics cannot treat either, as I explain in my article on when antibiotics help. Suppressing a useful cough rarely helps a child get better faster.
The problems with cough syrups in children
- Little proof of benefit: they don’t make the illness shorter.
- Side effects: young children can become very drowsy, irritable, or develop a fast heartbeat.
- Combination products: many syrups mix three or four medicines. If your child is also getting paracetamol separately, an accidental overdose is easy.
- Quality risks: as the recent tragedy showed, a poorly made product can be dangerous.
What you can do at home
- Offer plenty of fluids: breast milk, water, soups or warm drinks (not too hot).
- Use saline (salt water) nose drops and gentle suction for a blocked nose in babies, especially before feeds and sleep.
- For children over 1 year, a teaspoon of honey in warm water may soothe the throat. The NHS warns never to give honey to babies under 1.
- Keep your home free of smoke, incense and mosquito coils, and let your child rest.
- Use paracetamol for fever or discomfort only at the dose for your child’s weight.
- Never reuse an old syrup, share a sibling’s medicine, or buy one without a prescription.
When to seek care
See your pediatrician if a cough lasts more than 3 weeks, keeps getting worse, or your baby is under 3 months. Go to a doctor urgently if your child is breathing fast or with effort, the skin between the ribs pulls in, the lips look bluish, there is a high fever with a very sick look, or a barking cough with noisy breathing, which may be croup. Fast breathing with fever can be a sign of pneumonia. If your child has been given a syrup and then vomits, becomes very drowsy or passes much less urine, seek medical help straight away. If you’re unsure, you can book a visit with me and we can look at it together.
Key takeaways
- No cough and cold medicines for children under 2, and generally none under 5.
- Most coughs settle with fluids, rest and time.
- Honey only after the first birthday.
- Breathing difficulty is a reason to see a doctor, not to try another syrup.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can a child be given cough syrup?
India’s health ministry advises that cough and cold medicines should not be given to children under 2 years, and are generally not recommended under 5 years. For older children, use one only if a doctor has examined your child and prescribed it, at the right dose and for the shortest time.
What is the best home remedy for a child’s cough?
For most coughs from a cold, plenty of fluids, rest, saline nose drops for a blocked nose and a warm, clean, smoke-free home are enough. For children over 1 year, a teaspoon of honey in warm water can soothe the throat. Never give honey to babies under 1 year.
How long does a cough from a cold last in children?
A cough after a cold often lasts 2 to 3 weeks and usually settles on its own. See a doctor if it lasts more than 3 weeks, keeps getting worse, or comes with breathing difficulty or high fever.
Why are combination cough syrups risky for children?
Many syrups mix three or four medicines, such as an antihistamine, a decongestant and paracetamol. This makes accidental overdose easier, especially if a child is already getting paracetamol separately, and young children are more sensitive to side effects like drowsiness or a racing heart.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Please see your pediatrician for advice about your child.
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