Avoid recommending cough suppressants or expectorants to children* with cough or breathing difficulties

Rationale:

Coughing and mucus production can be early signs of respiratory or pulmonary illness, but cough is also a normal defense mechanism. Expectorants and cough suppressants offer little to no therapeutic benefit. They may cause side effects — some of them serious — and increase the risk of overdose when combined with other medications.

*Children are defined here as ages 0–12 years. 

Reference:

• Gjør kloke valg-anbefaling fra Norsk barnelegeforening, tilgjengelig fra: https://www.legeforeningen.no/kloke-valg/anbefalinger/fagmedisinske-anbefalinger/norsk-barnelegeforening/unnga-hostedempende-eller-slimlosende-medisiner-til-barn-med-hoste-eller-pustebesvar/