Q: My month old baby has been suffering from cold and cough, along with high fever since long. Among the medicines prescribed are Azee and Ambrodil Plus, the latter to be taken 1 ml thrice daily. The bottle of Ambrodil Plus does not mention anything about its use in children. Hence my concern is how safe is Ambrodil Plus for children?

A:Cold and cough is nearly always due to viruses. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections. They are effective against bacetrial infections only. Hence Azee (that contains azithromycin) is of not of much use apart from causing side effects (including loose motions and cramps). Ambrodil plus contains may medicines including phenylpropanolamine (PPA) which is banned in all advanced countries. Moreover cold and cough remedies are not safe in children below 2 years and are contraindicated (not legally permitted) in the entire western, advanced countries due to the possibility of precipitating respiratory depression. The patient needs an antipyretic such as paracetamol and cold sponging if the fever does not come down.