AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Expert: Nigel Simmons Date: 3/14/2008 Subject: trileptal and cold medicines
Question My 7 year old is taking Trileptal. He has a runny nose and a sore throat. Can he take a cold medicine? If so what can he take?
Thank You for Your Help
Answer Stephanie
While there are no specific contra-indications between Trileptal and ingredients in common cold remedies, there is always a small possibility that a problem may occur and this could interfere with the efficacy of the anticonvulsant.
My personal preference would be to avoid cough and cold remedies containing active drugs, and stick with products which give relief of symptoms without any direct pharmacological action. So for the sore throat, I would recommend a simple linctus (there is a Simple Linctus in the UK, and it may be available elsewhere). If Simple Linctus is not available, then your pharmacist should be able to suggest a soothing non-drug product. In addition, I always recommend a small quantity of menthol with/out Eucalyptus or half a teaspoon of vapour rub (Vick or equivalent) in a bowl of hot, not boiling water. Place this safely near your childs bed when they go to sleep and let the vapour fill the room. This will stimulate deeper breathing and ease coughing. If your child is happy to do so, then vapour rub applied to the chest will also aid daytime breathing.
Other options are steam inhalations or simply a hot bath so that the air inhaled is moist and soothes the airway and throat. At 7, a child can be encouraged to drink regularly, so a sip of water or low sugar juice every half an hour or so will stop them becoming too dry.
Vapour products will help with the runny nose, but it would be best to avoid anything that claims to dry up a cold. While it may be uncomfortable, regular blowing of the nose will help, and if the nose or lip becomes sore then a moisturising cream will help.
Regular acetaminophen will help keep any temperature under control.
Typically a simple cold takes 3 days to develop, 3 days suffering and 3 days to recover, so anything beyond this may need a review by a doctor. Obviously children can deteriorate quickly, so seek help if it is worrying or if the condition changes suddenly.
Finlly, while it may seem obvious, remember that colds are common and ultimately good for developing immunity. Providing your child or you don't become stressed, then recovery should be smooth. However anxiety can risk a fit occurring, so as they say "stay cool".
