OTC: Back-to-School Health

As children head back into classrooms, cafeterias, and locker rooms this season, they return to close quarters with the germs and allergens that come with them. Pharmacists are often the first point of contact for parents navigating the return-to-school medicine cabinet, whether the question is which fever reducer to reach for after a rough first week, how to manage a flare-up of seasonal allergies at drop-off, or what to give a child with a lingering cough that will not let them rest. The following 3 OTC picks address those common back-to-school complaints for parents and caregivers.

Best for Fast, Long-Lasting Fever and Pain Relief

Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension
Active Ingredient: ibuprofen, 100 mg per 5 mL
Manufacturer: Kenvue Brands LLC

Children’s Motrin is marketed as the first pediatrician-recommended brand of ibuprofen. The oral suspension temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to the common cold, flu, sore throat, headache, and toothache, and temporarily reduces fever, making it a fit for the aches and low-grade fevers that can crop up once school starts. It is available in berry, bubble gum, and grape flavors.

• Relief that works fast and lasts up to 8 hours, per the manufacturer.
• Labeled for children aged 2 to 11 years, with dosing that varies by weight and age; for children younger than 2 years or less than 24 lb, consult a doctor before use.
• Also available as a dye-free liquid suspension and as chewable tablets; the liquid is FSA/HSA eligible.

Best for Nondrowsy, Once-Daily Allergy Relief

Children's Claritin Chewables 24 Hour
Active Ingredient: loratadine, 5 mg (antihistamine)
Manufacturer: Bayer HealthCare LLC

Children's Claritin Chewables are positioned as the number 1 pediatrician-recommended, nondrowsy oral OTC allergy brand. The chewable tablets temporarily relieve sneezing, runny nose, itching of the nose or throat, and itchy, watery eyes, symptoms that can flare when seasonal allergens greet kids on the walk to the bus stop. The tablets are dye-free, sugar-free, and alcohol-free and come in grape and bubblegum flavors.

• Nondrowsy relief that the manufacturer states lasts a full 24 hours.
• Labeled for children 2 years and older: children 6 years and older chew 2 tablets once daily (not to exceed 2 tablets in 24 hours); children 2 years to under 6 years chew 1 tablet once daily (not to exceed 1 tablet in 24 hours); for children younger than 2 years, consult a doctor.
• Tablets must be chewed, not swallowed whole, and contain phenylalanine; store between 68 °F and 77 °F (20 °C and 25 °C).

Best for Cough and Congestion Around the Clock

Children's Mucinex Cough & Congestion Liquid
Active Ingredients: dextromethorphan HBr, 5 mg (cough suppressant); guaifenesin, 100 mg (expectorant); phenylephrine HCl, 2.5 mg (nasal decongestant), per 5 mL
Manufacturer: Reckitt

This 3-in-1 liquid combines a cough suppressant, an expectorant, and a nasal decongestant to address the cluster of symptoms that often show up when a cold makes its way through a classroom. It temporarily relieves chest congestion, cough, nasal congestion, sinus congestion, and runny nose, and the manufacturer markets it for day or night use. It comes in a “very berry” flavor.

• Pediatrician recommended and HSA/FSA eligible, per the manufacturer.
• Labeled for children aged 4 years and older; not recommended for children under 4 years.
• Children aged 6 to 12 years: 10 mL every 4 hours; children aged 4 to 6 years: 5 mL every 4 hours; do not exceed 6 doses in 24 hours; use only the dosing cup provided with the product.

READ MORE: OTC Resource Center