Effect of Honey and Dextromethorphan on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2006-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Cough is the most common reason for an acute care doctor's visit in the United States. Cough
can affect sleep for both coughing children and their parents. The American Academy of
Pediatrics does not endorse the use of dextromethorphan (DM), the most common
over-the-counter (OTC) cough medication because of a lack of efficacy data and some potential
for toxicity, particularly when taken in excess. In fact, DM has previously been shown to be
no better than a placebo for cough in children. Therefore, alternative, therapeutic agents
are needed. Honey anecdotally provides relief for symptoms due to upper respiratory tract
infection (URI). This study seeks to use a survey to evaluate whether a single dose of honey
and/or DM is better than no treatment at all for controlling nocturnal cough in children with
URI and the effect of the treatments on sleep quality for coughing children and their
parents. A single dose of honey or DM will be superior to no treatment for control of
nocturnal cough due to upper URI as rated by both parents and children and will improve the
sleep quality for those children and parents. Compared to DM, honey will be superior for
controlling nocturnal cough due to upper URI (also based on child and parental report).