A. Carbofed DM is a popular prescription strength cough and cold medicine that includes an antihistamine, decongestant, and cough suppressant. It is used to treat children with colds or allergies who are sneezing, coughing, and/or have a runny nose and congestion.
Other names (or brands) of this medicine may include Andehist DM, Cydec DM, Rondec DM, and Sildec DM.
It is available in a syrup form and as infant drops for younger children.
Common side effects can include difficulty sleeping, dizziness, drowsiness, dry eyes, mild diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, stomach upset, and tiredness. More serious side effects are less common, but can include agitation, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, rash, severe vomiting, or swelling of a child's face, tongue, throat, hands, or feet.
As with other prescription strength cold medicines and over-the-counter cold medicines, Carbofed DM won't make your child with a cold virus get better any faster. Instead, if it works, it will just help him to feel better until he gets over his infection on his own. So you have to weigh the risk of side effects versus the benefit he gets from the medicine.
So if his cough and runny nose is interfering with his sleep or is making him uncomfortable, then a cold medicine like this can be helpful. If you give it too your child and it makes him worse, like with increased irritability or trouble sleeping, then you likely shouldn't use it anymore and should talk to your Pediatrician about an alternative.
