Rhinathiol Children Syrup

Rhinathiol Children Syrup is an over-the-counter oral syrup manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis, formulated with carbocisteine as its active ingredient at a strength suited to paediatric use. It is supplied as a ready-to-use liquid in a 125ml bottle, sold together with a measuring device so that a caregiver can measure out the exact volume needed for a child’s weight and age.

Carbocisteine belongs to the mucolytic class of ingredients, meaning it is a chemical compound formulated to alter the physical characteristics of mucus in the airway. Rhinathiol Children Syrup is formulated at a lower carbocisteine strength (2% w/v, equivalent to 100mg per 5ml) than the adult-strength Rhinathiol 5% syrup, reflecting its intended use in children rather than adults, and it is flavoured and sweetened in a way intended to be more palatable for young patients than an unflavoured liquid medicine.

Rhinathiol Children Syrup sits within the wider Rhinathiol range sold by Sanofi-Aventis in Malaysia and Singapore, which also includes the separate adult-strength 5% formulation; the two are not interchangeable, and the children’s syrup should not be substituted with the adult product without checking the correct paediatric dose with a pharmacist. It is packaged as a single 125ml bottle intended for a course of use as directed on the label or by a healthcare professional, rather than as a single-dose sachet or unit-dose format.

Shake the bottle well before each use. Use the measuring device supplied with Rhinathiol Children Syrup — not a household teaspoon — to measure the exact dose for your child’s age, as household spoons vary in size and can lead to an inaccurate dose.

Rhinathiol Children Syrup is given by mouth. It can be taken with or after food if it tends to upset your child’s stomach when taken on an empty stomach. Rinse the measuring device with clean water after each use and allow it to dry before the next dose.

Give the syrup at evenly spaced intervals through the day as directed, and encourage your child to drink water through the day, as maintaining good fluid intake is generally recommended when taking a mucolytic medicine.

Rhinathiol Children Syrup is intended for children from 2 years of age. For children aged 2 to 5 years, the typical dose is 2.5ml given three times a day. For children aged 5 to 12 years, the typical dose is 5ml given three times a day, or as directed by the product label or a doctor or pharmacist.

This syrup is not intended for infants or children under 2 years old — younger children should only be given a carbocisteine-containing syrup if specifically directed and dosed by a doctor, since mucolytic medicines are generally used with more caution in very young children due to differences in how effectively they can clear airway secretions. If a dose is missed, give it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next dose, in which case skip the missed dose — do not give a double dose to make up for a missed one. Do not continue self-administering this syrup for more than a few days without medical review if your child’s symptoms are not improving, or sooner if your child develops a high fever, breathing difficulty, or symptoms that worsen.

Use Rhinathiol Children Syrup before the expiry date printed on the bottle and carton. Once the bottle has been opened, use the syrup within the in-use period stated on the packaging, and discard any leftover syrup once that period has passed or once the printed expiry date is reached, whichever comes first.

Store Rhinathiol Children Syrup below 30°C, away from direct sunlight and moisture, and keep the cap tightly closed between doses. Refrigeration is not required unless stated otherwise on the packaging. Keep the bottle and measuring device out of the reach and sight of children, and do not use the syrup if it has changed colour, developed an unusual smell, or if the tamper-evident seal was broken before first use.

• Known hypersensitivity or allergy to carbocisteine or any other ingredient in the syrup.
• Children under 2 years of age, unless a doctor has specifically prescribed and dosed the syrup for a younger child.
• A current or past history of stomach or duodenal ulcer, due to the risk of gastrointestinal irritation with carbocisteine-containing medicines.
• The bottle should not be used if the syrup has changed colour, developed an unusual smell, or if the tamper-evident seal was already broken before first use.

• Rhinathiol Children Syrup should not be given together with cough suppressant medicines (antitussives) that reduce the cough reflex, as this combination can make it harder for the airway to clear secretions.
• Avoid giving this syrup together with other carbocisteine- or mucolytic-containing products to prevent inadvertently exceeding the intended dose.
• No significant food interactions are known; the syrup can generally be given with or after food if it tends to upset your child’s stomach.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all other medicines, including other cough and cold products, that your child is taking before starting Rhinathiol Children Syrup, to check for duplicate ingredients.

• Always use the measuring device that comes with the bottle rather than a kitchen spoon, to ensure your child receives an accurate dose.
• Shake the bottle well before every dose, as ingredients can settle over time.
• Keep a simple dosing log (time and amount) if more than one caregiver is giving doses, to avoid accidentally double-dosing your child.
• Rinse and dry the measuring device after each use to keep it clean for the next dose.
• Store the bottle upright, tightly capped, and out of your child’s reach between doses.
• Note the date the bottle was first opened so you know when to discard any unused syrup.

Precautions: Rhinathiol Children Syrup is intended for children from 2 years of age and should not be given to younger infants unless specifically directed by a doctor. Use with care in children with a history of stomach or duodenal ulcers, kidney or liver conditions, or known allergies, and always use the measuring device provided rather than an ordinary spoon. Do not give this syrup together with a cough suppressant. If your child is being treated for any other condition or taking other medicines, check with a doctor or pharmacist before starting this syrup.

When to See a Doctor or Pharmacist: Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before giving Rhinathiol Children Syrup if your child is under 2 years old, has a history of stomach ulcers, or is already taking other cough or cold medicines. Seek prompt medical attention if your child develops a rash, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing after a dose, if symptoms worsen or a high fever develops, or if there is no improvement within a few days of starting the syrup as directed.