Every person from time to time faces such a problem as coughing. This symptom is accompanied by a huge number of diseases, including respiratory infections. And often in such cases, the doctor recommends the patient taking the drug "Kofasma". Syrup helps to cope with annoying coughing attacks.
Of course, before starting therapy, it is worth looking for information about the drug. What are the components of Cofasma Cough Syrup? What result can be achieved with the drug? Are any complications possible during treatment? How much is a bottle of syrup? The answers to these questions interest many.
Features of the composition. Release form information
What does Kofasma look like and what does it consist of? The syrup has an orange color, a pleasant pineapple aroma and a sweet taste. The medicine is sold in dark glass bottles with a volume of 100 or 200 ml.
Immediately it is worth saying that this is a combined remedy, in the composition of which there are immediately three active components - these are salbutamol, guaifenesin and bromhexine (in the form of hydrochloride). Excipients are also available, including propylene glycol, hypromellose, purified water, levomenthol, sodium benzoate, aspartame. Pineapple flavors, sodium dihydrate citrate, yellow colorant, aspartame and citric acid are also present.
What properties does the drug have?
How does the drug Kofasma (syrup) affect the body? The instruction contains information that the drug has a lot of useful properties, which is associated with the peculiarities of the impact on the body of its active components.
- Salbutamol is active against beta-2 adrenoreceptors of the bronchi, myometrium, and blood vessels. This substance relieves spasm of the bronchi, increases the capacity of the lungs, provides the expansion of the coronary arteries. In this case, the substance does not affect blood pressure.
- Bromhexine is an effective mucolytic substance that enhances the activity of the ciliated epithelium of the respiratory tract, increases the volume and reduces the viscosity of sputum.
- Guaifenesin is also a mucolytic component. It reduces the viscosity of sputum, facilitates the process of its removal, and also speeds up the transition time of unproductive cough into a productive form.
When is medication necessary? List of indications
In what cases is it worth taking the drug "Kofasma"? The syrup is widely used to eliminate cough in various diseases, including:
- bronchial asthma;
- acute and chronic forms of bronchitis;
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- emphysema;
- pneumonia (pneumonia);
- tuberculosis affecting lung tissue;
- whooping cough;
- pneumoconiosis;
- tracheobronchitis.
It should be understood that this medicine does not cure the disease itself, it only helps to eliminate one of its symptoms. That is why syrup is only part of complex therapy. The drug should be taken if the cough is accompanied by the formation of viscous sputum that is difficult to separate.
The drug "Kofasma" (syrup): instructions for use
Do not self-medicate - only a doctor can choose a medicine and draw up an effective treatment regimen. As a rule, patients over 12 years of age (including the adult category) are recommended to drink two teaspoons (10 ml) of the syrup three times a day. Eating does not affect the process of assimilation of this drug by the body.
By the way, in pediatrics, the drug "Cofasma" (syrup) is also often used. Instructions for use for children look a little different. Small patients who are under 6 years old take 5 ml three times a day (a teaspoon). For a child aged 6 to 12 years, doctors usually recommend taking 5-10 ml three times a day. Of course, a specialist can correct the scheme depending on the general condition of the patient.
In what cases can the medicine not be used? Contraindication Information
Is it always possible to take the drug "Kofasma". Syrup (the instruction confirms this) has a number of limitations, and their list is worth exploring. Contraindications include:
- hypersensitivity to any of the components of the drug (there is a risk of developing an allergic reaction);
- diseases of the endocrine system, including thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus (decompensated form);
- metabolic disorders, including phenylketonuria;
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system, including tachycardia, myocarditis, tachyarrhythmia, some heart defects (for example, aortic stenosis);
- various forms of renal and liver failure;
- digestive tract diseases, including ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum, gastric bleeding in the active stage;
- this medicine should not be taken simultaneously with beta-blockers;
- to the list of contraindications include glaucoma;
- the medicine should not be taken by women in position, as well as by newly-minted mothers during breastfeeding.
Before starting therapy, the doctor should collect a complete medical history in order to determine if the patient has any contraindications.
Possible adverse reactions and complications in case of overdose
According to statistics and reviews, this syrup in most cases is well tolerated. On the other hand, the likelihood of complications during therapy should not be ruled out.
- Allergies. Some patients experience problems such as skin rashes, redness, and itching. Much less often, during therapy, urticaria and bronchospasm develop.
- Nervous system. The drug can cause muscle cramps, as well as hand tremors. Symptoms such as sleep disturbances (insomnia or constant drowsiness), headaches, irritability, dizziness, occur only when taking too much syrup.
- Digestive system. In some patients, the drug causes nausea, vomiting, and sometimes diarrhea. An exacerbation of an existing peptic ulcer of different parts of the digestive tract is also possible.
- Heart and vascular system. During therapy, a decrease in blood pressure is possible. In rare cases, syrup causes peripheral vasodilation, tachycardia, collapse.
- Urinary tract. Sometimes, after starting to take the syrup, the urine acquires a pink hue.
As for overdose, in this case, the side effects only increase. In this case, the patient must be urgently taken to the hospital. Therapy is symptomatic and directly depends on the complications that have arisen.
How does syrup interact with other drugs?
As already mentioned, this medicine should not be taken simultaneously with beta-blockers, since there is a high risk of developing tachyarrhythmia.
Taking tricyclic antidepressants enhances the effect of salbutamol, which can lead to a sharp (sometimes dangerous) decrease in blood pressure. Also, syrup should not be combined with codeine and other antitussive drugs, as this can significantly complicate the discharge of sputum.
If you take this medicine with antibacterial agents (for example, "Cephalexin", "Erythromycin"), then increased penetration of antibiotics into the lung tissue is possible.
How much is the medicine?
For many patients, an important point is the cost of Cofasma. Syrup does not cost that much, although the exact price will depend on the place of purchase and some other factors. A bottle of 200 ml will cost about 260-300 rubles. It is worth noting that this cost is quite justified, since the medicine allows you to solve a lot of problems.
Information about effective analogues
What if this drug is not suitable for one reason or another? In fact, there are a huge number of drugs with approximately the same properties.
For example, salbutamol is part of drugs like Combipec and Astalin. To cope with an unproductive cough will help drugs "Ascoril", "Bromhexine", "Bronhostop." These products are available in the form of syrups and tablets, have different dosages and are suitable for patients of different ages. Naturally, only the attending physician can choose an effective and, most importantly, safe medicine.
The drug "Kofasma" (syrup): reviews
It is always useful to get acquainted with official information. What is the medicine "Kofasma" (syrup)? Instruction, price, properties are important points. But sometimes it is useful to get acquainted with the opinions of specialists and patients.
Reviews are for the most part positive. The drug actually helps cope. Patients note that already 2-3 days after the start of therapy, coughing becomes more productive, and attacks less intense. Sometimes a week-long treatment is enough to completely get rid of this symptom.
Another advantage is the relatively low cost, since many analogues with a similar composition cost a larger amount. The disadvantages are perhaps not too pleasant taste of the drug "Kofasma" (syrup). For children, this factor is not the last value.
However, doctors often recommend this remedy. It really helps to solve a lot of problems, although it is still not worth taking it on your own (without consulting a specialist).