Butamyrate citrate is a drug that is part of cough medicines. It affects the body through the central nervous system. In the medulla oblongata there is a site responsible for the cough reflex, and butamirate overwhelmingly affects its function. And also this tool has a small bronchodilator, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect.
The effect of a substance on the body
Butamirate citrate is the name of the main component of some antitussive drugs. These drugs are available under various trade names: Sinecode, Omnitus, Codelac Neo, Intussin, Stoptussin. All these funds are combined by the presence in their composition of the same active substance.
Preparations with butamirate citrate are available in the form of conventional 5 mg tablets and 20 mg sustained-release tablets. There is a release form in the form of syrup, it contains 10 mg of active substance per 100 ml of liquid. Drops are also available. Their dosage may be 10 or 20 mg of butamirate.
This substance is well absorbed by the body. It is completely absorbed into the blood through the walls of the digestive tract and binds to plasma proteins. If the usual form of the drug is used, then after about an hour the active component reaches its maximum concentration in the body. Then the content of the drug in the blood drops, and 6 hours after consumption, half the dose is excreted in the urine.
If a person took a pill-depot or retard (prolonged form), then the amount of the drug in the body will reach a peak after 9 hours, and the half-life will be 13 hours.
Indications
Instructions for use of butamirate citrate recommends that this substance be prescribed for any pathology accompanied by dry cough, including whooping cough, as well as before examination of the bronchi (bronchoscopy).
Contraindications
Contraindications to use are severe kidney disease. It is better for pregnant women and nursing mothers to refrain from using this remedy, as it is currently unknown whether butamirate crosses the placenta and passes into breast milk. There are age restrictions for taking various forms of medicine in childhood:
- Up to two months of age, the child is not prescribed a drop.
- Syrups can be given to children only from 3 years old.
- Tableted forms are shown at the age of 6 years.
- Prolonged drugs (depot, retard) are intended for the treatment of children from 12 years of age.
In addition, each specific drug with butamirate citrate may have its own separate contraindications. It depends on the composition and additional components of the drug.
Undesirable effects and overdose
According to the instructions, butamirate citrate can cause the following side effects:
- dizziness;
- dyspeptic symptoms (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting);
- lethargy, drowsiness;
- allergy with rash.
In no case should you exceed the recommended dose of the medicine. With an overdose, severe intoxication occurs. It manifests itself in a violation of coordination of movements, abdominal pain with diarrhea and vomiting, a sharp decrease in blood pressure. In case of poisoning with drugs containing butamirate citrate, you need to wash the stomach, give the patient activated charcoal and immediately call an ambulance.
How to take the medicine?
Drops are intended for the treatment of cough in children. They are taken four times a day. At one time, it is recommended to give the child the following doses of medication:
- infants from 2 months to 1 year: 10 drops;
- children from 1 year to 3 years: 15 drops;
- over the age of 3 years: 25 drops.
Medicinal syrups based on butamirate citrate are prescribed for children up to 3 times a day, and for adults - up to 4 times. In this case, you must adhere to the following single dosage:
- age 3-6 years: 1 teaspoon;
- 6-12 years: 2 teaspoons;
- teens and adults: 3 teaspoons.
Tablets are taken by children 1-2 times a day, and adults - 2 or 3 times.
For more effective absorption, the medicine is taken before meals. It is unacceptable to use alcohol or sedative medications during treatment. This can adversely affect the functioning of the central nervous system. And also the combination of butamirate with expectorants is not allowed. This technique can lead to sputum accumulation, respiratory infections and bronchospasm.
Analogs
Analogues of butamirate citrate are all drugs in which this substance is an active ingredient:
- Sinecode
- Omnitus
- Codelac Neo;
- Intussin
- Stoptussin.
You should pay attention to the drug "Codelac Neo." Unlike other medicines sold under the trade name Codelac, it does not contain codeine. This medicine is designed to treat children, its active substance is butamirate.
"Stoptussin" is a combined remedy. In addition to butamirate, it contains guaifenesin. This is a mucolytic substance that dilutes sputum.
You can choose analogues for therapeutic effect. Through the central nervous system, cough reflex is affected by substances such as codeine and prenoxdiazine. But codeine-based drugs are prescription drugs, as their active ingredient has a narcotic effect. In some patients, it is addictive and addictive. Such potent remedies are not suitable for children.
On the basis of prenoxdiazine, tablets and cough syrup Libexin were created. This is a pretty old drug. It not only eliminates cough, but also has an analgesic effect. However, this medicine is prescribed with caution to children. Butamirate-based medicines are widely used in pediatric practice.
Do I need a Latin prescription for the purchase of drugs with butamirate citrate? Since these drugs do not contain narcotic and potent substances, they are classified as over-the-counter drugs. But this does not mean that cough medicine can be consumed independently. Only a specialist can determine the dosage and take into account all possible contraindications. The prescription is usually prescribed in the brand name of the medicine (Sinecode, Omnitus, etc.), and not in butamirate citrate, since this substance is only an active ingredient.