Surely everyone knows what a cough with difficult sputum discharge that occurs with viral infections, flu, bronchitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis and acute laryngitis. To get rid of this condition, experts recommend taking mucolytic drugs. They contribute to the rapid discharge of sputum, significantly improving the patient's condition.
What expectorant drugs do you know? There are a lot of such funds in pharmacies. However, out of all the abundance, it is quite difficult for patients to choose the most effective and inexpensive drug. In this regard, we recommend contacting an experienced doctor.
Most often, for the treatment of such a disease, doctors prescribe the Tussin drug to patients. Instructions for use for children and adult patients will be discussed below. Information will also be provided on the form in which this drug is released, whether it can be prescribed to pregnant women, what is included in its composition and whether it has side effects.
Release form, description, composition and packaging of the drug
The drug "Tussin", the instructions for use of which are contained in a package of thick cardboard, are made in the form of syrup. This medicinal medicine is a dark red liquid with a pleasant cherry aroma.
The main active ingredient of this tool is guaifenesin. Also, the composition of the medicine includes auxiliary elements, which are presented in the form of corn syrup, sodium saccharin, caramel, citric acid, menthol, cherry flavor, sodium benzoate, propylene glycol, glycerol, charming red dye and purified water.
Tussin potion goes on sale in 118 ml plastic bottles. In addition to medicine and instructions, a cardboard cup contains a dosage cup.
Pharmacological properties of the drug
Do you know what Tussin syrup is? The instruction indicates that it is an expectorant and mucolytic agent. Its use in dosages recommended by the doctor helps to reduce the viscosity of sputum, as well as facilitate its removal.
It should also be noted that this tool helps to convert a non-productive cough into a productive one.
The duration of action with a single dose of the medicine is 3.5-4 hours.
Kinetic parameters of the drug
Is the mucolytic drug Tussin (syrup) absorbed? Instructions for use reports that the absorption of this agent from the gastrointestinal tract is quite fast (about half an hour after ingestion).
The half-life of the drug is 60 minutes. It penetrates only into those tissues that contain acid mucopolysaccharides in their structure.
The drug is metabolized in the liver. It is excreted through the lungs (along with sputum), as well as the kidneys in the form of inactive metabolites.
Indications for use of medicine
For what purpose are patients prescribed a drug such as Tussin? Instructions for use indicate that this tool effectively treats a cough with difficulty in sputum discharge, which occurs with inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract (upper sections).
Thus, the drug in question is very often used as an additional medicine in complex therapy for:
- flu
- acute viral infections;
- acute pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis and tracheitis.
Contraindications to the use of syrup
Does a mucolytic drug like Tussin have contraindications? Cough syrup, the instruction of which will be described in detail a little further, is forbidden to prescribe if the patient has:
- peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach, especially in the acute stage;
- a history of gastric bleeding;
- hypersensitivity to drug substances.
It should also be noted that cough syrup should not be given to children under two years of age.
With caution, this medication is recommended to be taken during breastfeeding and before the age of 12 years.
The drug "Tussin": instructions for use
During pregnancy, this drug is prescribed with extreme caution.
Experts recommend taking the medication in question no more than 4-6 times during the day. The medication should be consumed only after a meal.
At what dose is Tussin prescribed? The instruction for use reports that a single dosage of this drug for babies 2-6 years old is a 0.5-1 dessert spoon with an interval of 6-8 hours (that is, 50-100 mg).
For children aged 6-12 years, the medication in question is prescribed in the amount of 1-2 teaspoons (i.e. 100-200 mg) four times a day.
As for adolescents from 12 years old, as well as adult patients, they are recommended to take 2-4 dessert spoons (that is, 200-400 mg) four times a day.
If you observe the indicated dosages, the therapeutic effect of the drug will not take long.
Unwanted effects
What side effects does the Tussin drug cause? The instruction for use claims that in some cases, taking this medication contributes to the appearance of unwanted symptoms:
- from the digestive tract: vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain;
- allergic manifestations: urticaria and skin rash;
- on the part of the National Assembly: headaches, dizziness and drowsiness.
Drug overdose
Taking high doses of a mucolytic drug can quite easily cause vomiting and nausea. With these symptoms, it is recommended to carry out an event to replenish fluid in the body, as well as regularly monitor the level of electrolytes.
Compatibility with other means
The drug in question is compatible with antimicrobial agents, bronchodilators and cardiac glycosides. However, this medication is not prescribed with drugs that suppress the cough center (including Codeine), as this can significantly complicate the discharge of liquefied sputum.
Special recommendations
When taking the Tussin medicine, the patient’s urine may turn pink. It should also be noted that guaifenesin and its metabolites cause a color change in the detection of vanillyl mindic acid in the urine. In addition, this substance falsely overestimates the test results, which are designed to determine the amount of catecholamines.
Similar remedy
What are the differences between Tussin and Tussin Plus? The instruction for use states that the last medication, in addition to guaifenesin, also contains such an active substance as dextromethorphan hydrobromide. It is able to suppress amplified afferent impulses from the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, increase the cough threshold, and also reduce the frequency of dry cough.
Despite the fact that this element is similar in its effect to Codeine, it does not have analgesic properties and does not inhibit the respiratory center and activity of the ciliary epithelium.
Unlike the drug we are considering, Tussin Plus is prescribed for children only after reaching the age of 6. Otherwise, contraindications for this remedy are similar to Tussin.
At what dose is Tussin Plus prescribed? Instructions for use report that such a syrup is used only after eating. The required dosage is measured using a measuring cup or dessert spoon.
For children aged 6-12 years, a small spoon is given a medicine every 4 hours. For adult patients and adolescent children (from 12 years old), the specified dose is doubled.
As for the side effects, this drug has the same effects as Tussin’s.
If you are intolerant of the medicine in question, you can replace it with one of the following medicines: "Glycodine", "Tedein", "Kodarin", "Codepsin", "Codeterp".
Drug price
The cost of such a mucolytic agent as Tussin is about 180 rubles. As for its reinforced form, its price may be slightly higher (about 200 rubles).
Drug Consumer Reviews
Cough with difficulty sputum discharge periodically worries many people, including small patients. Therefore, the drug "Tussin" is very popular.
Its main advantages are accessibility and relatively low cost. Also, many patients report that this drug is very effective in treating wet cough. After several doses of the drug, sputum begins to leave the bronchi, significantly facilitating the patient's condition and accelerating the healing process.
Positive feedback from patients can be found on the Tussin Plus syrup. Many note that such an improved form of the drug acts much faster. But, unfortunately, it should not be given to children under the age of 6 years.
As for the negative messages, most often in them patients complain about the occurrence of side effects. Among them, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and headaches are especially distinguished. Allergic reactions are also very common.