Among childhood diseases, catarrhal diseases and pathologies of the respiratory system are especially common, often accompanied by a cough. To treat such diseases in pharmacies, you can find a wide variety of medicines, but most often pediatricians prescribe Bromhexine Berlin-Chemie syrup to small patients. This medicine has a pronounced mucolytic effect, due to which sputum excretion is accelerated in the baby in the first days of use, which, in turn, makes the healing process faster.
Syrup "Bromhexine" is considered quite a popular drug, which has found widespread use in pediatrics. However, before using it, it is necessary to study the instructions and strictly adhere to all the rules described in it. This is especially important for the recommended dosage, which should not be exceeded under any circumstances. There is no doubt about the effectiveness of this medication. And confirmation of this is the many reviews of satisfied parents.
Pharmacological properties
One of the most common signs that accompanies pathologies of the respiratory apparatus is a cough. Doctors conditionally divide it into wet and dry. This pathological phenomenon appears against the background of disorders in the activity of the bronchi, which provokes an increase in the production of too thick mucus on their surface. At some point, the body reacts to the presence of harmful secretions in it and triggers a cough mechanism that helps to remove sputum from the lungs.
When all the internal organs function without failures, the mucus ceases to carry a danger in itself. In this condition, it has an antibacterial effect. But in the case of the onset of the disease, it worsens the well-being of the patient, since there are difficulties with bringing it out. Children with similar diagnoses are usually prescribed mucolytic and antispasmodic drugs.
These medications are necessary, first of all, for thinning thick mucus and eliminating it from the lungs due to the stimulation of the bronchi. The Bromhexine syrup really copes with this task. For children, doctors most often choose this particular form of the drug, although there are other varieties of it: drops, tablets and dragees.
Features
The medicinal properties of the syrup are manifested in lowering the viscosity of sputum by breaking the bonds between its polysaccharides. Such an action entails an increase in the bronchi of a special secret, which has a more fluid consistency. Often this drug is also recommended for children suffering from debilitating bouts of dry cough.
Composition and form of release
The main active ingredient of the Bromhexine syrup is Bromhexine hydrochloride, which has a pronounced expectorant and mucolytic effect. This ingredient is of plant origin. In addition, the preparation contains auxiliary components:
- apricot flavor;
- sodium benzoate;
- succinic acid;
- distilled water;
- propylene glycol;
- glucite.
Water and flavoring deserve special attention - it is thanks to them that the product has a pleasant taste, aroma and optimal consistency. In pharmacies, this drug is sold in the form of a syrup, packaged in dark bottles of 100 ml. A special measuring spoon is attached to it, which greatly simplifies the dosing process.
Pharmacokinetics
The drug acts on the children's body as follows:
- first, it is absorbed by the stomach and intestines, and after about half an hour, approximately 9% of the main active ingredient enters the plasma;
- then the active substance in the blood combines with proteins and penetrates the bronchi;
- here, due to the action of bromhexine hydrochloride, the splitting of organic fibers - sputum, which is actually the main cause of the disease;
- disintegrated particles are more easily excreted from the body, which reduces coughing.
Indications for use
According to the instructions, Bromhexine syrup is a highly effective drug that has expectorant, antitussive and secretory properties. Most often, this medicine is prescribed for children who are faced with pathologies of the respiratory apparatus of a chronic and acute form. Indeed, in each such case, a small patient has the appearance of a dry or wet lingering cough, in which, usually, sputum removal is difficult.
The instructions for use of Bromhexine syrup for children contain a list of diseases in which it is desirable to use the drug. These include:
- tuberculosis;
- emphysema;
- pneumoconiosis;
- bronchial asthma;
- congenital anomaly of the bronchopulmonary apparatus;
- dry cough of unknown pathogenesis;
- pharyngitis, laryngitis;
- chronic and obstructive bronchitis;
- cystic fibrosis;
- chronic nasopharyngitis;
- acute pneumonia;
- acute tracheitis;
- infectious pathologies of various etiologies.
It is worth saying that it is undesirable to give the baby syrup without first obtaining permission to use it from a pediatrician. The therapeutic course should be started only after reading the instructions. Syrup "Bromhexine" will be effective only if these rules are observed.
Contraindications
Clinical observations of small patients showed that the drug extremely rarely provokes the occurrence of any side effects. That is why the tool can be considered harmless. However, it should be remembered that the Bromhexine syrup, like any other medication, has certain contraindications. These include:
- gastric bleeding and other digestive tract abnormalities;
- the age of the baby is up to two years;
- the child has serious kidney and liver pathologies;
- individual intolerance or hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
Instructions for use of Bromhexine syrup for children
This drug is rightly considered a safe medicine, so it is often prescribed even to very small babies. But to minimize the likely negative effects from the use of the medication, you should always strictly adhere to the recommended dosage, which is determined depending on the age of the sick baby:
- at 2-6 years, it is permissible to use 4 ml of syrup three times during the day;
- at 6-14 years, 8 ml of the drug is prescribed 3 times during the day.
According to the instructions, the syrup "Bromhexine Berlin-Chemie" is allowed to take from the age of two. However, in reality, this drug has been used since birth in pediatric practice. But for children under two years of age, the drug is prescribed with extreme caution and only after passing all the necessary examinations.
If the baby has signs of poisoning caused by an overdose, it is necessary first of all to drink it with warm water. Thus, it is possible to significantly accelerate the process of removing toxins from the body.
It is possible to treat wet and dry cough in children only with Bromhexine syrup. It is best to refrain from using other forms of release. After all, it is the syrup that is deservedly considered the most convenient to use and also has a pleasant taste and aroma that will surely appeal to little patients. If a child has diabetes, then before using the drug, it is imperative to consult a pediatrician. After all, sugar and flavoring, which are part of the Bromhexine Berlin-Chemie syrup, can adversely affect the health of such a baby.
Additional recommendations
If you refer to the instructions for use of the Bromhexine syrup, it indicates that the product can provoke the appearance of negative reactions while taking it with the medicines used to treat cough. Against the background of such a combination, negative stagnant consequences can occur. As a result, such phenomena can lead to the onset of inflammatory processes and even the multiplication of infection. In some cases, even a defeat of the bronchial tree is likely.
It is acceptable to use Bromhexine syrup in parallel with insulin, corticosteroids, bronchodilator drugs and cardiac drugs. All these medicines are allowed to be used together in complex therapy.
Side effects
If the baby has hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the drug or the recommended dosage is systematically exceeded during treatment, then the risk of developing a negative reaction of the body as an allergy is high. Most often, this process manifests itself in the form of itching, skin rashes and redness.
But sometimes in small patients other unpleasant symptoms may appear, for example, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, migraine. Having noticed any of the described symptoms, you should immediately abandon the use of the drug and go to the pediatrician. It is likely that in such a situation, the doctor will prescribe antihistamines to the baby.
Effective analogues
Today in domestic pharmacies you can see a huge assortment of drugs with the same composition and similar therapeutic effects as the Bromhexine syrup. But if necessary, the selection of an analogue should also consult with a specialist. Safe and no less effective than this syrup, you can call these drugs:
- Gedelix;
- "Alteyka";
- Helppex;
- Septolete;
- "Dr. Mom";
- Pectoral;
- "Travisil";
- Abrol
- Ambroxol;
- Mukaltin;
- "Balm Ho";
- The Falimint.
Most often, instead of Bromhexine, doctors recommend Ambroxol, which contains the same active substance, for young children. After consumption, this drug is split into similar products and produces a similar therapeutic effect. In addition, in pharmacies you can find other medicines that have similar properties. Although, usually, their cost is an order of magnitude higher compared to Bromhexine syrup. All these subtleties should be taken into account if it is decided to go buy a substitute drug.
Reviews
Numerous parental responses indicate a rapid effect of mucolytic - the effect of its use occurs in the first day. Most of the positive reviews belong to the mothers of the smallest patients - they note that giving babies syrup is extremely convenient and easy. As a rule, children like the aroma and taste of the product, so they drink it with great pleasure.
According to parents, the side effects described in the instructions for "Bromhexine Berlin-Chemie" are extremely rare. But even if suddenly the child’s body reacted negatively to the reception of the syrup, after canceling the unpleasant symptoms disappear almost immediately.
Conclusion
Summing up, we can draw several conclusions about the properties of the drug:
- syrup is allowed from a young age;
- the medicine effectively eliminates dry cough, which is characterized by difficult removal of sputum;
- has many analogues if the baby has contraindications;
- the drug has a positive effect extremely quickly, in just a few days, making life easier for the baby and his parents.
This drug is famous for its healing properties. It helps children of all ages cope with unpleasant manifestations of colds in the shortest possible time. It is only necessary to strictly follow the instructions for use of the syrup "Bromhexine Berlin-Chemie", start therapy on time and be constantly observed by the pediatrician. These rules are especially important when it comes to treating very small patients.