In the article, we consider the instructions for use with Mukaltin. It is an auxiliary drug that can be used in the treatment of cough in children. However, he is not able to eliminate the cause of the cough. In this regard, despite the natural composition of the drug, it should be used exclusively as part of complex therapy. As a means of monotherapy "Mukaltin" is ineffective. It is also important to consider that if a child has a susceptibility to Mukaltin plants, it can even be dangerous for children.
Mechanism of action
The main active component in the composition of the medicinal product is marshmallow root extract, rich in mucus, which means that the tablets are of plant origin. Like flax seeds, the marshmallow root has the ability to envelop the mucous membranes when it comes in contact with them, thereby forming a protective film on their surface. This substance is quite viscous, mainly consists of starch and several sugars. Accordingly, it does not have an anti-inflammatory effect. This is due to the presence of soda in the preparation.
Release Forms
Mukaltin tablets for children are available for sale, the dosage of each of which is 50 mg.
The manufacturer does not produce medicine in the form of syrup, which causes certain difficulties when using this drug in the treatment of children. However, at present, there are many analogues of the drug in the form of a syrup. They have no other advantages over Mukaltin, since the cost of the drug among analogues is the lowest. That is, a more budgetary cough remedy than Mukaltin does not exist.
In pharmacies, you can buy syrups, which use the same active ingredient, but excipients are different. Among them are Rubital Forte, Alteyka, Althea Syrup.
In what cases is Mukaltin prescribed for children?
What symptoms are prescribed
Many consumers are interested in: the drug is intended for which cough? Mukaltin for children is recommended for coughing when there is a need to cover irritated mucous membranes of the bronchi and throat with a softening protective film. This can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of dry coughing attacks. It is important to understand that the difference between dry and wet cough is not only that the former indicates the onset of the inflammatory process, but the latter indicates that the immune system successfully fights the disease. With a dry cough, a sore throat is more acute than with a wet one. This pain in tandem with dryness of inflamed areas and fever, in turn, significantly enhances it.
The viruses and bacteria that caused the cough, against the background of the use of "Mukaltin" for children, do not die, but the throat will hurt less, and it will become easier for the child to speak and swallow food. In addition, the drug promotes good binding of exfoliated mucosal layers along with pathogens. Thus, “Mukaltin” in the treatment of dry cough is also useful in that it accelerates the elimination of viscous sputum, which begins to accumulate in the bronchi.
Indications for use in children
According to the instructions for use, "Mukaltin" is indicated in the following cases:
- With dry cough, which has an unclear etiology. It is best to consult a doctor to find out what caused the development of cough. However, it is not uncommon for children who are not cured or immunocompromised to begin to cough from various irritants, such as too dry or cold air. In such cases, "Mukaltin" will help prevent the recurrence of the disease. Most often, parental reviews about the use of the drug in such cases are positive.
- In the treatment of pneumonia. In this case, the use of "Mukaltin" is advisable only as an element of complex therapy.
- Viral and bacterial diseases of the upper respiratory system, such as laryngitis, tracheitis or bronchitis, as well as acute respiratory infections.
- Inflammation or emphysema. Mukaltin for children with such diseases is used solely to alleviate the condition typical of these diseases.
Doctors testify that medicines based on the marshmallow root contribute to the rapid onset of the wet cough stage in almost any respiratory disease. However, if there is fresh or clotted blood in the sputum, a significant impurity of pus (in this case the sputum is greenish), the child urgently needs to be shown to the doctor, even if there are no alarming signs like shortness of breath or high fever.
Treatment regimen
At what age are Mukaltin prescribed for children? The medication can be prescribed to children from any age due to its natural composition. The main thing is that the child should not have sensitivity to any of the components that are part of the drug. However, the use of a medical product in infants must still be agreed with the doctor. It is important to remember that an independent transition of dry cough to wet for three days is preferable. In this case, dead cells of the mucosa and pathogenic microorganisms from the respiratory tract are better excreted.
Many are interested in how to give Mukaltin to children.
How to use?
Regardless of the age of the child, the drug should be taken three times a day, about an hour before meals. The dosage of the medicine, as well as the scheme of its use, depends on the age of the child. The dose of "Mukaltin" for children under 3 years is not more than one and a half tablets of the drug per day. That is, at each dose, the child should be given 25 mg (0.5 tablets). The tool is preferable to dissolve in juice or in plain water. You can add a little sugar or honey to the solution, bringing it as close as possible to the syrup. The treatment procedure is thus greatly simplified.
"Mukaltin" for coughing for children from 3 years old is shown 1 tablet per dose. In fact, in the treatment of children of this age, an adult dosage of the drug is used. The only difference is that adults can use 2 tablets at a time. In the case of children, this is unacceptable.
Treatment duration
The duration of the entire course of therapy should be no more than a week. If for a given period of time the cough has not passed from the dry stage to the wet stage, then the use of the medication is pointless. Instructions for use "Mukaltina" confirms this.
Recommendations for use
Preparations based on the marshmallow root are forbidden to be taken in parallel with medications containing codeine. The latter is an anesthetic that has a mild narcotic effect. It can be detected both in cough suppressants and in analgesics. The incompatibility of these substances is due to the fact that they cause opposite effects when used. So, codeine helps to suppress the cough center and reduce the severity and frequency of coughing. Althea root therapy, in turn, suggests that sputum will have to cough.
It is also important to note that "Mukaltin" for children, prescribed for coughing, promotes the release of a large amount of viscous sputum during the first days of treatment. This usually happens if the patient has a disease of the upper respiratory tract in severe or chronic form. A similar effect is due to the fact that a large amount of sputum is already accumulating in the bronchi and lungs by the start of taking Mukaltin, and the drug provokes its increased excretion. Against this background, the development of shortness of breath, increased cough and the occurrence of some other undesirable effects are not ruled out. In such cases, it is recommended to supplement the therapy with “Mukaltin” with the use of sputum thinners, for example, “Vazitsin” or “Bromhexine”.
It is important to consider that the marshmallow root increases the absorption of iron, penicillin and tetracycline antibiotics, and also reduces the effectiveness of heparin. Therefore, caution should be exercised when combining Mukaltin with heparin, iron preparations, and antibiotics.
Contraindications
There are few contraindications that impede the use of Mukaltin. Nevertheless, it should not be used if:
- Phenylketonuria. That is, one should not take the marshmallow root if there is a hereditary inability of the body to absorb phenylalanine, which is one of the amino acids.
- Diabetes. It is important to remember that Mukaltin contains starch and several sugars.
- Thrombosis. It is due to the fact that with it and some other diseases associated with increased blood coagulability, heparin injections are necessary, the effectiveness of which decreases with the reception of the marshmallow root.
- Allergic reactions. Do not use the medication if there are reactions to any component in its composition, as well as to similar substances, including any plants.
- Pathological changes in the liver and kidneys. In this case, we are talking about moderate and severe violations of the functionality of these organs. This limitation is due to the fact that the excretion of the drug and its metabolites occurs through the liver and kidneys.
Side effects
Side effects of Mukaltin are most often caused by an unexpected reaction of the digestive tract and immunity to an unfamiliar substance. Among the negative reactions, it should be noted the likelihood of developing allergies (even if the child is not an allergic person), nausea, diarrhea, increased blood pressure, accompanied by headache and a feeling of heat.
Such spontaneous reactions for babies are typical due to the fact that all systems and organs of the body are in the mode of adaptation to various conditions. However, if a child has any of the side effects associated with the use of Mukaltin, it is important to consult a doctor so that he selects an analogue of the drug or changes the treatment regimen.
Reviews about "Mukaltin" for children
Most drug reviews are neutral or positive. "Mukaltin" is a fairly popular remedy for cough therapy in children. The drug does not have toxicity, so parents often note that against the background of using this drug, negative effects are extremely rare, which is an undoubted advantage.
Also, separately in the reviews about Mukaltin for children, the availability of the drug is noted - it is the most budgetary in its category, its price fluctuates at the level of 15 rubles per pack.
Nevertheless, before you start using the medicine, especially in children, it is important to get the recommendation of a doctor who will determine the appropriateness of using this particular medication.
We examined how to give Mukaltin to children.