Colds are a problem that every person faces from time to time, regardless of gender or age. As you know, one of the symptoms of this ailment is coughing and shortness of breath. It is in such cases that doctors prescribe the use of the Eucabalus drug to patients. This balm has a lot of useful properties. But, of course, many people are interested in other issues, including the presence of contraindications and side effects, reviews of other patients and instructions for using the medicine.
Description of the composition of the drug
The drug "Eucabalum" (balm) is an emulsion intended for external use or for inhalation. The medicine is available in bottles, each of which contains 100 g of emulsion. The main active substance of the drug is eucalyptus leaf oil and pine needles.
Of course, auxiliary components are also used in the manufacture of the medicine, including purified water, macrogol stearate, glycerol monostarate, citric acid monohydrate, trometamol and cytostearyl alcohol.
What properties does the drug have?
The medicine "Eucabalus" is a balm with a lot of valuable properties. Essential oils of eucalyptus and pine provide a dilution and dissolution of bronchial secretions. In addition, the drug accelerates the process of elimination of sputum by epithelial tissues. It is also proven that the active substances of the drug have anti-inflammatory properties.
The alpha-pinene contained in the needles improves microcirculation of the blood, and also affects the central nervous system, reducing bronchospasm and facilitating breathing. Essential oils have mild antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties.
During inhalation, the drug enters directly into the tissues of the respiratory system. If we are talking about external use, then the active components penetrate through the skin into the general bloodstream and are carried to various organs, including the lungs.
The main indications for the use of balm
In what cases is “Eucabalus” (balm) indicated for use? The instruction says that the medicine can be used for inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, such as bronchitis, tracheitis, etc. The main indication is a cough with sputum that is difficult to separate. Of course, the drug is part of complex therapy and is used along with other drugs.
The drug "Eucabalum" (balm): instructions for use
It is worth saying that the emulsion can be used in different ways. Nevertheless, it is not necessary to use the drug "Eucabal" (balm) without the recommendation of a doctor. The instruction contains only general information:
- As already mentioned, the drug can be used for grinding. In this case, a strip of emulsion about 3-5 cm long is applied to the skin between the shoulder blades or to the chest, after which it is carefully rubbed into the skin. To enhance the warming effect, the patient is recommended to wrap up well and lie under the covers.
- Solutions for inhalation are prepared from the medicine. To do this, add a strip of emulsion 4-6 cm long in 1 to 2 liters of hot water and mix well. Throwing towels over the head, patients are advised to inhale the vapor for several minutes. At the initial stages of treatment, the procedure should be repeated 2 to 3 times a day.
The medicine "Eucabal" (balm): instructions for use for children
If we are talking about the treatment of small patients, then it is advisable to conduct baths. It is very simple to prepare it: in 10 l of warm water (temperature about 36 - 37 degrees) you need to dilute a strip of emulsion with a length of 8 - 10 cm. You need to bathe your child no more than 10 minutes. When treating children over two years old, two strips of the drug 10 cm long are added to the bathtub filled with 40 liters of warm water.
How else to use the drug "Eucabalum" (balm) for children? Reviews say that it is advisable to supplement the baths with grindings. The emulsion, however, is not recommended to be applied to the skin of the chest - only the area between the shoulder blades needs to be processed. For children from 2 months to two years of age, it is recommended to use no more than 2 - 3 cm of emulsion, the dose for a child aged 2 to 11 years is 3-4 cm.
Steam inhalation is allowed only for children over 5 years old and only as directed by a doctor.
Limitations and contraindications to treatment
In all cases, can Eucabalum be used to treat colds? Balm, despite the safety and natural composition, still has some contraindications:
- for starters, it is worth mentioning hypersensitivity - before use, you must definitely familiarize yourself with the composition of the drug;
- the drug is not used to treat respiratory diseases such as whooping cough, bronchial asthma (possibly increasing spasm) and false croup ;
- the medicine has age restrictions - it is not recommended to use it to treat children up to two months of age (inhalation is not carried out until 5 years old);
- apply the drug to the skin of the face (for example, in the nose) should not be used by children under 2 years old;
- you can not use the emulsion in cases where the skin in the area of application has scratches, wounds, ulcers and other damage to the integument;
- the medicine is not applied to the mucous membranes;
- baths with an emulsion are contraindicated in acute infectious diseases, severe fever, pathologies from the cardiovascular system, including arrhythmia, angina pectoris, hypertension, heart failure;
- To date, there is no data on the possible consequences of using the drug during pregnancy and lactation, but when breastfeeding it is impossible to apply the emulsion to the skin of the chest the decision about whether to use the emulsion during the bearing of a child is made by the attending physician, based on the potential benefits to the patient.
Side effects that occur during therapy
Of course, patients are interested in possible adverse reactions, especially when it comes to the use of the drug "Eucabalum" (balm) for children. The instruction says that complications during treatment are extremely rare - in most cases, the medicine is well tolerated and copes with its main tasks.
On the other hand, the development of side effects is still possible. Some patients have allergic reactions, in particular urticaria and contact eczema. An irritating cough may sometimes occur. The more dangerous adverse reactions include increased bronchospasm, including suffocation. If any deterioration occurs, stop taking and consult a specialist!
Additional medicine information
Immediately it should be said that Eucabal Balsam is intended for external use only - it can be used for baths, rubbing and inhalation, but in no case should it be applied to the mucous membranes and taken orally. If taken orally, patients experience diarrhea, severe nausea, and vomiting. It is also possible the appearance of dizziness, seizures, blurred consciousness, the development of suffocation, disruption of the excretory system. If the patient accidentally took the drug inside, you must immediately take him to the hospital and wash the stomach.
Shelf life of the drug is 3 years. But after opening the bottle, its contents can be used for eight weeks and no longer.
It is worth noting that eucalyptus oil stimulates the functioning of the liver enzyme systems. Therefore, if along with the emulsion we use drugs whose metabolism occurs in the liver cells, then a decrease in intensity and a decrease in the exposure time of such drugs are observed. If you are taking any other medicines, then be sure to inform your doctor during the consultation.
In some cases, the use of this medication for one reason or another is impossible - the doctor can choose a high-quality analogue for the patient. Approximately the same properties are possessed by Doctor Mom ointment. Sometimes experts use the drug "Vicks Active Balm". Sometimes, to eliminate dry cough, the use of special syrups, for example, Lazolvan and Bromhexine, is enough. In any case, you must understand that the doctor should replace the medication and make up the treatment regimen - you should not do this yourself.
How do doctors and patients respond about the drug?
Of course, in addition to official information, people are interested in the opinions of specialists and patients who have already managed to use the drug "Eucabal" (balm). The reviews are mostly positive. After the first procedure, patients notice the effect - it becomes much easier to breathe, and after a few days sputum starts to go away during coughing.
An undoubted advantage is the fact that “Eucabalum” (balm) is allowed for infants, because it is always difficult for kids to choose the right safe medicine. Doctors also have a high opinion of the drug, since it quickly gives a positive effect, and complications in patients during therapy are extremely rare. The balm is not so expensive, and the bottle, as a rule, is enough for a full course of treatment, which makes it so popular in the modern pharmaceutical market.