When a child gets sick in the family, all the attention of adults is focused on him. And the point here is not whether this is a serious illness or a cold with a cough. Moreover, in fact, a cough itself is a symptom of a disease and requires treatment.
To combat this problem, a lot of different medicines have been developed in a variety of forms: tablets, suspension, inhalation formulations, cough syrup. “ACC” for children was developed by manufacturers in Germany and Slovenia. The main functions of this drug are to dilute sputum that is difficult to separate, and facilitate the process of removing it from the respiratory tract. “ACC” has an anti-inflammatory effect, suppressing pathogens that develop in sputum.
The principle of the "ACC"
For the stable functioning of the human body, nature arranged everything in such a way that a special mucous secret is constantly developed in the respiratory tract, the main functions of which include protective, cleansing and antibacterial effects. If a person becomes ill, the process of developing this secret is repeatedly activated. The consistency of this mucus has a high viscosity: the child suffers from prolonged coughing attacks, suffocates, and sputum does not go away. Such a cough is called unproductive.
It is in such cases, in order to help the child’s body, they are prescribed “ACC” for children (syrup). Instructions for use allow you to assign it to children from the age of two. Sputum viscosity directly depends on the presence of special bonds in it - disulfide bridges. “ACC”, entering the child’s body, acts on these compounds and contributes to their rupture. Sputum becomes less viscous, and the process of removing it from the respiratory tract is much easier. Air masses, falling into the bronchi, have the ability to circulate freely, without causing irritation to the nerve endings. Coughing becomes productive.
"ATSTS" (syrup for children) continues to remain active even in cases when a purulent component is present in the sputum. At first, the parents may have the feeling that the cough has intensified. However, the strengthening of this process only indicates that the drug is acting. Gradually, the cough reflex fades, soon the cough disappears completely.
The antioxidant properties of “ACC” are able to suppress local inflammatory processes, which practically negates the likelihood of relapses and complications. The medication has no effect on the immune system.
Possible forms of release
Manufacturers offer the drug in several forms of release for convenience and breadth of use. The granules in the bottle are diluted independently with water, it turns out the “ACC” syrup. Instructions for use for children often allow you to be treated with this medicine even to those babies who have not yet reached the age of two. True, doctors do not practice its administration to newborns for the treatment of cough and bronchitis because the airways in the babies are very narrow and the pectoral muscles are still weak. For these reasons, a small baby simply cannot cough up an increased amount of sputum. If there is no alternative to this medication, then treatment with the help of “ACC” should be under the supervision of a treating doctor.
However, it should be noted that the “ACC” (syrup) instructions for use for children up to one year old can be prescribed if the child has cystic fibrosis (a hereditary disease characterized by a malfunction of the respiratory system).
Widely used effervescent tablets "ACC". They can be purchased in three dosages: 100, 200 and 600 mg of acetylcysteine (the main active ingredient). A dose of 600 mg has the trade name "ACC-Long", is characterized by a prolonged effect and is prescribed to patients no younger than 14 years old. One tablet of this medication, taken once, replaces several doses of smaller doses.
A suspension is prepared by diluting granules from sachets (100, 200 mg) in water, tea, milk or juice. The resulting composition should not be hot. Ideally, if its temperature is close to body temperature.
With the use of "ACC" it is even possible to do inhalation. 1-2 ml of a solution intended for injection (used in very severe cases in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor) is mixed with an isotonic sodium chloride solution and used in special inhalers or nebulizers. Procedures can be carried out 1-2 times a day. The course of therapy is up to 10 days.
Indications for use
Indications for which the appointment of this drug is possible is quite wide. As for young patients, a special dosage has been developed for them, called the “ACC 100”. Instructions for children syrup (as the optimal form for the treatment of even infants and children up to 2 years old) allows you to use with a number of diseases of the respiratory system.
In general, “ACC” is prescribed for patients suffering from bronchitis (any form: chronic, acute, obstructive), pneumonia, tracheitis, broncholitis (inflammatory processes of the lower respiratory tract), cystic fibrosis. A medication is used for bronchiectasis (an increase in the diameter of the bronchi in the place where the bronchial wall is damaged).
The purpose of “ACC” is also practiced in the treatment of otitis media and sinusitis (acute, chronic form), since the drug is able to thin out not only sputum, but also accumulations of pus, stimulating its excretion from the body.
Contraindications for taking “ACC”
"ACC" for children (syrup), the instructions for use prohibit taking patients with individual intolerance to the components of the medication and those suffering from peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum (acute stage). These same diseases, but in remission, can also respond to the use of “ACC”. Therefore, patients with such problems should be attentive to their health.
With great precautions, “ACC” (syrup for children) should be taken by patients with renal and hepatic insufficiency, in the presence of problems with the adrenal glands, with bronchial asthma.
Since many diseases are younger today, even in young children you can find gastrointestinal ulcers or diabetes. In case of the last disease, it should be borne in mind that sucrose is present in the “ACC”. If a child is diagnosed with phenylketonuria, then for the treatment of cough it is necessary to choose “ACC”, which does not include aspartame (sweetener).
Contraindication for “ACC Long” - the age of the child is up to 14 years.
Dosage and administration
Instructions for use of the “ACC 100” for children, the syrup is recommended for use when the patient's age is from 2 to 5 years. It can also be granules in bags (volume - 100 mg), which are taken 2-3 times during the day. Another option is granules in a bottle for making syrup, which is indicated for intake of 5 ml (1 scoop) also 2-3 times during the day after eating.
Patients in the age group from 6 to 14 years old are prescribed “ACC” 200 mg (granules in sachets) twice a day or 2 scoops (10 ml) of syrup twice a day with meals.
Patients over 14 years of age are prescribed “ACC” for 2 measured spoons (10 mg) 2-3 times a day (or use “ACC Long”).
In the most extreme cases, it allows you to use the "ACC" (syrup) instructions for use for children up to a year. Reviews of doctors in this case speak of an underdeveloped respiratory system and weak pectoral muscles. It will be difficult for a small child to cough up an increased volume of sputum.
It is worth saying that the standard treatment regimen is described above. In some particularly severe cases, the dosage of the drug may be adjusted upward (or downward if the situation is not very difficult). The usual course of treatment is up to 7 days. Only a doctor can decide to extend the treatment period. In chronic forms of bronchitis or cystic fibrosis, the course of therapy with the use of "ACC" can continue for several months. In parallel with this, constant monitoring of the functioning of the liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands is carried out. The indicators of blood enzymes are also subject to monitoring.
Possible side effects
Side effects of the drug “ATSTS” are quite rare. Parents of young patients talk about the appearance of headaches, the development of stomatitis, and tinnitus. Much less often, deviations in the functioning of the digestive tract occur, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Also, among the possible negative manifestations during the use of “ACC” for children (syrup), the instructions for use report a risk of lowering blood pressure, the development of tachycardia (heart palpitations), bronchospasm, and the appearance of urticaria.
In the event of any adverse reactions during therapy with the use of "ACC", it is necessary to stop taking the medication and consult a pediatrician without fail.
Excessive Dosage
Overdose of the drug “ACC” can occur in several cases. It is possible for a child to take a dose calculated for an adult patient, use the medicine in an overestimated volume without special instructions from a doctor or accumulate it (“ACC”) in the body, which is possible with a long course of treatment without proper monitoring of the liver, kidneys, and blood counts. In any case, the possible reactions of patients to the “ACC” (for children - syrup), the instructions for use describe such manifestations as a drop in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and a feeling of dry mouth. There is also the likelihood of allergic dermatitis, accompanied by a rash and itching, bronchospasm may develop.
In especially severe cases, doctors talk about the possibility of Quincke's edema and shock.
Interaction with other drugs
All information on possible drug interactions contains instructions for use in the “ACC” (syrup). For children from a year you can take it only in the most extreme cases and under the supervision of a doctor. Although, with the parallel use of “ACC”, there is still danger for patients of any age.
There is information about the incompatibility of the main active substance “ACC” with semisynthetic penicillins, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides. On the contrary, there is no information about the incompatibility of acetylcysteine with antibacterial drugs such as Amoxicillin, Erythromycin and Cefuroxime.
What should I look for?
As mentioned earlier, for the treatment of patients from 2 to 5 years, doctors usually prefer the drug “ACC 100” (syrup). Instructions for use for children, reviews of pediatric doctors warn parents about the inadmissibility of joint administration of “ACC” and any antitussive medications. With this parallel administration, “ACC” dilutes sputum, and antitussive drugs suppress the cough reflex, sputum does not expectorate. This is fraught with stagnation of sputum, which seriously threatens the health, and sometimes the life of the child.
Pediatricians also do not prescribe “ACC” along with antibacterial agents, as they may be incompatible. Only a few types of antibiotics of the tetracycline, penicillin and cephalosporin series can be used together with “ACC” with intervals of at least 2 hours between doses.
To independently breed granules and powders of “ACC” is permissible only in glassware. It is recommended to prevent contact with rubber or metal.
During treatment with the use of “ACC”, it is required to increase the volume of fluid consumed. This will significantly enhance the mucolytic effect of the drug. Children should take “ACC” no later than 4 hours before bedtime.
The opinion of consumers about the drug
Parents of patients are satisfied with the drug “ACC” (syrup). Instructions for use for children (consumer reviews confirm this fact) give clear instructions on the method of use of the drug, dosage. Cough in children usually quickly becomes productive and passes for 3-4 days. That is, the tool is effective in almost 100% of cases.
The syrup has a pleasant orange flavor, so even the most capricious patients do not have to take a long time to take the medicine. In addition, the cost of “ACC” is available to a wide range of consumers with a very different level of financial capabilities. The tool is very convenient to store, it will not be difficult to take it with you on the road.
The “ACC”, of course, has certain contraindications and side effects, but using it only as directed by the attending physician and following all the recommendations will relieve most of the unpleasant consequences and manifestations.
The child will breathe deeply and calmly, and parents will not worry about his well-being.