In the article, we consider the instructions for use and reviews for the drops of Stoptussin.
The drug is an effective drug with a complex effect, which is used to eliminate the manifestations of cough in children of various etiologies. The use of this medication helps to liquefy the secret that accumulates in the bronchi, and improves its separation processes.
Description
The medication “Stoptussin” is an effective combined cough remedy that has a multidirectional drug effect on the children's body, has a blocking effect on the cough centers located in the medulla oblongata. At the same time, this medication helps to ensure that sputum liquefies and facilitates the process of removing it from the bronchi. For this reason, the drug is often used to combat persistent dry cough in children.
If a sick child is tormented by a wet cough, then the use of this medication should be resorted to in order to make his sleep more calm and full. Taking the drug in the daytime is not recommended, as this may disrupt the processes of natural excretion of sputum from the bronchi.
Pharmacological action and composition
According to the instructions for drops, Stoptussin has an expectorant (mucolytic) and antitussive effect.
Butamirate dihydrocytrate gives a peripheral local anesthetic effect on the sensitive ends of the bronchial mucosa, which can provide an antitussive effect.
The substance guaifenesin increases the secretion of the glands of the bronchi and reduces the viscosity of sputum. Increased secretion is due to a direct effect on the glands of the bronchi - stimulation of the secretion of the glands and the elimination of acidic glycoproteins from acinar cells. In addition, secretion increases in a reflex way, when afferent parasympathetic fibers of the gastric mucosa are irritated and respiratory center is suppressed. Raising tone n. vagus contributes to the production of bronchial secretions. Sputum, which is produced by the bronchial glands, enhances the functionality of the ciliary epithelium, as a result of which the evacuation of sputum from the bronchi and its coughing are facilitated.
The instruction for drops "Stoptussin" is very detailed.
Dosage Forms
The medication is made in several dosage forms: syrups, drops and tablets. Cough therapy in children is usually carried out with drops and syrups, and tablets are only allowed after 12 years.
Drops "Stoptussin" are a liquid with a pronounced smell of thyme. In pharmacies, this medication can be purchased in dark glass bottles. When storing drops for a long time, sediment at the bottom may occur, however, this does not reduce the effectiveness of the drug and does not affect its therapeutic properties.
Structure
Instructions for use with Stoptussin Cough Drops indicate that they contain natural ingredients. These include:
- thyme extract, which accelerates the elimination of sputum accumulated in the bronchi and reduces the manifestations of the inflammatory process;
- plantain extract containing phytoncides, which help to quickly destroy pathogens and help cleanse the airways;
- thyme extract, which has a similar aroma to thyme and has a similar effect.
As indicated in the instructions for Stoptussin Cough Drops, the main active ingredients of this medicine are butamirate and guaifenesin. Guaifenesin is a substance that has a mucolytic effect and helps to change the properties of mucus accumulated in the bronchi. In addition, this substance helps to restore the processes of sputum production, which contains pathogenic microbes.
Butamirate has a local anesthetic effect on cough receptors. In addition, this component significantly reduces the sensitivity of cough centers to emerging nerve impulses, as a result of which the severity of cough reflexes decreases. When using this medication, its active elements are rapidly absorbed in the digestive tract, and after about 40 minutes its highest concentration in the blood is detected.
Pharmacokinetics
What else does the instruction tell us about the drops of Stoptussin? The metabolism of the active substances of the drug for children is carried out in the blood with the formation of active metabolites, the elimination of which is carried out through the kidneys and intestines.
Indications for use
Drops "Stoptussin" are indicated for the treatment of paroxysmal dry cough of various origins in children.
This drug is used in the complex treatment of a variety of respiratory diseases that occur in the children's body in acute or chronic forms. Good results from taking this medication are observed with the elimination of the following diseases:
- debilitating dry cough, which is provoked by a viral infection;
- infectious damage to the respiratory tract, which is accompanied by severe sore throat and nasal congestion;
- tracheitis, bronchitis, laryngitis.
This is confirmed by instructions for use for children and reviews of drops "Stoptussin" parents.
These diseases are accompanied by an excessive accumulation of mucous discharge, which contains pathogenic bacteria that cause the inflammatory process. It is for this reason that sputum needs to be removed as quickly as possible, and this is done with the help of expectorant medicines of combined effect.
The medication is also prescribed for the prevention and improvement of the condition before surgery (for example, before bronchoscopy). The instruction for drops "Stoptussin" does not end there.
Contraindications
Despite the effectiveness of this drug for the treatment of cough in children, in some cases it will have to be abandoned. Contraindications in this case depend on the age of the child and the individual reaction of his body to the substances that make up the drug.
Drops "Stoptussin" is contraindicated to use simultaneously with other expectorant drugs, with a high sensitivity of the body to certain elements of this medication or with individual intolerance. The drug is not recommended for administration to children also in inflammatory processes occurring in the intestines, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, impaired liver and kidney function.
Adverse reactions
According to the instructions and reviews for Stoptussin drops, the use of such a drug in children can cause certain side effects, including:
- skin rash, urticaria;
- pain in the abdomen, bouts of vomiting and nausea;
- stool disorders;
- increased weakness;
- drowsiness;
- decreased appetite or lack thereof;
- cephalalgia and dizziness.
The appearance of such symptoms may be the result of an overdose of the drug. In some cases, urolithiasis may occur in children. If there are signs of an overdose after taking the medication, it is necessary to make the child a gastric lavage. In addition, you should give activated carbon and consult a specialist.
Dosage and route of administration
What is the dosage of Stoptussin drops for children according to the instructions? Dosages of this drug depend on the weight of the child. Children weighing up to 7 kg are prescribed no more than 8 drops three times a day. For babies with a body weight of 8 to 20 kg, the dosage of the medication is 10 drops three times a day. With a body weight of 20 to 40 kg, 15 drops can be taken with the same frequency. With a body weight of more than 40 kg, 25 drops are prescribed. Before use, drops should be previously diluted in half a glass of water, given to the child after eating.
So it is told in the instruction for Stoptussin cough drops for children.
Analogues of the drug
Similar effects of drugs in this case are:
- Mukaltin is one of the cheapest and most popular cough medicine, which is accompanied by the separation of dense sputum. The composition of the medication contains dried extracts of the marshmallow.
- “Pertussin” is another domestic medicine used for COPD, bronchitis, pneumonia and other pathologies in children. Available in the form of syrups and solutions. The main active components of the drug are potassium bromide and thyme extract. The drug is contraindicated in children under the age of three years, with epilepsy and impaired liver and kidney function.
- "Amtersol" is a mucolytic and bronchodilator drug, available in the form of syrup. As active components, it includes potassium bromide, ammonium chloride, sodium benzoate, as well as some plant components - thermopsis grass and licorice root extracts. It is prescribed for children in the treatment of infectious pathologies of the respiratory tract, which are characterized by the appearance of cough and separation of dense sputum. Contraindicated in children under three years of age. It should also be borne in mind that this tool contains a large amount of sugar, as well as ethyl alcohol.
“Linkas” is a phytosyrup containing ten different medicinal herbs extracts: licorice, jujube, galanga alpine, cordia, hyssop officinalis, violet, marshmallow, onosma, adhatoda, pepper. Due to these components, an antitussive and expectorant effect is achieved. It is prescribed in the treatment of children aged 6 months. This is confirmed by the instruction.
Reviews about drops "Stoptussin" for children
Reviews about the drug in drops for children are mostly positive. Many parents noted a beneficial effect after a few days of the treatment of compulsive cough in children. There was an improvement in the general well-being of the child, an improvement in the quality of sleep, and a quick sputum discharge, which contributed to the normalization of the state of acute respiratory viral infections and flu.
In some cases, parents noticed that the effect of therapy with this medication did not occur immediately, but after a certain period - about one week. Adverse reactions in children occurred extremely rarely, among them the most frequently observed urticaria, skin rash in young children and other allergic signs.
Specialists widely prescribe the drug in drops of "Stoptussin" with mild manifestations of SARS, accompanied by a dry cough. They note that this tool is safer than its synthetic analogues, and with moderate severity of colds, it should be used.
As for more complex cases of infectious pathologies, then doctors prescribe this cough remedy in combination with some antibacterial medications that suppress inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract in a child. Experts also recommend that before using the product, make sure that the child is not allergic to plant substances, since this drug often causes such side effects.
We reviewed the instructions for use with Stoptussin Cough Drops.