An attack of bronchial asthma is a condition requiring emergency medical attention. As a rule, patients suffering from this disease have in their arsenal means to stop the attack. However, a more formidable pathology is the development of croup or an infectious-mediated inflammatory process of the upper respiratory tract in children. Due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure and functioning, friability of the submucosal layer and rich vascularization, in the inflammatory process, edema of the submucosal layer develops, blocking the airways of the child. Developed laryngospasm is a condition requiring emergency medical attention. Pulmicort is a medicine used to reduce swelling and facilitate breathing in this group of patients. Let's consider not only the drug itself, but also the Pulmicort analog for inhalations.
Pharmacological characteristics
Pulmicort is the trade name for a drug with the main active ingredient called budesonide. This is a glucocorticosteroid that has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect when applied topically.
Due to inhalation, budesonide penetrates both the initial and more distant parts of the bronchial tree, helping to reduce the swelling of the submucosal layer. When applied topically, budesonide does not have a systemic effect, which significantly reduces the frequency and severity of adverse reactions.
Indications for use
Pulmicort is used to treat bronchial asthma in the category of patients for whom the use of nebulization of the drug with compressed air or as a powder is unacceptable.
In addition, Pulmicort is used for stopping cereals in childhood (starting from 6 months) with further hospitalization in a medical institution.
Mode of application
Given that Pulmicort is a suspension for inhalation, the drug is administered using nebulizers, and the final effective dose that has an effect may vary depending on the device used.
In the case where the Pulmicort analog is used for inhalation in the form of a special inhaler, an effective dose for children can be achieved by injecting two or three doses of the drug into the inhalation mask. The latter can be made from a plastic bottle by cutting it from one edge. The resulting edge must be sealed with adhesive tape and cotton, and in the second - insert the inhaler. Thus, without using Pulmicort, analogues for children can be inhaled to small children through such a mask.
Side effects
The drug "Pulmicort", despite the local effect, is able to have a resorptive effect, and cause side effects characteristic of glucocorticosteroids. Of course, the frequency and severity of these effects with inhalation is much less than with systemic. Among such a systemic effect, one can note the growth retardation and development of children, a decrease in the density of bone substance and its mineralization. In addition, clouding of the lens, decreased visual acuity and increased intraocular pressure are likely.
Randomized studies have shown that Pulmicort with high frequency causes hoarseness or hoarseness of the voice, cough with irritation of the mucous membrane of the throat.
In view of the immunosuppressive effect and deposition of the drug on the surface of the mucous membrane of the oropharynx, the development of candidiasis is noted. For preventive purposes, it is necessary to rinse the mouth after each inhalation.
With a much lower frequency, Pulmicort can cause disorders of the nervous system, which are manifested by nervousness, anxiety, depressive and behavioral disorders.
Allergic reactions are single, manifested by skin rash, dermatitis. Very rarely, angioedema and shock are possible.
Contraindications
The use of the drug is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity, the occurrence of paradoxical bronchospasm. It is not recommended for use as a Pulmicort inhalation agent in patients with an open form of pulmonary tuberculosis, with infections of the fungal nature of the respiratory tract.
Pulmicort - analogues for children
To date, the pharmaceutical market has a large number of analogues of the drug Pulmicort. Among them are: “Apulein”, “Benacap”, “Benacort”, “Benarin”, “Budesonide”, “Bunoster” and many other drugs representing the Russian analogue of “Pulmicort” and incorporating glucocorticoid hormones.
But what if hormonal-based inhaled medicines are not to be used? You can use selective adrenomimetics, representing analogues (cheap) Pulmicort. Refusal from hormonal drugs is often due to poor patient awareness of the drug or its high cost.
Among non-hormonal drugs that are an analogue of Pulmicort for inhalation, beta-adrenergic agonists can be recommended: Salbutomol, Ventlin. This group of drugs, due to the peculiarities of the mechanism of action, does not contribute to the removal of puffiness, however, it helps to increase the lumen of the bronchial tree by expanding the smooth muscles of the bronchi.
As a combined drug, which can be used as an analogue of Pulmicort for inhalation, Seretide can be recommended. In its composition, this drug contains a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist salmeterol, as well as an inhaled glucocorticosteroid fluticasone propionate. The effectiveness of the use of this tool is achieved by expanding the lumen of the bronchial tree, as well as by providing a local anti-inflammatory effect on the bronchial tree. It is worth saying that Seretide is not a liquid for inhalation, it is a powder with a special inhaler. This requires careful attention to the procedure, however, this drug may well act as an analogue of Pulmicort for inhalation in a 4-year-old child.
The cost of Pulmicort and its analogues
Would you like to buy medicines in which the active substance is budesonide - Pulmicort, analogues? The price of the original drug is about 1000 rubles for 20 doses of 2 ml containing 0.25 mg / ml budesonide, and about 1400 rubles for 20 similar doses containing 0.5 mg / ml budesonide.
The price of drugs with a different mechanism of action may vary significantly. For example, Salbutamol aerosol for inhalation will cost only 95-100 rubles, and the combined Seretide in the form of an aerosol for inhalation will cost a little more than 2000 rubles.
Conclusion
With the help of the above medicines, relieving an attack of bronchial asthma or croup in children at home becomes not such a difficult procedure. It is important to remember that croup is a direct indication for hospitalization in a medical institution.
If after two or three inhalations of medicines the baby does not feel easier to breathe, be sure to call an ambulance and inform your doctor. And the last - if there is no way to buy a nebulizer, or it just wasn’t at hand at the right time, buy Pulmicort analogs (cheap).