As you know, in children the immune system is not yet fully formed, and therefore they are more likely than others to undergo viral and other diseases. Therefore, very often with acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, influenza, parents immediately resort to antibiotics. However, experts argue that such diseases in the initial stage and proceeding in a mild form can be completely cured without drugs, which adversely affect the still immature body of the child. One such drug is the breast elixir. Instructions for use (for children and adults) of this tool will be presented later.
Description and packaging
Detailed instructions for the use of breast elixir are in a cardboard box, where the drug itself is enclosed in a bottle (25 ml) of orange glass.
The product in question goes on sale in the form of a brown liquid with a pronounced smell of ammonia and anise oil.
The composition of the medication
What are the active ingredients in the breast elixir? The instructions attached to the medicine, informs that it contains such active substances as:
- 20.7 g of a thick extract of licorice;
- 0.3 g of aniseed oil;
- 1.38 g of concentrated ammonia solution (28%).
As for the auxiliary ingredients, then they are:
- 90% ethyl alcohol (20.41 ml);
- purified water (bringing to 100 ml).
Drug properties
According to the instructions for the breast elixir, the drug in question is a medicine based on herbal components, which allows you to get rid of cough.
The main components of the drug have the following therapeutic properties:
- Thick licorice extract. Such a substance can have an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, antiviral, as well as antispasmodic effect.
- Ammonia water. This component is a local irritant.
- Anise oil This ingredient promotes expectoration.
Thus, by combining the three active substances, the breast elixir has a regenerating, restorative, anti-inflammatory immunostimulating and antiviral effect on the human body. Also, this drug quickly and efficiently relieves spasms of smooth muscles of the bronchi, dilutes and promotes the release of sputum, helps to soften dry cough.
How does it work?
How does the breast elixir affect the body? The instructions and reviews of experts report that the effectiveness of this expectorant is primarily due to the presence of such an active component as a thick extract of licorice. It is this ingredient that contains glycyrrhizin, which affects the work of ciliary epithelial cells located in the trachea and bronchi in a stimulating way. In addition, the said substance increases the secretion of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract.
The effect of the irritating effect of an aqueous solution of ammonia is explained by the launch of the mechanisms of sensitive nerve cells. Also, the chemical composition of this component contributes to reflex stimulation of the respiratory center.
The expectorant properties of anise oil are associated with the content of anethole in it. This substance increases the secretion of the mucous membrane of the larynx, trachea and bronchi, creates the effects of reflex stimulation of respiration, and also enhances the activity of ciliary epithelial cells.
Prescribing a drug
Why are breast elixir prescribed for children and adults? The instruction for use states that such a drug is actively used as an effective expectorant for diseases that are accompanied by sputum that is difficult to separate.
Most often, the medication in question is prescribed for:
- pharyngitis;
- tracheitis;
- laryngitis;
- acute, chronic and obstructive bronchitis;
- tracheobronchitis;
- flu
- pneumonia;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- chronic form of obstructive pulmonary disease;
- cystic fibrosis.
Contraindications for taking an expectorant
Is breast elixir contraindicated for pregnant women? The instructions for use report that, despite the herbal origin of this drug, it is forbidden to be taken by women in the position. This is due to the fact that the composition of the medication includes such substances as ammonia and ethyl alcohol, which can adversely affect the development of the fetus. It should also be noted that, for similar reasons, the medication in question is forbidden to be taken during breastfeeding.
In addition to the above cases, the breast elixir has the following contraindications:
- the presence of gastritis, especially in the acute stage;
- bronchial asthma;
- high sensitivity of the patient to the components of the drug;
- duodenal ulcer and stomach, especially during exacerbation.
With extreme caution, as well as under the supervision of a specialist, an expectorant is taken for liver diseases, head injury, alcoholism, brain pathologies, in childhood.
Chest elixir for cough: instructions for use
Usually, the drug in question is prescribed for children from 12 years old, as well as for adult patients. At this age, the medication is taken 20-40 drops, three or four times a day.
When treating a cough, it is extremely important to use a breast elixir strictly half an hour before a meal or an hour after. Due to the pungent smell and unpleasant taste of the medicine, before direct administration, the required amount of the drug should be dissolved in ordinary water.
Is it possible for children under 12 to give a breast elixir for coughing? The instruction does not contain such contraindications. However, experts argue that at this age, the child should be given herbal medication with extreme caution. In such cases, the drug is prescribed for babies at the rate of one drop for one year of life.
The duration of the course of therapy with a breast elixir is determined by the doctor individually.
Drug overdose and its drug interaction
What signs of overdose can occur with excessive use of breast elixir? The instruction attached to the tool reports that prolonged, as well as uncontrolled intake of such herbal remedies can cause the development of hypokalemia, increased blood pressure and the occurrence of peripheral edema. To eliminate these reactions, you should consult a doctor. The prescribed therapy in such cases should be fully consistent with the observed symptoms.
According to experts, if there is a need, then the drug in question with expectorant properties can be used in conjunction with antibiotics and other drugs. However, before starting treatment with a breast elixir, you should definitely refuse to take other medicines with an antitussive effect. This is due to the fact that taking the latter can contribute to complicating the process of sputum discharge.
Undesirable effects after taking an expectorant
Many people mistakenly believe that herbal preparations cannot cause adverse reactions. This is not true. Any medicines, including herbs, are highly concentrated products that should be taken strictly according to the instructions, taking into account the verified dosages and contraindications. Otherwise, the patient may experience a variety of undesirable effects.
The following conditions are related to side effects of the use of the breast elixir:
- diarrhea;
- nausea;
- an allergic reaction (skin rash, itching, or angioedema).
When taking an expectorant drug based on licorice root, it should be borne in mind that it contains 90% ethyl alcohol. According to the instructions, in one drop of this medicinal fluid contains the absolute amount of the aforementioned component, equal to 0.0075 g. In connection with the above, it must be remembered that the maximum single dose of the drug for adults can contain up to 0.3 g of ethanol, and the maximum daily - up to 1.2 g. Therefore, during treatment with a breast elixir, special care should be taken to persons who engage in potentially dangerous types of work, drive a car or plan to devote themselves to activities requiring high eye of concentration of attention and speed of psychomotor reactions.
Similar drugs
Is it possible to replace breast elixir with analogues? Instructions similar to the one in question have many herbal preparations. The cough medicines closest in therapeutic properties include the following: Doctor Mom, Altea (syrup), Pertussin, Bronchicum, Mukaltin, Gedelix, Prospan, Bronchipret, syrup licorice, "Herbion", "Eucabal", "Breast collection", etc.
Reviews
Judging by the reviews, which can be easily found in the vastness of the World Wide Web, many parents have been familiar with the breast elixir since their early childhood. Therefore, most of them with great pleasure use this effective and inexpensive medicine to treat their own children.
The positive aspects of such a drug, patients include its ease of use, herbal origin, as well as virtually no adverse reactions and a minimum list of contraindications. As for the negative reviews, only those that mention the presence of alcohol are noted among them. Many parents consider it dangerous to give a drug with this composition to children under 14 years of age. Also, driver drivers are indignant about this component.