Cough is a sign of a problem in the respiratory system, it develops for various reasons. Cough can occur with various infections, colds, allergic reactions. You can self-medicate only in case of a cold or with a mild degree of bronchitis. For all other health problems, consult a doctor.
General recommendations for the treatment of cough
There are wet and dry coughs. When dry, irritation of the mucous membrane occurs and a cough reflex is provoked. It develops for the following reasons:
- inflammation of the larynx and trachea;
- acute bronchitis;
- bronchial asthma;
- smokers cough;
- inhalation of caustic fumes;
- ingestion of foreign substances in the respiratory tract.
For the treatment of dry cough, drugs that inhibit the cough reflex are used. They can be narcotic and non-narcotic effects, affect different areas of the brain or directly to the respiratory tract receptors.
With a wet cough, expectorant drugs and mucolytic drugs are prescribed. They increase the secretion of mucus and thin it for better removal from the respiratory tract. With a wet cough, you can not use drugs that suppress the cough reflex. An expectorant for cough is used when it is necessary to evacuate the mucus secreted by the bronchi outward.
Codeine
Codeine inhibits the cough center in the brain. At the same time, it reduces respiratory activity, and with prolonged use, the drug can cause drug dependence. It can not be given to children under two years of age, pregnant women. From side effects: constipation, drowsiness. The drug can not be combined with alcohol, sleeping pills, painkillers and psychotropic drugs.
Codeine-based preparations:
- Caffetine
- "Neocodyon";
- "Kodipront";
- "Paracodamol";
- "Codterpin";
- "Solpadein."
Codeine is often part of complex-action cough preparations. For example, the drug "Codelac". An expectorant syrup, tablets, drops are available. The composition includes substances that increase the secretion of bronchial mucus and dilute it, expectorants.
Dextromethorphan
Dextromethorphan is an analogue of codeine of synthetic origin. It has fewer side effects, contraindications, and the compatibility is the same as that of codeine.
Dextromethorphan-based preparations:
- "Akodin";
- Mukodeks;
- Coldran;
- Coldrex Knight;
- "Flux";
- Atussin;
- Tussin Plus.
Non-narcotic antitussives
These drugs selectively inhibit the cough center. Not addictive, do not affect intestinal motility. When using, adverse reactions are possible: drowsiness, drop in blood pressure, nausea, diarrhea. These drugs can not be taken for children under three years of age and pregnant women.
- Glaucine hydrochloride (Broncholitin, Glauvent).
- Oxeladine (Tusupresk, Pakseladin).
- Butamirate citrate (Stoptussin, Sinecode).
Prenoxidiazine
Prenoxidiazine acts primarily at the level of receptors in the bronchi. It slightly slows down the cough center, has a local anesthetic effect and does not allow bronchospasm to develop. When pregnancy is prescribed with caution.
Prenoxdiazine-based preparations:
The tablets are swallowed without chewing, otherwise numbness of the tongue is possible.
With insufficient production of mucus in the bronchi with colds, expectorants are used for dry cough in combination with mucolytics and antitussive agents (with a strong, debilitating cough). Also, drugs that suppress the cough reflex are prescribed at night so that the cough does not interfere with the patient's sleep. In other cases, antitussive drugs are undesirable, as they will interfere with the removal of mucus from the respiratory tract.
Most drugs are a combination of several active ingredients. Many of them are available in several dosage forms: syrup, tablets, capsules.
Here are some of the most popular medications used to treat cough symptomatically.
Ambrobene
"Ambrobene" is available in the form of syrup, solution, in capsules and tablets.
The composition of the drug includes ambroxol hydrochloride, which is an analogue of bromhexine. It has the property of liquefying bronchial mucus, stimulating the epithelium of the respiratory tract to push the mucous secretion out. At treatment "Ambrobene" plentiful drink is recommended. You can not use the drug in the first trimester of pregnancy, with fructose intolerance and galactose malabsorption.
"Broncholitin"
Syrup "Broncholitin" contains glaucine and ephedrine. This drug has a combined bronchodilator and antitussive effect: selectively suppresses the cough center, expands the bronchi, eliminates swelling of the mucous membrane. Do not prescribe to children under three years of age, pregnant and lactating women, patients with impaired cardiac activity. The drug is prescription.
"Bronchicum"
The drug contains a liquid extract of thyme herb. It has an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator and antimicrobial effect. It reduces the viscosity of sputum and accelerates its coughing. Issued as an expectorant syrup or in the form of plant material for the preparation of infusion. Not recommended for pregnancy, gastritis, as well as children up to six months of age.
Coldrex
An expectorant-based syrup (guaifenesin). The drug stimulates the receptors of the stomach, increases the effectiveness of the cough reflex, improves the functioning of the ciliated epithelium of the bronchi. It has an enveloping and softening effect on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. It dilutes sputum, facilitates its discharge. Not prescribed for diseases of the stomach, children under three years of age. In case of an overdose, nausea, drowsiness and dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea are possible.
Stoptussin
Stoptussin is available in the form of syrup, tablets and drops. Contains guaifenesin and butamirate dihydrocytrate. It has a local anesthetic effect on the mucous membrane of the bronchi, reduces the cough reflex, dilutes sputum and enhances its secretion to the outside. You can not use these expectorant drugs with a dry cough during pregnancy and lactation, children under 6 months of age, with myasthenia gravis and in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Mukaltin
A remedy based on plant components (marshmallow root). It forms a film on the surface of the respiratory tract, softens the mucous membrane and enhances the effect of other drugs. It is recommended for patients with diseases of the stomach and intestines (gastritis, ulcer). It is good to combine with other drugs this expectorant for bronchitis, laryngitis and other diseases of the respiratory tract (for example, with sodium bicarbonate).
Cough tablets
Expectorant preparations for dry cough in the form of tablets contain thermopsis herb powder and sodium bicarbonate. Reflexively increase the cough, increase the secretion of mucus and thin it, stimulate the respiratory center. In case of an overdose, nausea and vomiting are possible. It should not be taken during pregnancy and lactation, children under 12 years.
What drugs can be given to children
Basically, all expectorant drugs for dry cough are prescribed for children from three years old. Until this age, you can only give such drugs:
- "Bronchicum";
- Linkas
- "Libexin" - as prescribed by the doctor;
- "Sinecode" (drops);
- Stoptussin.
Syrups or solutions are given to small children - it is easier to keep the dosage, in addition, flavoring agents are often included in the composition of the medicine.
Expectorant for children up to a year:
- "Ambrobene" - as prescribed by the doctor.
- Dry cough syrup for children.
When choosing a drug for the treatment of cough, it should be remembered that with a high temperature or a prolonged chronic process, you must consult a doctor.