Which of us is not familiar with a problem like coughing? By itself, it’s not very dangerous, although, of course, there is little pleasant in the eternal tickle in the throat and the so-called lump. But the fact is that, firstly, a cough is often a concomitant symptom of a disease, and secondly, even starting just as an innocent cough, it can develop into something more. Say, in bronchitis - and it’s more difficult to treat it. In order to make life easier for potential patients, there are many medications, among which are expectorant drugs. What they are, what are the features and price category of each - is described below.
What do you mean - expectorant
The cough is wet and dry. If the cough is wet, it means that in our respiratory tract, lungs, bronchi - in general, in the respiratory organs - sputum has accumulated, in which all kinds of bacteria have found a place to live. And the longer the sputum is in our body, the greater the chances of microbes to spread qualitatively through it. In order to remove phlegm, it needs to be coughed up - the very pieces of yellowish mucus that come out with a wet cough, this is sputum. And special medications called expectorant help to cope with it. They will be discussed further.
Why expectorant medicines
The funds prescribed for coughing are divided into three types - antitussive, they are aimed at stopping the cough itself, mucolytics, which help thin the sputum, and expectorant drugs, with whose help sputum is removed from the respiratory system. As mentioned above, a cough is dry and wet. With a dry, really dry cough, there is usually nothing to expectorate, therefore, as a rule, only antitussive medicines are prescribed. However, if the cough resembles a cross between dry and wet (that is, it is acceptable to call it wet), and, accordingly, it is necessary to dilute the accumulated sputum and facilitate its withdrawal, expectorants will become an indispensable assistant, since it is precisely this action that they have - liquefaction and expectoration. They make thinner mucus thinner, which interferes with normal breathing and promotes coughing, and does not allow it to attach to the walls of the respiratory tract.
In addition to a wet cough, such expectorant and sputum-thinning drugs are prescribed for bronchitis, pneumonia, acute viral infections and the like. By the way, it’s worth thinking about this: one hundred percent it makes sense to take medications only if the sputum has firmly settled in the body and does not want to part with it. Such sputum is called difficult to separate, and it is in combination with a wet cough that is a direct indication for taking thinning and expectorant drugs. In the same case, if the accumulated mucus clears its throat easily, it is not advisable for everyone to drink medicines.
It's important to know
In no case should antitussive drugs be mixed with expectorants and mucolytics, so if one is prescribed, you should not drink the second at the same time. The exceptions are drugs, which are a combination of all these three effects, but this is a completely different case and, as they say, a different story.
If a person has the flu or a cold with a dry cough, neither mucolytics nor expectorant drugs are shown to him, which, however, has also been mentioned above. By the way, as a rule, they first drink mucolytics to make sputum less viscous, and only then go on to expectorant medicines. And if such medicines are prescribed, then it is very important and simply necessary to consume the fluids as often as possible - tea, fruit drink, compote, juice, of course, ordinary water.
What are expectorant drugs?
Despite the fact that all drugs, which will be discussed later, are expectorant, the principle of action in them is very different. So, funds aimed at liquefying sputum do, surprisingly, this is exactly what. And medicines, whose goal is to activate the bronchial tubes, increase peristalsis in them. There are expectorant drugs that expand the bronchi, eliminating cramps that interfere with breathing and the release of sputum. Spasms in the bronchi often occur in babies - this is indicated by their wheezing.
In addition, effective expectorant drugs are peripheral. This means that they stimulate the receptors of the respiratory tract, liquefying sputum and promoting its release. With bronchitis, expectorant drugs can irritate the stomach, increase its peristalsis (but do not cause vomiting and nausea). These are herbal medicines based on coltsfoot, thyme, plantain, and so on. Not only the stomach, but also the bronchi can irritate medications, thereby increasing secretion and producing sputum. These are mainly drugs such as potassium iodide or ammonium chloride. By the way, one should not be surprised if the word “secretolytic” is written on the packaging of an expectorant. This is one of the names of these medicines.
We drink and do not get sick
What are the best expectorant medications? Which have the fastest effect, and which the longest? Which expectorant drugs are inexpensive but effective? We will try to give a detailed answer below to these and other questions.
The first thing to talk about is herbal medicines. Such drugs have fairly good tolerance, they are completely harmless and safe. The best reviews are regularly given ivy-based medicines. They can rightly be classified as the best expectorant drugs. They have not only an expectorant, but also a mucolytic, as well as an antispasmodic effect. Many of these drugs are allowed even to infants and their mothers during lactation, in addition, even pregnant women are not forbidden to take them. An interesting feature of these medicines is that they are essentially universal - they are prescribed for any type of cough, even if it is dry, even wet. Therefore, these drugs can be considered both antitussive and expectorant drugs. Such products include Prospan, Herbion, and Gedelix. About each below will be discussed a little more.
In the meantime, back to other inexpensive, but effective expectorant drugs. These are plantain-based products, which, like their "ivy" colleagues, affect any type of cough. Most of them are also allowed for breastfeeding and pregnancy. Medicines with thyme are successfully used for both types of cough, have all available methods of exposure, and in addition, they have an antimicrobial effect. Not all of them are allowed for pregnant and lactating women, but, for example, Bronchicum lozenges can accept these categories of citizens. One cannot fail to mention such an interesting medication as Bronchipret, which combines ivy and thyme and is an effective expectorant. Those who need a low price can pay close attention to marshmallow syrup and the Mukaltin medication based on it. These drugs are fairly inexpensive expectorant drugs.
There are many more medicines that have an expectorant effect and are indicated for wet and / or dry coughs. Pectusin, Stoptussin, breast elixir, Amtersol, breast collection and a million others. As promised above, it will be described below in detail about some of these tools, because it is impossible to tell about all in one article.
"Prospan"
The first in the list of expectorant drugs is Prospan, an ivy-based herbal medicine. It is an indispensable tool in the treatment of bronchitis, bronchial asthma, severe cough with hard-releasing sputum. A medicine is produced in the form of syrup in bottles of different sizes. A bottle of one hundred milliliters will cost about three hundred rubles.
"Prospan" is allowed for both children and adults. The latter can take it three times a day, five to seven milliliters, the first two and a half milliliters three times a day (if the age is from one year to six years), and five milliliters the same number of times a day, if the age varies interval from six to ten years. Children over ten drink Prospan in the same volume as adults; for children up to a year, the drug is contraindicated.
It is not recommended to take the medicine for more than seven days. Overdoses are rare, in their cases nausea, vomiting, diarrhea are noted. Among the side effects of the medication are allergic reactions, laxative effect. Its reception is not recommended for people with individual intolerance to components and fructose, as for pregnant and lactating, the decision about whether to drink or not to drink the drug should be made only after consulting with your doctor.
"Herbion" (ivy)
Good expectorant remedies are Herbion preparations based on ivy or plantain. Both of them are prescribed for bronchitis, tracheitis and other diseases, accompanied by severe cough with sputum. "Herbion" based on ivy is available in the form of sugar-free syrup, indicated for use by adults and children from the age of two. During treatment with this product, it is advisable to drink a lot of warm tea or warm water (the usual course is seven days).
Children from two to five years old can take "Herbion" on the basis of ivy half a spoon twice a day, from six to twelve - the same number of times, but for a whole spoon. The dose for children over twelve and adults is from one to one and a half tablespoons. However, it should be remembered that Herbion has side effects: allergic reactions, nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. Also, taking the drug is not recommended for those who suffer from fructose intolerance and / or Herbion components, pregnant and lactating mothers.
Gedelix
In bottles of one hundred milliliters, Gedelix syrup is also produced, which is prohibited for use in case of allergies to the components of the drug and metabolic disorders in the urea cycle, as well as during pregnancy and lactation. The treatment cycle should not be more than a few days (except in exceptional cases, discussed with a specialist). It is also strongly recommended that you do not give Gedelix to babies up to four years old without first consulting a doctor. If the doctor has allowed syrup to be used, then the dose for crumbs up to a year should not be higher than half a spoon once a day, and for children from one to four years old - not higher than the same amount three times a day. Children under ten years old can drink Gedelix four times a day in the same volume, starting from ten years a single dose is one spoon three times a day. This drug is best to drink plenty of plain water.
Side effects possible with this drug are allergies, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. An overdose does not pose any danger if the dose is exceeded by a couple of spoons, in case of taking a larger amount, you should definitely see a specialist. Those who suffer from ulcers or gastritis, it is better to refrain from taking the medication.
"Herbion" (plantain)
Herbion on the basis of ivy "Herbion" with plantain favorably differs from its fellow "Herbion" by a milder effect on the mucosa. It envelops the lungs, bronchi, larynx, helping to disappear inflammation, and sputum - successfully go outside. "Herbion" on plantain refers to expectorant drugs with a dry cough, but it is often prescribed with a wet cough. In addition to plantain, the composition of the drug includes water mallow and vitamin C, which makes it possible to use it as a prophylactic. Herbion can be treated by all those who have reached the age of two years.
As a rule, the duration of the drug does not exceed five to seven days, during which crumbs from two to seven years three times a day must be given one spoonful of the drug; children from seven to fourteen - two tablespoons the same number of times, and to everyone who is more than fourteen - from three to five tablespoons at a time three times a day. Contraindications to the use of "Herbion" with plantain are intolerance to components, intestinal diseases, ulcers, diabetes, intolerance to fructose, sucrose deficiency, lactation and pregnancy. A syrup in a bottle the size of one hundred and fifty milliliters costs within two hundred and fifty rubles.
"Bronchicum" (lozenges)
The price of Bronchicum lozenges varies from one hundred eighty to two hundred and more rubles. It is prescribed for bronchitis, cough with sputum, colds, flu, any respiratory tract infections, laryngitis. Using the essential oil contained in thyme extract, Bronchicum in lozenges minimizes edema and inflammation of the mucous membrane, and also provokes a quick sputum and suppresses cough. Thus, it can be said that lozenges have all three available effects on the body.
"Bronchicum" in lozenges is a remedy approved for use by any category of patients, with the exception of only those who suffer from hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. It is recommended to dissolve one or two lozenges at a time throughout the day to achieve the desired effect.
Bronchipret
What expectorant drugs are there? Of course, Bronchipret, as mentioned earlier, is a combination of ivy and thyme extracts. There are three whole forms of this medication - drops, tablets and syrup, which is very convenient - everyone can choose the option that suits him best. There is an insignificant difference between all three types of Bronchipret. So, drops have a more mucolytic than expectorant effect, in addition, they have an antibacterial and antifungal effect. Drops are indicated for use from the age of six four times a day half an hour after eating in the following volume: forty drops for adults, twenty eight for children from twelve to eighteen, and twenty five for children from six to twelve years old.
As part of the Bronchipret tablets, in addition to thyme, there is also a primrose extract. The first is anti-inflammatory, the second has an expectorant effect. It is believed that this form of "Bronchipret" is best suited as an expectorant. Pills are allowed to drink only from the age of twelve. Unlike drops, they are taken before meals (also for half an hour) three times a day, one thing at a time, they need to be washed down with a small amount of water. Well, and finally, Bronchipret syrup - its main feature is that it is, by and large, one of the expectorant preparations for children. Unlike drops containing tincture of ivy leaves, an extract of this plant is present in the syrup. This form of medicine is more pleasant and tastes, but because it suits children well. It is prescribed, as a rule, to babies from three months of age and up to six years, although, of course, older people (even adults) can drink syrup. Take the medication after a meal, be sure to drink it with water. If the product is indicated for a baby up to one year old and weighing less than ten kilograms, ten to sixteen drops should be given to the baby three times a day. After reaching the age of one year, the volume of the medicine is calculated according to the weight of the child, and the doctor should determine the exact number of drops.
"Bronchipret" in any form should not be taken by pregnant women, nursing mothers, suffering from diseases of the liver, brain (including epileptics), babies up to three months old, people with individual intolerance to the components of the product. As for the cost of the medicine, it varies somewhat: syrup costs from one hundred twenty to two hundred and seventy rubles, tablets in the region of one hundred sixty for twenty pieces, drops - about one hundred ninety - two hundred and fifty rubles.
Mukaltin
The basis of this inexpensive expectorant drug is the medicinal herb of marshmallows, which has not only an expectorant, but also anti-inflammatory effect. Due to this property, Althea treats not only cough, but also ulcers, gastritis and many other diseases. As for the cough, you can drink "Mukaltin" with both wet and dry forms.Laryngitis, tuberculosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma - a medication is indicated for all these diseases that cause coughing. There are many expectorant drugs, but Mukaltin compares favorably with everyone, firstly, by its low cost (up to fifty rubles), secondly, by the patient’s lack of addiction to it, and thirdly, by excellent tolerance. Incredibly rare are the side effects on the remedy - an allergy or reactions from the gastrointestinal tract. "Mukaltin" can be drunk by pregnant women, but crumbs can not be up to a year.
They are treated with "Mukaltin" for no more than two weeks. Adults should take one or two tablets at least three times a day (preferably four). Children under three years old can drink half a tablet of the medicine three times a day, from three to twelve - a whole tablet as many times a day. Mukaltin dissolves in the mouth about an hour before a meal.
"Lazolvan"
"Lazolvan" is based on ambroxol, which is famous for its expectorant, secretolytic, antimicrobial action. The medicine in the form of tablets, lozenges, baby syrup, solution for inhalation and solution for internal use is an excellent remedy for pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, laryngitis, cystic fibrosis, chronic rhinitis and so on.
Lazolvan syrup is indicated for babies from two to six years old, half a teaspoon three times a day, six to twelve - a teaspoon two to three times a day, from twelve and older - two teaspoons three times a day. The tablet form of the medication is allowed to be used exclusively by adults - after eating three times a day, one tablet. The solution for internal administration is allowed from the age of two. Its dosages are as follows: three times a day to everyone, regardless of age, in volume - for children two to six years old, twenty-five drops, over six - fifty drops, for adults - one hundred drops. Inhalations of "Lazolvan" can be done by adults once a day, one or two inhalations of two to three milliliters, for children under six years of age - in the same way, but two milliliters. In children older than six years, the dosage coincides with the adult.
Among the side effects of Lazolvan are allergic manifestations, heartburn, vomiting, and nausea. You can not take the drug with intolerance to the components, as well as in the early stages of pregnancy (in the first trimester).
Among the huge variety of medicines it is very easy to get lost. However, we hope that, having a little understanding of the list of expectorant drugs on the Russian market, everyone can find what they need for themselves.