Coughing is the main symptom of most colds. It is a reflex act, accompanied by a sharp contraction of the respiratory muscles and the subsequent release of air. The reflex is aimed at eliminating the stimulus from the trachea and bronchi. A painful cough causes discomfort, therefore, during the treatment of colds, antitussive drugs are prescribed. They not only alleviate the condition, but also improve sputum production - make a cough productive.
“ACC” is very popular, which is actively used to treat diseases accompanied by cough. The drug contains acetylcysteine - it is an active substance. A medicine is produced in the form of tablets, granules, and for children syrup is well suited.
Powder costs 150-200 rubles, and effervescent tablets - 270.
Act
Acetylcysteine affects the secretion of the bronchi and sinuses, breaking the bonds formed between the molecules of mucopolysaccharides. This helps to liquefy sputum, thereby improving the cleansing of the respiratory tract. In this case, the cough becomes wet, and it is easier to tolerate by patients than painful dry. In the sinuses of the nose, secretion is also diluted. An additional anti-inflammatory effect is due to the activation of immune cells. The active substance has high bioavailability, after 2 hours the maximum concentration is observed in the blood.
Indications
The medicine is effective for the treatment of conditions accompanied by increased secretion. These include diseases of the respiratory tract - bronchitis and bronchiolitis, tracheitis, asthma, bronchiectatic disease. It is also effective for the treatment of sinusitis and exudative otitis media. A positive result is observed when taking for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and laryngitis. This drug and similar drugs have such indications - often the analogue of “ACC” is cheaper.
Instructions for use
The drug is prescribed after a meal. Granules or effervescent tablets before administration should be dissolved in warm water - 100 ml. The daily dosage for children over 14 years old and adults is 400-600 mg. It should be divided into 2 or 3 doses. For children 6-12 years old, 300-400 mg / day is prescribed, and for babies 2-5 years old - 200-300 mg / day. The drug is also used to treat children from 10 years of age - 50 mg per day. The dosage is adjusted by the attending physician. As a rule, treatment is carried out for 7 days, but sometimes the course is increased.
Side effect
The drug has a small number of side effects. “ACC” can cause nausea, vomiting, and heartburn. From the nervous system, tinnitus and headache are possible. In addition, there are cases of increased blood pressure after applying the medicine.
Contraindications
The medicine “ACC” can be used by both adults and children. In what cases is it not worth appointing it? The drug is contraindicated if there are:
- allergy to components and fructose intolerance;
- pulmonary hemorrhage;
- peptic ulcer;
- severe renal and hepatic insufficiency.
The use of “ACC” during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended. At this time, the drug is prescribed only with the permission of a specialist for strict indications.
How to replace the "ACC"?
The drug is effective for treating cough. It improves sputum discharge, making a cough productive and less painful. The accelerated elimination of sputum from the respiratory tract is the key to a quick successful treatment. However, many are wondering if there is an analogue of “ACC” cheaper.
Abrol
The active substance of the drug (ambroxol hydrochloride) promotes the activation of serous cells in the glands of the bronchi, and also increases the formation of special enzymes responsible for the breakdown of mucopolysaccharides of sputum. The drug is characterized by a pronounced expectorant effect, which makes it a worthy replacement for “ACC”. "Abrol" tablets are suitable for the treatment of adults and children from 12 years old. As a rule, the doctor prescribes a course of 1 tablet 3 times / day. The effect occurs in the first week. In some cases, treatment is extended to 2 weeks. "Abrol" syrup can be used in childhood due to a more convenient form of release. The drug can be taken from 1 year. The medicine is usually well tolerated by patients, and the number of side effects is less than that of the “ACC”. With intolerance, an allergic reaction in the form of urticaria, which is characterized by skin rashes and itching, is possible. This is an indication for drug withdrawal. Dyspepsia is very rare, and the ailments of the central nervous system were not observed. Like its counterpart, "Abrol" is not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy, and in subsequent ones only with the permission of the doctor. The cost of tablets is 100-150 rubles.
"Lazolvan": price and features
The medicine is a clear or brownish solution that is used orally or for inhalation. The active substance is the same as that of Abrol. The drug helps to increase secretion and increases ciliary activity. It is contraindicated in case of intolerance, lactation and in the first trimester of pregnancy (2 and 3 - with caution under the supervision of a doctor). Ambroxol has the ability to penetrate the placental barrier, but the direct effect on the fetus has not been proven. However, it is recommended to use it during this period only for strict indications. A feature of the drug is such a side effect as a violation of taste perception, but it occurs quite rarely. The advantage of the drug is the absence of unwanted interactions with the drugs. It is able to enhance the penetration into the secret of the bronchi of amoxicillin, erythromycin and cefuroxin. Increasingly, experts recommend it is "Lazolvan." The price of it is 200-220 rubles.
Fluimucil
The active substance is acetylcysteine, as in “ACC”. The drug is available in the form of tablets and injections, which allows it to be used parenterally. The medicine is administered intramuscularly or intravenously. This provides a significant increase in bioavailability, as the drug penetrates directly into the blood, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the high tolerance to acetylcysteine, long courses of treatment are allowed. Contraindications are identical to “ACC”, and the list of indications is supplemented by pneumonia and cystic pulmonary fibrosis. Effervescent tablets contain aspartame, so this form is contraindicated in patients suffering from phenylketonuria. Effervescent tablets are sold at a price of 150-170 rubles, a solution of 120 rubles.
Mukaltin
This is a herbal preparation, since its composition contains polysaccharides from the medicinal moth. Such an analogue of “ACC” is cheaper than other drugs. Medicinal root extract stimulates the ciliated epithelium, resulting in increased secretion and improved sputum production. The drug is not toxic, and also has no irritating effect. You should not take the medicine in the presence of allergies, as well as with peptic ulcer and gastritis. Due to the presence of polysaccharides, it is prescribed with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus. “Fluimucil” or “Mukaltin” are a worthy replacement for “ACC”. The price is 20-30 rubles.
Mucosol
An effective medicine based on carbocysteine. The action is based on the activation of sialic transferase, which is an enzyme of goblet cells concentrated in the mucous membrane of the bronchi. Due to the stabilization of sialomucins and a decrease in the number of glycopeptides, a decrease in the viscosity of sputum occurs. It separates better, and the cough becomes less intense. Due to the secretion of immunoglobulin A, there is an increase in mucociliary clearance. A feature is that the active substance of the drug does not have an irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. "Mucosol" syrup is prescribed for pathologies of the broncho-pulmonary system, as well as for sinusitis. It should not be used for allergies, phenylketonuria (if aspartate is present), pregnancy, or renal failure. Also, for children under 12 years of age is contraindicated for granules. Carbocysteine often causes side effects such as nausea, epigastric pain and diarrhea. Cost - 150-190 rubles.
Bromhexine
The expectorant effect is due to the depolymerization of mucopolysaccharide molecules. In addition, the drug activates the production of surfactant, which increases the stability of alveolar cells. All this helps to protect the respiratory tract and improve the rheology of the secretion of the bronchi. The drug is used not only for bronchitis, asthma and bronchiectasis, but also for pneumonia, tuberculosis and emphysema. Among the contraindications are intolerance, pregnancy and lactation, as well as peptic ulcer. In addition, it is not recommended for patients with renal failure and gastric bleeding. "Bromhexine-Acre" can cause side effects (nausea, headache, dyspepsia). In the presence of an allergic reaction, skin rashes usually occur. Rhinitis and angioedema are less common . The price of tablets is about 150 rubles.
Antitussive drugs can significantly improve the patient's condition and speed up recovery. For this, acetylcysteine and the analogue of “ACC” can be used. It is cheaper to purchase analogues, but before that you should consult a doctor. Any medication requires specialist advice.