A drug such as Ambrohexal (tablets) belongs to the category of mucolytics and expectorant drugs. The therapeutic effect is the dilution of sputum and the improvement of its excretion from the respiratory tract. The active substance is ambroxol.
Release form
The tablets are distinguished by their round shape, have beveled edges and a white tint. On one side of the capsules there is a dividing notch, thanks to which they can be broken into two parts. It is very convenient if there is a prescription to drink Ambrohexal in tablets in half. Their packaging contains only 20 pieces in 2 blisters.
The drug "Ambrohexal" (tablets, 30 mg) in addition to the main active substance of
Ambroxol hydrochloride in the specified concentration contains the following auxiliary components:
- 2 mg magnesium stearate;
- the same amount of colloidal silicon dioxide;
- 4 mg sodium carboxymethyl starch;
- 10 mg of corn starch;
- 50 mg of calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate;
- 102 mg of lactose monohydrate.
What gives the drug?
When taking, many are interested in the pharmacological effect of Ambrohexal (tablets). The instruction says that this mucolytic and expectorant gives such effects:
- through serous cells of the bronchial mucosa, the production of liquid sputum is enhanced;
- synthesis is initiated using enzyme cells, they also break down the internal molecular bonds of mucopolysaccharides, which are the basis of sputum and reduce its viscosity;
- along with it, various foreign components are removed that provoke a cough and an inflammatory process; this happens because the movement of the cilia of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract (mucociliary clearance) increases ; These include viruses, aggressive chemicals, allergens, bacteria and dust.
Means "Ambrohexal" (tablets) has the ability to accelerate the period of transformation of dry cough into a productive one, and slowly reduces its intensity. Its concentration in the human respiratory system, which is able to exert a therapeutic effect, is formed approximately half an hour after administration and persists for the next 10 hours. Then ambroxol (active substance) is inactivated in the liver and is split into metabolic products excreted in the urine through the kidneys. The period during which half of this substance is excreted is 12 hours.
Indications for use
The doctor prescribes Ambrohexal cough tablets in case of lung or airway disease accompanied by thick sputum, the elimination of which is problematic (often the patient also suffers from a dry cough). The list of such ailments is as follows:
- pneumonia (pneumonia) occurs due to the presence of various bacteria;
- infectious bronchitis (chronic or acute course) - with it the mucous membrane of the bronchi becomes inflamed, which is provoked by bacteria or viruses;
- bronchiectatic disease, which is a pathological chronic process characterized by a partial expansion of the bronchi and bronchioles (places of accumulation of viscous sputum);
- tracheitis - inflammation in the mucous membrane of the trachea that occurs due to infection and other causes;
- bronchial asthma (atopic bronchitis) - this pathology has an allergic origin, with it the bronchi narrow, and in their lumen thick sputum accumulates;
- cystic fibrosis - such a disease has a hereditary nature, is distinguished by its severity (characterized by the production of viscous sputum);
- obstructive chronic bronchitis - most often provoked by long irritation of the bronchial mucosa by smoking and the influence of various chemical compounds.
First of all, after taking the medicine, the protective function of the respiratory tract improves.
When should you not take Ambrohexal (tablets)?
The instruction for this drug contains information on possible contraindications to its use.
Treatment can aggravate the condition of the patient if you take the remedy in such cases:
- In the first trimester of pregnancy. The active substance of the tablet - ambroxol - penetrates the placenta through the placenta. A possible negative effect has not yet been clinically studied, so it is better not to risk taking the drug at this time.
- With ulcerative or erosive pathology of the gastric mucosa or the duodenum. The components of Ambrohexal can lead to cell damage in the ulcer region or erosion.
- With individual intolerance to the drug as a whole or its individual components (it can manifest itself in the form of general symptoms, for example weakness or headaches, skin rashes occur). In any of these cases, the treatment is canceled, and in the future the drug can not be taken.
In addition, Ambrohexal (tablets) is not recommended for drinking in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding. In case of emergency, the doctor may make an exception and prescribe them. This should be done only when the expected benefit exceeds the negative impact on the health of the unborn child. In other cases, the doctor, if necessary, can safely prescribe Ambrohexal to the patient.
Instructions for use
Cough tablets have their own characteristics in terms of dosage. You need to drink them whole, sometimes you should divide in two. You do not need to chew tablets, after taking them you should drink plenty of drinking water. 30 mg of the active substance contains the drug Ambrohexal (tablets). Instructions for use provide the following dosage depending on the age of the patient and the characteristics of the pathological process in the respiratory system:
- children from 2 to 6 years - half a tablet once a day (15 mg);
- from 6 years to 12 - the same amount twice or thrice a day;
- adults and children from 12 years after the start of therapeutic treatment for the first three days, you need to take one thing up to 3 times a day; on the following days, 1 tablet is prescribed twice in the morning and evening; if the expected effect does not occur, or if there is a fast individual metabolism of ambroxol in the liver, then the maximum dose of the drug is up to 2 pieces 2 times a day.
"Ambrohexal" in the form of tablets has a very high dosage range for the treatment of the disease, so the doctor can adjust the number of doses depending on the severity of pathologies or individual nuances of a person.
Can I give children?
For children, most often doctors prescribe a drug in the form of a syrup. But in the described form "Ambrohexal" (tablets) for children can be given after 2 years.
In syrup form, the dosage is as follows:
- up to two years give the drug twice a day at 7.5 mg;
- 2-5 years - the dose is similar, but the child needs to drink the medicine three times;
- 5-12 years - 15 mg three times a day;
- 12 and older - the first 3 days are prescribed 3 times 30 mg each, then - twice in the same dose.
Before giving a remedy to a child, make sure that the box contains instructions for use. Syrup should be drunk after eating. And during treatment, you should simultaneously drink a large amount of liquid (warm water, tea and juices are suitable). This enhances the mucolytic effect of Ambrohexal. The time of therapy depends on the severity of the illness of the child and can be determined by the pediatrician. Without his recommendation, the drug should be taken for a maximum of 5 days.
Possible side effects
The active substance of the drug - Ambroxol - is tolerated mostly well. But in some cases, side effects are observed. These include:
- The appearance of an allergic reaction both directly to a key component of the drug, and to any of the secondary. It can occur in the form of skin rash and itching. If the reaction is more pronounced, then urticaria begins to develop (a rash against the background of edema, resembling externally a burn from contact with nettles) or Quincke's edema (affects the skin and subcutaneous tissue in the face and outer genital organs). In some cases, anaphylactic shock is observed, which is the most severe form of allergy, which provokes a progressive drop in blood pressure and loss of consciousness.
- Impaired functioning of the digestive system. This is accompanied by vomiting, nausea, bloating and dry mucous membranes. Spastic pains may occasionally appear.
- Side effects from the nervous system, which are characterized by impaired taste.
- After taking the drug, the general condition worsens, it can be accompanied by weakness, fever, pain in the head.
There were also cases when severe skin lesions developed, such as Steven-Jones syndrome, after the use of Ambrohexal. But such phenomena are most likely associated not with the use of the drug, but with the underlying disease. If you notice any of the manifestations described above, stop taking the drug and consult a doctor immediately.
Features of the use of medicine for coughing
You need to carefully study how to take Ambrohexal (tablets) in order to prevent complications, and be sure to get specialist advice.
Before you start treatment with this drug, you should consider these features:
- as mentioned earlier, it is possible to give a remedy to pregnant women or nursing mothers, as well as children only with the consent of a specialist in certain situations;
- to reduce the negative effect of tablets on the mucous membranes of the duodenum and stomach, they should be taken only after eating;
- during the treatment with Ambrohexal, you need to drink as much fluid as possible, this will greatly facilitate the process of liquefaction of sputum;
- the therapeutic period using this drug lasts an average of about 5 days, if the dry cough does not stop and there is a continuation of stagnation of sputum in the bronchi, a specialist can extend it at his discretion;
- tablets can be successfully combined with other drugs, for example, they are able to increase the concentration of antibiotics in the sputum, and this allows the patient to get rid of a bacterial infection as soon as possible;
- the combination of Ambrohexal with cough suppressants that inhibit it is unacceptable, this provokes an accumulation of sputum in the bronchial tree and lungs;
- if there is a renal or hepatic pathology against the background of the underlying disease, a specialist should monitor their functional activity before prescribing the drug;
- This medicine does not affect the human reaction rate or attention in any way - it can be safely used by those who work in areas where a quick reaction and increased attention are important.
Ambrohexal tablets in pharmacies are available over-the-counter. But this does not mean that before you begin treatment, there is no need to get advice and recommendations of a doctor in this regard.
Possible effects of an overdose
The drug "Ambrohexal" has a wide range of possible dosages, as well as not too much toxicity. That is why with it there is practically no chance to have problems if the specified number of tablets is exceeded. But if the concentration of the drug in the blood rises significantly, then phenomena such as:
- diarrhea;
- nervous agitation;
- dry mucous membranes of the respiratory system and digestive system.
If the patient has noticed at least one of the listed symptoms, then he will urgently need to rinse the stomach and intestines, as well as conduct detoxification therapy.
Shelf life and approximate cost
The drug in the form of tablets can be stored for a maximum of two years. For this purpose, it is necessary to choose a place protected from light, the air temperature in which does not exceed the mark of 25 degrees. Be sure to ensure that the packaging with it is not available for children.
20 pieces of 30 mg tablets on average in pharmacies cost about 100 rubles.
Analogues of the drug
As mentioned earlier, the active substance of this medicine is ambroxol. It is also a major component of tools such as:
- "Lazolvan";
- Ambroxol;
- Flavamed
- Ambrobene
- Medox;
- "Bronchoxol" and others.
Ambrohexal: reviews
Pills, according to patients, are very good at treating bronchitis and other diseases in which cough is a key symptom.
It affects him many, both children and adults. In some cases, a cough is not even accompanied by fever and other symptoms. Most note the incredible effectiveness of this drug.
Do I need a recipe?
A prescription for the purchase of Ambrohexal is not required from a doctor, but it is better to consult with him regarding the appropriateness of using this particular drug, because with each patient the situation is always different.
As we can see, these pills are a very effective solution that allows you to quickly relieve a person of such an unpleasant symptom of a cold as a cough.