Cough is a cleansing function of the respiratory tract from extraneous components at a reflex level. Being a protective mechanism, it removes excess from the respiratory tract, cleans it of mechanical obstructions and restores patency across the entire surface of the mucosa.
The effect of cough on treatment
The choice of treatment methods and cough tablets depends on the causes of its appearance. There are several ways of coughing:
- appears due to infections;
- inflammatory reactions;
- under the influence of any allergen;
- due to mechanical irritants;
- reaction to chemical and thermal stimuli;
- a cough that is not related to the respiratory system and has a different nature of occurrence.
Causes of Cough
The occurrence of cough is a normal reaction to irritants, helping the respiratory system to cope on its own. Anxiety should cause a prolonged cough, which causes inconvenience and can lead to a number of complications.
Conducting an examination of the body in a medical institution will help determine the cause and, together with the doctor, select effective cough tablets.
Types of drugs used
Medicines manufactured by the pharmaceutical industry today can be divided into 6 subspecies:
- Drugs that inhibit the reflex function of the body at the central nervous system and are called the means of central exposure.
- Peripheral drugs that give a inhibitory signal directly to smooth muscles.
- Combined antitussive drugs.
- Mucolytics that act to thin the secretion and push it out of the body.
- Flour regulators that increase fluid in sputum to increase its volume to normalize viscosity.
- Expectorant cough tablets.
Treatment principles
Based on the causes of the disease and the manifesting symptoms, a wet and dry cough is distinguished. Manifestations of dry cough are eliminated by antitussive drugs. The use of mucolytic cough tablets according to the instructions in cases of wet cough is a priority. After liquefaction of sputum, its excretion is carried out using expectorant drugs.
Central action antitussive drugs
"Sinecode" - butamirate is used as the basis of the action. The drug is available in the form of drops for children from 2 months to 3 years, syrup - up to 6 years and dragees for other ages.
The dragee contains 20 mg of the active substance, in 5 ml of syrup - 7.5 mg, in 5 ml of drops - 25 mg. The drug suppresses the brain and disables the cough reflex. The therapeutic effect of the use of Sinecode, like most of the centrally used cough tablets, is to facilitate breathing with additional oxygen saturation of the organs. The medicine is used for dry cough, provoked by whooping cough, tracheitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis and pleurisy. Also, the medicine is used to suppress the reflex during surgical and diagnostic procedures. In order to avoid re-infection and lack of effect, the use of the drug simultaneously with mucolytic or expectorant drugs is unacceptable. Contraindications are use in newborns and in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. Perhaps the development of allergic reactions, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness.
Intussin has the same basic substance, butamirate. According to the instructions, cough tablets affect a dry cough of any genesis. The release forms are identical to Sinecode and have the same recommendations for use. A distinctive feature is complete absorption and achievement of maximum concentration within 90 minutes. Side effects such as nausea and vomiting are sometimes observed.
Peripheral antitussives
"Libexin" is an anesthetic with a pronounced bronchodilator effect with a blockage of the cough reflex. It is available in the form of tablets with the main substance - prenoxdiazine hydrochloride. It is used for pleurisy and pleuropneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, flu and colds. In accordance with the instructions for use, Libexin cough tablets are used in 1 dose at a dosage of 100 mg 3-4 times a day. In childhood, the daily amount of active substance is about 200 mg. The main contraindication to taking is profuse sputum. Using cough pills can cause nausea, numbness or dry mouth, stomach pain, and constipation.
Levopront is a well-known bronchodilator drug that suppresses the intensity and reduces the frequency of coughing. Used for infectious, inflammatory and allergic problems. Available in the form of syrups with a concentration of levodropropisin in the amount of 60 mg per 10 ml. It has an additional device in the form of a measuring cup with divisions. Adults consume 10 ml of syrup several times a day with an interval of 6 hours; for children, 1 mg of the drug per kilogram of weight is calculated. The suspension is not used during pregnancy and in children under 2 years of age.
Combined-action antitussive drugs
“Codelac” - the most famous cough tablets with thermopsis and licorice root.
The content of codeine gives reason to classify the drug as a drug. Due to the combination of plant and chemical components, the drug has a combined effect, expressed in antitussive, expectorant and analgesic effect with additional liquefaction of sputum and increased activity of the secretion in the bronchi. When applying, disruptions in the digestive and nervous systems are observed. Unacceptable treatment with cough tablets with thermopsis for children under 2 years of age, pregnant women, when controlling complex mechanisms, including motor vehicles. In addition to tablets, drops, elixir and syrup are produced with various dosages. Given the variety of types of "Codelac", the selection of funds must be entrusted to a specialist. Only the doctor will select the right dose and recommend a form of the drug that is acceptable to the patient.
"Stoptussin" is also a combined preparation both in content and in form of effect on the disease. A feature of the drug is a different composition, which depends on the age of the patient. In the syrup for children, only natural natural ingredients are present, and cough tablets and drops contain guaifenisin and butamirate dihydrocytrate. Active substances affect sputum and relieve bronchospasm. For children's form of medicine, the use of syrup is allowed for a year. Cough tablets can cause dizziness, nausea and associated loss of appetite, drowsiness, pain in the abdomen and chest.
Mucolytic agents of direct action
"Fluimucil" has a bright mucolytic effect. The tool is available in 3 versions:
- in the form of effervescent means - the most effective cough tablets for adults with an amount of acetylcysteine 600 mg;
- in the form of granules for children from 2 years old with a dose of 200 mg per pack;
- in a solution used for inhalation and injection, with a dosage of 100 mg per 1 ml of liquid.
It is used to facilitate the elimination of sputum, even with purulent discharge, has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. Sometimes used for rinsing or processing during surgical interventions. It is not advisable to take the drug for diseases of the stomach, asthma, phenylketonuria. According to the instructions for use, cough tablets are drunk 1 time per day, dissolved in 50 ml of water, granules are taken 2 to 3 times a day, depending on the age of the patient and the doctor's prescription.
“ACC” has a similar composition to “Fluimucil”, namely, the active substance is acetylcysteine. The product differs in a variety of release forms with various dosages from 100 to 600 mg, including syrup for children, not available in the line of the previous drug. Both drugs are contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation. What cough pills to choose if necessary to use a mucolytic? This is best suggested by the attending physician only. Most likely, the purpose will depend on the required dosage, since even the price of the drugs is almost the same, except for the effervescent version of cough tablets. Reviews reflecting the effectiveness in the treatment of drugs of this group are directly related to the volume of fluid drunk by the patient. Drinking plenty of water in combination with the drug immediately brings recovery.
Flour regulators as a means of indirect action
"Ambroxol" - highly effective cough tablets. Instructions for use describe the effect of the active substance ambroxol hydrochloride on reducing viscosity by increasing the fluid in sputum. Available in effervescent tablets and lozenges, containing 30 mg of ambroxol, and in syrup with a dose of 15 mg of substance in 5 ml of suspension. The drug is used in all age categories, including with respiratory disorders of newborns, in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. The drug is contraindicated in case of an ulcer, in the 1st trimester of pregnancy, with intolerance to the components. Reviews on Ambroxol cough tablets in most cases have a positive trend, since the drug is non-toxic and easily tolerated by patients. Very rarely, adverse reactions in the form of allergies or general weakness of the body can be observed.
"Bromhexine" has as its active component bromhexine hydrochloride.
According to the instructions for use, cough tablets are not the only form of the drug. They also produce a suspension, a solution for injection, as well as tablets for children with a reduced dosage. The tool is used for any diseases of the respiratory system associated with the formation of too viscous sputum. It is undesirable to prescribe the medicine to pregnant women, it is possible to use it in children before the age of two years under the strict supervision of a pediatrician. Injections are used in the postoperative period as a prophylactic. "Bromhexine" has virtually no side effects. But the treatment with cough tablets according to the instructions does not give an instant result, so the use of the drug without a doctor's prescription may not have the desired therapeutic effect and deceive the patient's expectations.
Expectorant preparations
"Travisil" is a preparation for resorption from a complex of natural plant components with the taste of honey and menthol.
The instructions for the use of Travisil cough tablets are classified as anti-inflammatory and expectorant. Course administration of the drug is prescribed 1 tablet 3 times a day for two to three weeks. The tool is not used in children under 6 years of age, during pregnancy and with intolerance to the components.
Drug selection
What cough tablets to use in each specific situation, you should not decide on your own. Typically, the choice of drug depends on many components, ranging from the degree and nature of the disease, symptoms and ending with financial capabilities. But the main task of the patient is to contact a competent specialist in order to prevent the development of complications.