Cough is a natural reflex that is triggered by irritation of the bronchial mucosa. Thanks to this special reaction, the respiratory system is cleansed of mucus, foreign bodies, dust and various pathogens. To help the lungs resist infection, expectorants must be taken. To do this, it is not necessary to buy expensive drugs. Those who prefer to use proven means, you can recommend the drug "Pertussin." Instructions for its use will be discussed in detail in the article.
General information about the drug
Despite the fact that the pharmaceutical market is full of many different modern products, many people trust Pertussin’s composition more. The combined herbal preparation has been known since the time of our grandmothers. Many enjoy its taste, which is associated with childhood. For such a long time, he managed to establish himself as an effective tool that can cope even with severe bouts of coughing. Syrup covers a wide range of diseases for both adults and children. Judging by the reviews, Pertussin still remains popular among other medicines.
Release form
The drug can be purchased at any pharmacy, and it is dispensed without a prescription. Intended for oral use, sold in dark glass bottles in the form of syrup. Conveniently, it is found in different volumes - 100 and 50 ml. If the medicine was not enough for a certain course of treatment, you can always buy a small bottle. The packing box contains instructions for Pertussin with detailed instructions. The syrup itself has a dark color, sweet taste and smell with hints of thyme. In most cases, a measuring spoon is attached to the drug, with which it is easier to determine the dosage.
There is another type of medicine - Pertussin Ch, which is slightly different from the usual composition.
In what cases is prescribed?
When does Pertussin come to the rescue? What cough is the remedy for? From asphyxiating, debilitating and even spastic cough (whooping cough). Due to its complex action, the drug is often prescribed to accelerate the release of viscous secretions. When a doctor sees a risk of airway injuries, he can prescribe this drug to reduce the activity of the body's defensive reaction. The need for such an action also arises in patients with an overdeveloped gag reflex.
Unproductive cough, as a rule, is accompanied by difficulties in discharge of bronchial secretions. The drug promotes enhanced mucus production, liquefaction and excretion of the exudate through the respiratory tract.
In almost all colds and inflammatory diseases with the presence of cough, sputum is formed. An expectorant medicine will do a good job of changing its texture and clearing the respiratory tract.
It is important to know that a disease such as coughing is not always triggered by inflammation of the respiratory system. Before starting treatment, you need to know your diagnosis exactly. If your problem is not related to the conditions mentioned, then an expectorant may not be of any benefit.
From what cough “Pertussin also helps and for which diseases it is prescribed, is listed below in the testimony.
Act
The combined remedy belongs to the class of herbal remedies. The medicinal herb, which is part of it, can have a strong effect on the formation, liquefaction and excretion of sputum. An unbearable dry cough gradually turns into a wet one, the patient feels significant relief and recovers faster.
The natural component has a mucolytic effect. This means that it contributes to the production of active substances that positively affect the respiratory system. They promote the accumulation of very thick and dense sputum, changing their viscosity. In this case, the mucous membrane of the bronchi begins to secrete an increased amount of secretion, ensuring normal discharge of sputum.
The value and effectiveness of this medicine lies in its analgesic effect, which is especially good for treating young children.
Cough syrup has antispasmodic and antibacterial properties. Moreover, it acts very gently. Due to its effect on nerve endings, a reflex reaction is suppressed, and coughing fits are reduced. Full breathing and normal sleep are restored, which is important for the general condition of the patient.
As the instructions show, Pertussin has high bioavailability. Penetrating deep into the lungs, it instantly has a healing effect. The process of splitting the main components takes place in the liver, inactive metabolites are excreted by the kidneys.
Structure
The therapeutic effect of the drug is due to the fact that its components interact with each other and only in the aggregate can have a good expectorant effect.
The composition of "Pertussin" includes:
- Thyme or creeping thyme. The extract of the main component contains oil rich in phenols (carvacrol and thymol), which contributes to an increase in secretory secretions, their dilution, and rapid elimination.
- The second active substance is potassium bromide. Since the medicine contains only one percent, it does not cause special harm to health. The component calms the nervous system, thereby reducing the frequency of coughing attacks.
- Ethyl alcohol is an additional component that has a direct effect on the core. In particular, it activates the work of the main substances in the plant.
- Sugar syrup has been added as a preservative. It is he who gives the medicine a characteristic pleasant taste.
As for the second type of drug, their differences are not significant. This becomes apparent when comparing instructions. Pertussin Classic contains ethyl alcohol, and the drug marked “Ch” contains ethanol. Also, it contains purified water and 64% sucrose solution.
Indications
Expectorant syrup refers to symptomatic medicines and does not eliminate the cause of the disease. However, when the disease progresses, it is impossible to do without expectorants. They facilitate the course of processes associated with cleansing the respiratory system from infection, especially with a dry cough. Since the nature of the cough is the same for many ailments, in many cases, experts prescribe Pertussin. Indications for cough syrup are the following conditions:
- flu;
- whooping cough;
- laryngitis;
- ARVI;
- bronchitis;
- laryngotracheitis;
- bronchiolitis;
- tracheitis;
- pneumonia.
Sometimes a drug is prescribed for tuberculosis and bronchial asthma. Based on the contents of the instructions, "Pertussin" is prescribed for almost all inflammatory processes of the respiratory tract. Mucolytic and antimicrobial actions are noticeable at the first stage of the treatment course. It would be a big mistake to stop treatment immediately after the cough recedes. Such treatment cannot be called full, and it is fraught with consequences. The disease can acquire a chronic form or lead to various pathologies.
Contraindications and side effects
Like most medicines, healing syrup also has contraindications. It should be noted right away that during pregnancy Pertussin is not prescribed. Its use can lead to an increase in the tone of the uterus, which poses a great danger to the fetus. It increases blood pressure and can adversely affect embryo development. Conditions in which you cannot take an expectorant syrup include the following:
- poor tolerance of sugars;
- liver disease
- lactation period;
- epilepsy;
- hypersensitivity;
- alcoholism;
- skull injuries and brain diseases.
Side effects are usually observed with prolonged use of the drug. These include:
- skin rashes;
- ataxia;
- bromism;
- malaise;
- slow heartbeat;
- gastroenterocolitis;
- rhinitis.
Useful properties of the drug persist for 3 years. Storage temperature should not exceed more than 25 0 C. After the expiration of the allotted period, the medicine can not be used. If kept in the light, it will lose its healing qualities ahead of time. The potion should be hidden from the kids, as many of them are attracted to its taste. Abuse of syrup can lead to disastrous consequences.
Application
It is necessary to clearly follow all the recommendations indicated in the instructions for use of Pertussin. Syrup will only benefit if the correct dosage is observed. Skipping medications or interrupting treatment can even hurt.
The therapeutic course does not cause inconvenience, since it does not bind the medication to food intake. In order for the mixture to produce the desired result, it does not need to be washed down with water.
Sometimes the doctor prescribes the daily norm of the medicine individually. With such prescriptions, the presence of ailments existing in the patient at the time of illness is taken into account. Some deviation from the dosage of “Pertussin” indicated in the instructions is allowed, slightly different from the standard. In chronic liver diseases, treatment with a mucolytic agent should be under the supervision of a specialist who will adjust the medication and, if necessary, change the appointment.
Age is a decisive factor in determining the dosage for the use of Pertussin. Adults are shown to take 2 tablespoons of the medicine three times a day, at the same time. If the duration of treatment exceeds the period specified in the instructions, it will cause addiction and side effects. Only moderate use of syrup will have the proper effect.
Antitussive drugs along with syrup are not used, as this will reduce sputum discharge. These include: "Sinekod", "Stoptussin", "Codelac", "Libexin", "Terpinkod". In exceptional cases, complex treatment may be required. Then the expectorant syrup is taken in the morning, and the funds listed are taken in the evening. Combination with general strengthening and antipyretic drugs is allowed.
With an overdose of the medicine, the patient may feel nausea, which responds well to treatment and passes quickly.
For children
Among the many drugs produced for children, Pertussin syrup is the most enjoyable. Many children love him and do not perceive it as a medicine. Thick and sweet medicine replaces desserts in the children's sense. If the child likes it, this will help parents avoid unnecessary persuasion, which they have to resort to when treating with bitter means.
Children under the age of Pertussin are not recommended to give because of the content of ethyl alcohol in it. In the reviews there is information that some parents treated babies, reducing the dose of the drug to half a teaspoon. In some cases, everything went without side effects. But such treatment should be carried out with great care. Another reason an expectorant is contraindicated is that it contains potassium bromide. The accumulation of this substance in young children can lead to the development of bromism.
Potions have different effects on a child’s appetite. In some, it rises due to ethanol. You should not be afraid of this, because the concentration of this substance prescribed by pharmacists does not threaten the baby's health. It happens that during treatment the child becomes lethargic and reluctant to eat. How to take Pertussin in this condition? To restore appetite, some experts advise taking the medicine after meals.
How to treat a child?
Treatment of the baby should begin from the first days of the disease. If inflammation of the respiratory tract is accompanied by fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, you need to take care of taking more serious drugs. Children are prescribed an expectorant syrup for the same symptoms as adults. Usually the course of treatment is no more than two weeks. Depending on the degree of the disease, it may vary. Below is a chart of how to take Pertussin:
- For preschool children, the recommended dose is 1 scoop per day. Toddlers are recommended to dilute the potion with water.
- Up to 12 years, the dose is increased from 1 to 2 measured spoons, as the child grows older.
- Teenagers can take one dessert spoon.
- If the doctor has allowed the drug to be taken up to 3 years, then you need to limit yourself to ½ part of a teaspoon three times a day. At any age, the drug should be taken three times a day.
It is worth considering that children, usually suffering an overdose worse than adults. This can be expressed in symptoms such as weakness, bradycardia, impaired coordination of movements, skin rash, general malaise, rhinitis, inflammation of the digestive system, conjunctivitis. The drug is canceled as soon as the first negative signs have been noticed. Despite its natural composition, Pertussin can be given to children only on the recommendation of a pediatrician.
Individual intolerance can cause spontaneous lowering of pressure or shortness of breath.
You need to carefully monitor the behavior of the child: does he feel discomfort and does he have redness on the skin. If he develops itching and redness, an allergic reaction to one of the components of the drug may have occurred.
Fortunately, all these conditions in infants are extremely rare. In most cases, for children, Pertussin syrup is an indispensable medicine. It is easy to carry, affordable and relatively inexpensive.
If Pertussin still did not fit the child, the doctor may prescribe another drug. By the presence of the active substance, the syrup has no analogues. But according to the principle of action, such are available. Here are some of them: Doctor Mom, Herbion, Linkas Lor, Amtersol, Travisil, Kodelak Broncho.
It happens that after several days of using the drug in a patient's condition, nothing changes. This may occur due to the individual characteristics of the body. Even with absolutely identical diagnoses, a remedy that is suitable for one person does not always help another.
Reviews
Many people consider expectorant cough syrup to be their salvation. Most often it is used by parents to treat babies. It is difficult to find negative information in the reviews about Pertussin. Many people write that it helps even with lingering cough, whooping cough and suffocation. Regarding the taste - everything is clear here, if only to hide the potion away from children. In general, the drug is referred to as inexpensive and effective.
Finally
Having studied the instructions for use of Pertussin syrup, we can draw the appropriate conclusions. Firstly, the drug can rightly be called a unique medicine. Unlike others, it is not nasty and has a lot of therapeutic advantages. Secondly, it is popular and time-tested.