The respiratory system plays one of the most important roles in the human body. Due to its smooth operation, the process of respiration occurs, as a result of which the blood is saturated with oxygen. This system also performs a number of other functions, namely: it moisturizes the air entering the body, controls thermoregulation, participates in voice formation, smell and hormone synthesis, protects a person from negative environmental factors, etc.
The respiratory tract more often than others face various diseases. Every year, a large number of people suffer laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, tracheitis, pneumonia, etc. If untimely treatment of such pathologies, especially in young children, serious complications can occur, and sometimes even death. In this regard, experts recommend immediately consult a doctor if the patient has the following symptoms:
- hemoptysis;
- cough;
- pain behind the sternum;
- suffocation;
- dyspnea.
Very often, with pathologies of the respiratory system, specialists prescribe the drug Ambrohexal. For inhalation, this German-made product is often used in pediatrics.
Dosage form, description, composition
"Ambrohexal" - a solution intended for inhalation procedures. It is a clear, colorless liquid that is placed in a dark glass dropper bottle.
The active component of this medication is Ambroxol hydrochloride. Also, the composition of the drug includes additional ingredients in the form of sodium disulfate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, sodium hydroxide, citric acid and purified water.
Drug properties
According to the instructions, Ambrohexal is ideal for inhalation. It is intended for thinning sputum and exhibits mucolytic as well as expectorant properties.
The therapeutic effect after using this medication occurs after half an hour. As for the duration of action, it depends on the prescribed dosage (approximately 6-12 hours).
Operating principle
The composition of Ambrohexal includes such an active substance as Ambroxol hydrochloride. It is an organic compound that causes expectorant, secretolytic and secretomotor effects. Due to the depolymerization of mucopolysaccharides that are contained in sputum and the breaking of disulfide bonds in the molecules, this medicine not only reduces the viscosity of mucus, but also normalizes serous matter, removes bacterial agents, increases the activity of ciliated epithelium, and also helps expectorate pathogenic contents in the respiratory tract.
By acting directly on Clark's cells, which are located in the lungs, Ambrohexal (the price of the drug will be indicated below) activates a surfactant, that is, a surfactant that prevents the alveoli from falling off during exhalation.
Pharmacokinetics of the drug
For inhalation, Ambrohexal is used very often. After the treatment procedure, the degree of absorption of this medicine is approximately 25-30% of the dose used. The drug is maximally concentrated in the lungs. In this case, it decomposes and forms metabolites (dibromanthranilic acid and glucuronides), which are subsequently excreted by the kidneys.
Communication with plasma proteins after taking Ambrohexal is 80-90%. Approximately 90% of the drug is excreted in the form of metabolites by the renal system, and 10% is unchanged.
Due to the slow spread of the drug from the tissues to the blood, a high connection with plasma proteins and a large volume of distribution, with forced diuresis and in the course of hemodialysis, the drug is not released.
If the patient has severe liver diseases, the clearance of the agent in question can be reduced by 20-40%. It should also be noted that with severe renal pathologies, the half-life of Ambrohexal metabolites increases.
According to the instructions, such a medication for inhalation penetrates well into the cerebrospinal fluid, as well as into breast milk and passes through the placenta.
In what situations are they used?
Under what conditions can a patient be prescribed Ambrohexal for oral administration and inhalation? Experts say that such a medication is used in the presence of pathologies of the respiratory system of acute or chronic course, which proceed with a violation of the formation / discharge of sputum. Also, the medication has the following indications for use:
- bronchiectatic disease;
- acute bronchitis;
- bronchial asthma;
- chronic bronchitis of unknown etiology;
- COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- respiratory distress syndrome (for treatment and prevention);
- pneumonia of bacterial etiology.
The use of Ambrohexal for inhalation
Use such a drug for inhalation procedures is possible only after consulting a doctor and strictly for its intended purpose. It should be remembered that 1 milliliter of this medicine is equal to 20 drops.
At what dosage is Ambrohexal prescribed for children? For inhalation, children under five are recommended to use 2 ml of the drug (40 drops) once or twice a day.
As for adults and children from five years old, then a dosage of 40-60 drops (that is, 2-3 ml) is prescribed for them, twice a day.
The drug Ambrohexal (for inhalation) requires a special device, which is sold in pharmacies. In the absence of such, other forms of the drug are prescribed to patients (for example, tablets, capsules, syrup).
Side effects
The instructions say that inhalation with Ambrohexal for adults and children should be carried out only according to indications. In this case, it is necessary to comply with all the doctor's prescriptions and carefully study the annotation.
In some cases, the medication in question can cause such negative reactions as:
- headache, rhinorrhea, weakness, drying out of the oral mucosa, fever;
- skin rash, dysuric disorders, itching, exanthematous rashes, urticaria, change in taste;
- angioedema, abdominal pain, drying out of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract;
- constipation, nausea, anaphylactic reactions, vomiting, diarrhea, anaphylactic shock.
Under what conditions is the drug prohibited to receive?
According to the instructions, "Ambrohexal" for inhalation is contraindicated:
- with a high sensitivity of the patient to the components of the drug;
- in the first trimester of pregnancy;
- with increased sputum formation or the syndrome of motionless cilia of the epithelium;
- with impaired motor function of the bronchi;
- with exacerbation of peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach.
Cautious use
With extreme caution, the drug Ambrohexal is used in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, as well as with breastfeeding. The same applies to severe hepatic and renal pathologies. In the presence of such diseases, the inhalation solution is prescribed in a lower dosage or large intervals between its doses are maintained.
It's important to know!
Before proceeding with inhalation procedures with Ambrohexal, people with impaired fructose tolerance should always consult a doctor.
With caution, this drug should be used in patients with a weak cough reflex. The same applies to patients with impaired mucociliary transport. In the latter case, inhalation with Ambrohexal can contribute to the accumulation of sputum, which will significantly worsen the patient's condition.
It should also be noted that during the treatment period with the considered agent it is forbidden to perform any breathing exercises.
In people who suffer from bronchial asthma, coughing can significantly increase with the use of Ambrohexal.
Reliable information on the effect of this drug on the patient’s ability to drive vehicles or drive various mechanisms is currently not available.
How does it interact with other medicines?
Before using the drug Ambrohexal, you must remember that:
- when using this medication and antibacterial drugs containing such active substances as amoxicillin, cefuroxime, erythromycin and doxycycline, a significant increase in the concentration of etiotropic components in bronchial secretion can be noted;
- with the simultaneous use of the Ambrohexal injection solution with antitussive drugs that inhibit the cough reflex, sputum in the bronchi can stagnate, which will lead to the development of life-threatening phenomena.
Similar drugs, the price of the drug
How much does the Ambrohexal inhalation drug cost? The price of this tool may be different depending on the city, region and the margin of the pharmacy chain. On average, the cost of a 50 ml bottle with a solution for inhalation is 90-100 rubles.
If there is no opportunity to purchase the drug Ambrohexal, or if there are contraindications to the use of this drug, doctors recommend replacing it with an analog. Medicines similar in therapeutic effect include the following: Medovent, Ambrobene, Flavamed, Bronchoxol, Lazongin, Abrol, Bronhovern, Ambroxol, Bronchovil, Ambronorm, Mukosol ”,“ Ambrosal ”,“ Medox ”,“ Ambrolitin ”,“ Lazoleks ”,“ Ambrospray ”,“ Pulmibrom ”,“ Ambroham ”,“ Mukotablin ”,“ Lazolvan ”. By the way, the last drug is used as often as Ambrohexal. So which of these remedies is better? Experts say that both of these medicines contain the same active substance - ambroxol. Therefore, they are approximately the same in efficiency. However, it should be noted that the cost of Ambrohexal is much lower than that of Lazolvan.
Drug Reviews
What do patients say about Ambrohexal? There are many reports of this medicine on the World Wide Web. Those who use this medication in the form of tablets respond very well about it. Patients claim that such a drug helps to get rid of a strong dry cough and at the same time does not cause side effects. Also, the advantages of the medication in question include its availability and low cost.
As for the opinions of patients about the Ambrohexal inhalation solution, they are also positive. A convenient dosage form, high efficacy and quick recovery are the main advantages of this medication. By the way, many people make inhalations along with saline. In the treatment of babies, this combination gives a quick positive result.
The disadvantage of Ambrohexal is its unpleasant taste.