In the article we will consider drugs that suppress coughs.
Colds and flu are always accompanied by a painful condition of the respiratory tract, accumulation of sputum in the lungs and bronchi. When choosing a cough medicine, it is important to take into account the nature of this symptom - a wet or dry cough, a tendency to allergic reactions, the severity of side effects of a particular drug.
To choose an effective cough suppressant, you must first familiarize yourself with the classification of such drugs. There are two types of medications under consideration:
- antitussives, which are prescribed for painful dry cough, irritation of the vocal cords and pharynx;
- expectorants, which are intended for the treatment of wet cough with viscous mucus.
Each of these groups comes in different forms - tablets, syrups, soluble powders and capsules. In addition, medicines may differ in composition, they may be based on both synthetic compounds and natural ones.components.
Classification
There is no universal cough suppressant. The tactics of therapy depends on the nature of this unpleasant symptom. Preparations differ in the principles of action on the body. They are usually divided into the following groups:
- central antitussive drugs - non-narcotic, narcotic;
- peripheral agents;
- complex antitussives;
- expectorants and mucolytics.
Cough suppressants
Antitussives that are designed to suppress this symptom are as follows:
- Omnitus;
- Codelac;
- Glauvent;
- "Libeksin";
- "Falimint";
- "Sinekod";
- Ascoril;
- "Stoptussin";
- Bronchoton.
The doctor should choose the most suitable remedy in this or that case.
Omnitus
Cough-suppressing drug of central action contains the main substance - butamirate citrate, which is neither pharmacologically nor chemically related to opium alkaloids. The drug has a direct effect on the cough center and has a moderate bronchodilatory, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect, stabilizes blood oxygenation and spirometry.
This medicine is produced in the form of tablets and syrup. Hiscan be used to suppress cough in children from 3 years. It is important to find out in advance which cough suppressants in adults and children are most effective.
Codelac
"Codelac" - a combined medication with expectorant and antitussive action. The composition of this medicine includes active elements: sodium bicarbonate, codeine, herb lanceolate thermopsis in powder form, licorice root.
This medication is characterized by a pronounced expectorant and antitussive effect. Codeine reduces the excitability of the cough center, has a weak sedative and analgesic effect, and suppresses the reflexes that are responsible for prolonged coughing. In small doses, this remedy does not contribute to the oppression of the respiratory center, the decrease in bronchial secretion and the disruption of the functioning of the ciliated epithelium. This drug, which suppresses dry cough, has a strong expectorant property, which consists in increasing the tone of the smooth muscles of the bronchi as a result of the vagotropic effect, intensifying the functions of the ciliated epithelium and accelerated mucus excretion.
Enhances the secretory functions of the glands of the bronchi. The biological components of this antitussive agent are distinguished by ganglion blocking properties. The substance sodium bicarbonate activates the motor functions of the ciliated epithelium and bronchioles, reduces the density of sputum and makes its pH more alkaline. Licorice is characterized by anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and expectorant effects. The expectorant effect is due to the content of glycyrrhizin, which stimulates the functions of the ciliaryepithelium located in the bronchi and trachea. This substance also enhances the secretory activity of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. The antispasmodic effect is due to the presence of flavone compounds (liquiritoside).
This cough-suppressing drug is contraindicated in bronchial asthma, respiratory failure, concomitant administration with centrally acting analgesics (buprenorphine, nalbuphine, pentazocine) and alcohol, under 2 years of age, pregnancy and lactation.
Glauvent
The active substance of this medication is glaucine hydrobromide lauvent - an antitussive drug of central action. It includes an alkaloid secreted from the plant yellow macho, which has the ability to suppress the cough center, but unlike codeine, this element does not suppress the respiratory center. The drug does not adversely affect the functioning of the intestines, with prolonged use it does not provoke addiction and drug dependence.
Glaucin is able to exhibit adrenolytic properties, can lower blood pressure. According to the instructions for the antitussive, the drug "Glauvent" is recommended for use in the treatment of dry cough of various origins, accompanying diseases such as infectious and inflammatory pathologies of the respiratory tract, lungs and bronchi (pneumonia, chronic and acute bronchitis). In addition, this medicine is often prescribed for bronchial asthma, whooping cough, pleurisy,tuberculosis, lung cancer. Contraindications to its use are myocardial infarction, sputum hyperproduction, arterial hypotension, hypersensitivity. Allowed to give to children after 4 years.
What other cough suppressants are available in adults?
Libeksin
The active element of this drug is prenoxdiazine hydrochloride, which is an antitussive agent of peripheral action. It blocks the cough reflex due to the following effects:
- bronchodilating action that contributes to the suppression of stretch receptors and is involved in the cough reflex;
- slight inhibition of the activity of the respiratory center (respiratory depression is not observed);
- local anesthetic effect, which reduces the irritability of peripheral receptors that cause cough.
The antitussive effect of Libexin is approximately equal to that of codeine. This medicine is not addictive and has an anti-inflammatory effect in patients with chronic bronchitis. The drug does not affect the activity of the central nervous system, except for a possible slight anti-anxiety effect. This medicine is indicated in preparation for a bronchographic or bronchoscopic examination, with nocturnal cough in patients with heart failure, with an unproductive cough of any etiology, including those caused by bronchitis, influenza, respiratory catarrh, emphysema, pneumonia.
Contraindications to its reception are diseases with abundantbronchial secretion, lactase deficiency, condition after inhalation anesthesia, high sensitivity to the drug. An antitussive drug for children with a dry cough should be administered with great care.
Falimint
This is a medicine that belongs to the category of antitussives. It is able to stop an unproductive cough, in which sputum formation is not observed. The composition of this tool includes the main substance - acetylaminonitropropoxybenzene. When penetrating into the mucous membranes, the drug irritates the nerve endings and has a slight analgesic effect. Also, the drug has an antiemetic and antiseptic effect, due to which it is possible to use this medication in dental practice. Its properties are similar to those of menthol.
Like menthol, this medicinal product induces a cooling sensation in the mouth and throat. It does not dry out the mucous membranes and does not cause numbness. Falimint also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Indications for the use of the drug are inflammatory pathologies of the respiratory tract, the elimination of coughing and sneezing in lecturers, athletes, smokers, the need to obtain an antiemetic effect during medical manipulations in the throat cavity. This cough suppressant is not suitable for children.
Sinekod
The active element of the "Sinekod" is butamirate, which is included in the category of antitussive medicines of central action. This substance is not likealkaloids and does not lead to addiction and dependence. The drug suppresses cough by direct action on the cough center and is characterized by a bronchodilator (bronchodilator) effect. It facilitates breathing, improves blood oxygenation (oxygen saturation) and spirometry (reduction of airway resistance).
This drug is produced in the form of syrup and drops for oral administration. Drops are used in childhood.
Medicine "Sinekod" is prescribed for the symptomatic treatment of dry cough of various etiologies: during bronchoscopy and surgical interventions, with whooping cough, as well as if it is necessary to suppress cough in the postoperative period. Contraindications for taking it are the first trimester of pregnancy, the lactation period, the age of the child is less than 2 months - for drops and 3 years - in the form of syrup.
Ascoril
This is a combined drug antitussive with bronchodilator, expectorant and mucolytic effects. The medicine is produced in tablets and in the form of a syrup and contains several active elements: salbutamol sulfate, guaifenesin and bromhexine hydrochloride. Salbutamol has a bronchodilator effect, stimulating beta2-adrenergic receptors of blood vessels, myometrium and bronchi, eliminates or prevents the occurrence of bronchospasm, reduces resistance in the respiratory canals, increases lung capacity. This substance dilates the coronary arteries without reducing blood pressure.
Guaifenesin is a mucolytic substance that reducestension of the structures of bronchopulmonary structures, stimulates the secretory cells of the bronchial mucosa, promotes the production of neutral polysaccharides, depolymerization of acid mucopolysaccharides, reduces the viscosity of sputum, activates the ciliary apparatus of the bronchi, facilitates the removal of sputum and the transition from an unproductive cough to a productive one. Bromhexine is a mucolytic element that provides expectorant and antitussive effects. It helps to increase the serous composition of bronchial secretions, activate the cilia of the epithelium, increase the volume of sputum and improve its discharge.
According to the instructions, this remedy is used as part of the combined treatment of acute and chronic forms of bronchopulmonary diseases that occur with the formation and difficult separation of sputum: pulmonary emphysema, pneumonia, pneumoconiosis, tracheobronchitis, obstructive bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, whooping cough. This medication is contraindicated for peptic ulcer, gastric bleeding, heart defects, tachyarrhythmia, arterial hypertension, myocarditis, glaucoma, decompensated diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, pregnancy and lactation. This medicine is allowed for prescribing to children after 6 years.
The list of cough suppressants for children and adults doesn't end there.
Stoptussin
The drug "Stoptussin" is a two-component antitussive drug that has a bronchodilator and expectorant effect. Dosage forms - tablets and drops for oral administration.
Activeelements of this medication: butamirate dihydrocitrate and guaifenesin. A cough medicine is prescribed, which suppresses the cough center, in the operating period. Contraindications to its appointment are: myasthenia gravis, I trimester of pregnancy, lactation, hypersensitivity. Children are prescribed medication in the form of drops (from 6 months), after 12 years, it is possible to take the tablet form of the drug.
What drugs still suppress cough?
Bronchoton
"Bronchoton" is a combined antitussive agent with a bronchodilatory effect. The medicine is produced only in the form of syrups. This is a herbal medicine that has a bronchodilatory and antitussive mechanism of action, which is determined by the properties of its active elements:
- glaucine - a substance that suppresses the cough center, without leading to respiratory depression and without provoking drug addiction;
- ephedrine - a component that stimulates the respiratory center and eliminates swelling of the mucous membranes of the bronchi;
- basil oil - has a mild sedative, antispasmodic and antimicrobial effect.
The use of the drug "Bronchoton" is indicated for diseases of the respiratory system that occur with a dry cough (as part of combination therapy): bronchial asthma, bronchitis, tracheobronchitis, whooping cough, bronchoconstriction. This remedy is contraindicated in heart failure, coronary heart disease, arrhythmias, arterial hypertension,coronary atherosclerosis, thyrotoxicosis, pheochromocytoma, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, insomnia, angle-closure glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, pregnancy, lactation. The medication can be used in children over 3 years of age.
Next on the list are wet cough suppressants.
Wet cough remedies
Cough with sputum is called productive or wet. For its treatment, drugs with expectorant properties are used:
- "ACC" - a drug that thins sputum, contributing to the productivity of coughing. Relief is observed already in the first days of admission. The drug has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Do not combine with other cough medicines and paracetamol. May be given to children.
- Doctor Mom is a herbal cough remedy that fights against respiratory diseases, eliminates a runny nose, colds and bronchitis. Produced in the form of lozenges, lozenges, syrups, ointments, tablets, roller pencils. This medicine is prescribed for children from 2 years of age. What other antitussive drugs are prescribed for a wet cough?
- "Bronholitin" is a medical drug that is very popular and is characterized as a proven and effective remedy. It suppresses the cough center, does not depress breathing, successfully treats respiratory diseases, thins sputum, relieves swelling of the mucous membranes. Widely used in childhood.
- "Bromhexine" - a medication prescribed forchronic and acute bronchial pathologies with sputum. The drug is easily tolerated, prescribed for children after 6 years of age, can be combined with antibiotics, contributing to their rapid penetration into the pathological secret. Fluid intake is recommended during treatment.
- "Ambroxol" - an antitussive drug, with a wet cough in adults and children is often used. It is used in the prevention of infections of the respiratory organs, is available in the form of tablets and syrup. Helps in a short time to cure cough that occurs with tracheitis, pneumonia, whooping cough and bronchitis.
