Cough is the main symptom of most colds. It is a reflex act, accompanied by a sharp contraction of the respiratory muscles and the subsequent release of air. The reflex is aimed at eliminating the irritant from the trachea and bronchi. A painful cough causes discomfort, therefore, during the treatment of a cold, antitussive drugs are prescribed. They not only alleviate the condition, but also improve sputum production - make the cough productive.
"ACC" is very popular, which is actively used to treat diseases accompanied by cough. The drug contains acetylcysteine - it is the active ingredient. The medicine is available in the form of tablets, granules, and syrup is well suited for children.
Powder costs 150-200 rubles, and effervescent tablets - 270.
Action
Acetylcysteine affects the secretion of the bronchi and sinuses, breaking the bonds formed between the molecules of mucopolysaccharides. This contributes to the thinning of sputum, thereby improving the purification of the respiratory tract. At the same time, the cough becomes wet, and it is more easily tolerated by patients thanpainful dry. In the sinuses of the nose, liquefaction of the secret also occurs. The additional anti-inflammatory effect is due to the activation of immune cells. The active substance has a high bioavailability, after 2 hours the maximum possible concentration is observed in the blood.
Indications
The drug is effective for the treatment of conditions accompanied by increased secretion production. These include respiratory diseases - bronchitis and bronchiolitis, tracheitis, asthma, bronchiectasis. It is also effective for the treatment of sinusitis and exudative otitis media. A positive result is also observed when taken for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and laryngitis. This drug and similar drugs have such indications - often the analogue of "ACC" is cheaper.
Instructions for use
The drug is prescribed after meals. Granules or effervescent tablets before taking should be dissolved in warm water - 100 ml. The daily dosage for children over 14 years of age and adults is 400-600 mg. It should be divided into 2 or 3 doses. For children 6-12 years old, 300-400 mg / day is prescribed, and for babies 2-5 years old - 200-300 mg / day. The drug is also used to treat children from 10 years of age - 50 mg per day. The dosage is adjusted by the attending physician. As a rule, treatment is carried out for 7 days, but sometimes the course is increased.
Side effect
The drug has a small number of side effects. ACC can cause nausea, vomiting, and heartburn. From the nervous system, tinnitus and headache are possible.pain. In addition, there are cases of high blood pressure after taking the medicine.
Contraindications
The ACC medicine can be used by both adults and children. In what cases should it not be prescribed? The drug is contraindicated if present:
- allergy to ingredients and fructose intolerance;
- pulmonary bleeding;
- peptic ulcer;
- severe renal and hepatic failure.
The use of "ACC" during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended. At this time, the drug is prescribed only with the permission of a specialist in strict indications.
What can replace "ACC"?
The drug is effective for treating cough. It improves the expectoration of sputum, making the cough productive and less painful. The accelerated removal of sputum from the respiratory tract is the key to a quick successful treatment. However, many are wondering if there is an analogue of "ACC" cheaper.
Abrol
The active substance of the drug (ambroxol hydrochloride) promotes the activation of serous cells in the glands of the bronchi, and also increases the formation of special enzymes responsible for the breakdown of sputum mucopolysaccharides. The drug is characterized by a pronounced expectorant effect, which makes it a worthy replacement for ACC. "Abrol" tablets are suitable for the treatment of adults and children from 12 years of age. As a rule, the doctor prescribes a course of 1 tablet 3 times / day. The effect comes in the first week. In some cases, treatment is extended up to 2 weeks. "Abrol" syrup can be used in childhood due to a more convenient form of release. The drug can be taken from 1 year. The drug is usually well tolerated by patients, and the number of side effects is less than that of ACC. In case of intolerance, an allergic reaction may develop in the form of urticaria, which is characterized by skin rashes and itching. This is an indication for discontinuation of the drug. Dyspepsia is very rare, and CNS ailments have not been observed. Like its counterpart, Abrol is not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy, and in subsequent ones - only with the permission of the doctor. The cost of tablets is 100-150 rubles.
"Lazolvan": price and features
The medicine is a clear or brownish solution that is used orally or for inhalation. The active substance is the same as that of Abrol. The drug increases secretion and increases ciliary activity. It is contraindicated in case of intolerance, lactation and in the first trimester of pregnancy (2 and 3 - with caution under the supervision of a physician). Ambroxol has the ability to cross the placental barrier, but a direct effect on the fetus has not been proven. However, it is recommended to use it during this period only under strict indications. A feature of the drug is such a side effect as a violation of taste perception, but it occurs quite rarely. The advantage of the drug is the absence of unwanted drug interactions. It is able to enhance the penetration into the secret of the bronchi of amoxicillin, erythromycin and cefuroxin. Increasingly, experts recommend Lazolvan. The price for it is 200-220rubles.
Fluimucil
The active ingredient is acetylcysteine, as in ACC. The drug is available in the form of tablets and injections, which allows it to be used parenterally. The medicine is administered intramuscularly or intravenously. This provides a significant increase in bioavailability, since the drug penetrates directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the high tolerance to acetylcysteine, long courses of treatment are allowed. Contraindications are identical to "ACC", and the list of indications is supplemented by pneumonia and cystic fibrosis of the lungs. Effervescent tablets contain aspartame, so this form is contraindicated in patients suffering from phenylketonuria. Effervescent tablets are sold at a price of 150-170 rubles, a solution - 120 rubles.
Muk altin
This is a preparation of plant origin, as it contains polysaccharides from marshmallow. Such an analogue of "ACC" is cheaper than other drugs. The extract of the medicinal root stimulates the ciliated epithelium, resulting in increased secretion and improved sputum production. The product is non-toxic and non-irritating. You should not take medicine if you have allergies, as well as peptic ulcers and gastritis. Due to the presence of polysaccharides, it is prescribed with caution to patients with diabetes mellitus. Fluimucil or Muk altin are a worthy replacement for ACC. Price - 20-30 rubles.
Mukosol
An effective drug based on carbocysteine. The action is based on the activation of sialictransferase, which is an enzyme of goblet cells concentrated in the bronchial mucosa. Due to the stabilization of sialomucins and a decrease in the amount of glycopeptides, the viscosity of sputum decreases. It separates better, and the cough becomes less intense. Due to the secretion of immunoglobulin A, mucociliary clearance is increased. The peculiarity is that the active substance of the drug does not irritate the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. "Mukosol" syrup is prescribed for pathologies of the broncho-pulmonary system, as well as for sinusitis. Do not use it for allergies, phenylketonuria (if aspartate is present), pregnancy, renal failure. Also, granules are contraindicated for children under 12 years of age. Carbocysteine often causes side effects such as nausea, epigastric pain and diarrhea. Cost - 150-190 rubles.
Bromhexine
Expectorant action due to depolymerization of mucopolysaccharide molecules. In addition, the drug activates the production of surfactant, which increases the stability of the alveolar cells. All this helps to protect the respiratory tract and improve the rheology of bronchial secretions. The drug is used not only for bronchitis, asthma and bronchiectasis, but also for pneumonia, tuberculosis and emphysema. Among the contraindications are intolerance, pregnancy and lactation, as well as peptic ulcer. In addition, it is not recommended for patients with renal insufficiency and gastric bleeding. "Bromhexine-Acri" may cause side effects (nausea,headache, dyspepsia). In the presence of an allergic reaction, as a rule, skin rashes occur. Less common are rhinitis and angioedema. The price of tablets is about 150 rubles.
Antitussive drugs can significantly improve the patient's condition and speed up recovery. For this, acetylcysteine and an analogue of "ACC" can be used. It is cheaper to purchase analogues, but before that you should consult a doctor. Any medication requires specialist advice.
