Cough tablets: what they are and how they work

Coughing is the body’s protective reaction to an irritant. Thanks to it, the respiratory tract is cleansed of dust, sputum and other microorganisms that cause inconvenience to the entire body.

There are two types of cough - wet cough and dry cough. In the case of the first, the process is much simpler; the body gets rid of mucus, which contains harmful microorganisms. This is how the treatment takes place. In the second type, the situation is more unpleasant, a dry cough does not bring relief, often only new attacks. This often severely irritates the pharynx, leads to pain in the chest and throat, and damages the tissue of the mucous membrane.

Characteristic signs of dry cough

Experts define three types of dry cough:

  • Deaf. May be a symptom of a lung tumor or tuberculosis.
  • Barking. As a rule, it is a consequence of a viral disease that affects the vocal cords.
  • Nasadny. Most common in children, a concomitant symptom of the disease is whooping cough.

Also, depending on the duration of cough, there are two types: acute (up to three weeks) and chronic (for several months or more).

Ascoril

"Ascoril" is a combination drug for the complex treatment of wet cough, which contains several active substances: salbutamol, guaifenesin and bromhexine. "Ascoril" is a mucolytic and bronchodilator with an expectorant effect. The drug is usually prescribed for such serious problems as obstructive bronchitis and pneumonia, that is, in cases where the sputum is difficult to clear and is very thick. "Ascoril" acts quickly - relief occurs literally in the first days of taking it. But you need to remember about the side effects of Ascoril: some patients experience tachycardia, increased sweating, and dry mouth.

Ascoril
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, India

As part of combination therapy for acute and chronic bronchopulmonary diseases, accompanied by the formation of difficult-to-separate viscous secretions: bronchial asthma;
tracheobronchitis; obstructive bronchitis; pneumonia; emphysema; whooping cough; pneumoconiosis; pulmonary tuberculosis. from 113

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Causes of dry cough in adults

The main source of a dry cough is not always some kind of viral disease. There can be many reasons:

  • Smoking
  • Laryngitis
  • Allergy
  • lupus erythematosus
  • Sinusitis
  • Measles
  • Whooping cough

Often, regardless of the causes of a dry cough, there can be unpleasant consequences for the body. During the course of the disease, there is a possibility that the walls of the bronchi will become deformed and cause the development of other serious pathologies (asthma, pneumonia, etc.). Therefore, in order to avoid unnecessary complications, dry cough is recommended to be treated immediately after its detection.

How to treat a wet cough?

Thursday, November 4
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Content
  • Causes of wet cough
  • Symptoms of a wet cough
  • How to treat a wet cough
  • 8 most effective drugs for wet cough
  • Ascoril
  • Ambrohexal
  • Fluimucil
  • Mukaltin
  • ACC
  • Ambrobene
  • Plantain and coltsfoot syrup from Evalar
  • Lazolvan
  • Traditional methods of treating wet cough

A cough is called “wet” when it is accompanied by the formation of sputum. And the main task of antitussives in this case is to liquefy this sputum and remove it. In the first days of treatment, a wet cough may intensify, but it will no longer be as severe. Today, pharmacies offer a variety of cough medications: these include syrups, tablets, and lozenges. Such drugs should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor who will determine the cause of the cough; self-medication is inappropriate here.

ACC

The mucalytic effect that this drug has on the body allows ACC to be proven as an active medicine. In addition, ACC has an anti-inflammatory effect, reducing chest and throat pain.

The drug has contraindications: it is not recommended for use by pregnant women and nursing mothers. Experts also note that the drug should not be combined with other antitussives and paracetamol. Otherwise, you will also have to deal with congestion of the respiratory tract.

Pros:

  • Quickly removes mucus and relieves cough
  • Does not irritate mucous membranes
  • Delicious
  • Versatility (suitable for many diseases)
  • Convenient packaging

Minuses:

  • There are many contraindications, it is better to consult a doctor
  • Possible exacerbation of allergies

What types of cough tablets are there?

All that can be found in a pharmacy on the shelf with cough tablets are different drugs with different effects. All of them can be divided into three groups:

  • mucolytics;
  • antiseptics;
  • antitussives.

Despite the fact that they have the same release form - tablets, they need to be used in different ways. Some are intended for resorption, others for systemic use, and others for the preparation of solutions.

Most cough tablets are sold without a prescription, but there are also some that are prohibited for free sale.

Doctor Mom

Doctor Mom is a whole line of drugs in lozenges, ointments and syrups. Causes expectoration, removes phlegm, reduces inflammation and relieves pain when coughing. The composition includes many beneficial herbs (aloe, basil, ginger, etc.). Designed for both adults and small children.

Pros:

  • Pleasant to the taste
  • Relieves cough
  • Affordable prices
  • Used for prevention
  • Suitable for long-term use

Minuses:

  • Manifestation of an allergic reaction
  • Not effective for severe cough

Mucolytics: principle of action

Mucolytics include tablets that primarily affect mucus secretion in the respiratory tract. These are so-called expectorants. Their use ensures quick and easy removal of sputum from the bronchi and lungs.

It is advisable to use such tablets when inflammation of the respiratory system is accompanied by a dry and irritating cough. For bronchitis, tracheitis and pulmonary inflammation, mucolytics are needed to increase local immunity. Acting locally, they increase the amount of sputum produced. It collects pathogenic microorganisms from the surface of the mucous membranes and removes them from the respiratory system.

Cough tablets that help soften a cough and make it productive can be found under the following names:

  • Acc, Fluimucil, Bromhexine Berlin-Chemie or analogues with the active ingredient acetylcysteine.
  • Ambrobene, Lazolvan or analogues with ambroxol as an active ingredient.
  • Doctor Mom - herbal tablets;
  • Licorice;
  • Sage.

Many pharmacological companies produce lozenges containing herbal ingredients. Licorice is recognized as the most powerful in producing phlegm. It significantly reduces its viscosity and helps remove it from the respiratory tract.

Faliminitis

Faliminitis is an antiseptic, antitussive drug. Reduces pain in the throat and chest, eliminates irritation of the mucous membrane and fights dry cough. After use, experts recommend not consuming food and water for a short time. It is strictly prohibited for pregnant women and mothers during the feeding period.

pros

  • Has a fast action
  • Conducts disinfection
  • Highly beneficial for dry cough

Minuses:

  • Prohibited for pregnant women and young children

Ambrohexal

This mucolytic drug is used for wet coughs to thin out mucus and remove it faster. "Ambrohexal" is inexpensive, but quite effective. The remedy is prescribed for acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma and other problems, one of the symptoms of which is a prolonged cough. "Ambrohexal" can be taken by adults and children from 6 years of age. To enhance the positive effect, in addition to the mucolytic, an antiviral or antibacterial agent is usually prescribed (you need to look at the clinical manifestations). Reviews from doctors and patients about the drug are mostly positive due to its complex action - the product removes phlegm in the most natural way possible. The cost of Ambrohexal is quite affordable, and there are no serious contraindications or side effects.

Ambrohexal
Hexal, Germany

Ambrohexal is a mucolytic and expectorant.
Indications for use: Acute and chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, accompanied by the formation of viscous secretions: - acute and chronic bronchitis; - pneumonia; - COPD; - bronchial asthma with difficulty in sputum discharge; - bronchiectasis; - treatment and prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (for syrup and solution for oral administration and inhalation). from 92

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Stoptussin

A popular remedy for dry cough, it is mucolytic and inhibits the cough reflex.

Pros:

  • High efficiency
  • Relieves dry cough
  • Facilitates the process of coughing

Minuses:

  • Huge list of contraindications
  • Many side effects (drowsiness, rash, loss of appetite, etc.)
  • Contraindicated for chronic cough

Antitussives

Antitussives include drugs that reduce the susceptibility of the ciliated epithelium of the respiratory system to irritants. At the same time, many antitussives act directly on the cough center of the brain. This way the cough reflex is “turned off”. Such drugs can be useful only in special cases:

  • with whooping cough;
  • allergic irritating cough;
  • with laryngitis;
  • with pharyngitis.

In other situations, the use of antitussives is not recommended, since other respiratory diseases require the removal of sputum from the lungs. And suppression of the cough reflex will lead to complications and increase the recovery period.

Antitussive tablets include:

  • Rengalin;
  • Codelac;
  • Terpincode;
  • Sinecode;
  • Omnitus.

Since Codelac and Terpincode contain the narcotic drug codeine, the drugs cannot be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription.

Drink plenty of warm fluids for wet coughs

When answering the question of how to cure a wet cough in an adult, it is worth mentioning another necessary and effective method of treatment: drinking plenty of vitamins. During a cold, you should drink more liquid than usual to moisturize the mucous membrane and quickly thin the mucus. This can be warm mineral water, herbal decoctions, teas, fruit drinks, milk in combination with honey, etc.

What is a cough?

Coughing is a defense mechanism that clears the airways of irritants and germs. It can safely be called a useful reaction of our body: after all, it protects the trachea and bronchi from pathogenic infections and foreign bodies.

Most often, a cough may indicate a cold, but it is important to understand that severe coughing attacks can be symptoms of dangerous processes in the body and serious, and sometimes chronic, diseases. In one case or another, the cough has its own characteristics, and it is its character that helps make an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor in time to determine the cause of the symptom.

Inhalations for wet cough

A productive wet cough without fever can be treated with inhalations. These procedures, based on the inhalation of medicinal and biologically active substances, help reduce thickness and viscosity, more actively liquefy and remove sputum. To treat coughs, steam inhalers and nebulizers are used, to which special medications are added. Inhalations that help moisturize the mucous membrane help to quickly reduce pain, reduce the viscosity of sputum, eliminate spasms and relax the muscles of the bronchi. You can use Doctor MOM® Phyto ointment, which is locally irritating , distracting, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect.

Traditional methods of treating wet cough

In addition to medications for wet coughs, there are proven folk methods that help thin and remove mucus. Here are some of them.

  1. Milk with honey.
    You need to heat a glass of milk, add a couple of teaspoons of honey and a pinch of soda. This drink perfectly thins and removes phlegm. Another recipe is milk with butter. This recipe is suitable if you have an irritated throat (the drink eliminates soreness and soothes the mucous membranes).
  2. Milk with banana.
    Add banana puree and a couple of teaspoons of cocoa to a glass of heated milk. Children will definitely appreciate this cough remedy. You need to drink the drink before going to bed.
  3. Black radish.
    Radish contains an essential oil with a bactericidal effect, plus black radish is an excellent stimulant for mucus discharge. To treat a cough, take 1 teaspoon of radish juice five times a day. To “extract” the juice of a black radish, you need to cut it into two parts, remove some of the pulp, and put honey in the resulting holes. If you don't have honey, you can simply grate the radish and add a little sugar.
  4. Honey compress.
    To relieve a cough, you can rub liquid honey on your chest, put parchment paper on top, and then cover yourself with a warm blanket. After half an hour, wipe off the honey with a damp cloth and wrap yourself up.
  5. Chocolate for cough.
    Another recipe that kids will love. Melt 100 g of butter, add 100 g of chocolate and 2 tbsp. l. cocoa. Warm everything over low heat or in a water bath until the ingredients are well mixed. Cool and you can spread this chocolate spread on bread or cookies for your child. It’s great if the baby agrees to drink it with warm milk.

Lazolvan

The active ingredient of this mucolytic expectorant for wet coughs is ambroxol hydrochloride. "Lazolvan" is prescribed for acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchiectasis. The product helps well with non-productive cough - both in complex therapy and as a single drug. Without consulting a doctor, Lazolvan should not be taken for longer than 4-5 days. Lazolvan tablets are indicated for adults and children over 12 years of age.

Lazolvan
Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany

Lazolvan stimulates the serous cells of the glands of the bronchial mucosa, increases the content of mucous secretions and the release of surfactants (surfactant) in the alveoli and bronchi;
normalizes the disturbed ratio of serous and mucous components of sputum. By activating hydrolytic enzymes and enhancing the release of lysosomes from Clara cells, it reduces the viscosity of sputum. Increases the motor activity of the cilia of the ciliated epithelium, increases the mucociliary transport of sputum. After oral administration, the effect occurs within 30 minutes and lasts for 6–12 hours from 138

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