List of inexpensive but effective cough medicines. Inexpensive and effective cough tablets for children and adults

Coughing is a protective physiological reflex aimed at cleansing the respiratory system. It occurs when there is irritation, inflammation or accumulation of mucus in the nasopharynx and bronchi. May be the result of a foreign body entering the nose, mouth or ear. The intensity and duration of cough depends on the degree of impact of the disease on the respiratory system.

Cough itself is not a disease, but one of its symptoms. As soon as the patient begins to recover, the severity of the symptoms weakens. Some manifestations may bother you for some time after the infection ends, then the respiratory organs return to normal.

Cough treatment is prescribed to alleviate the general course of the disease and speed up recovery. In some cases, taking cough medications can help avoid possible complications. Timely prescribed effective cough tablets will clear the upper respiratory tract and prevent bacteria from entering the lower respiratory tract.

Features of choosing tablets

First of all, it is necessary to fight the disease itself that caused the cough. To decide on the choice of cough tablets, first identify the cause of its occurrence. Not only colds cause this symptom, but also some disorders of the brain and heart, chronic diseases of the respiratory system.

The list of diseases for which cough may be a symptom is quite large:

• Viral infections (ARVI):

Upper respiratory tract (laryngitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, tonsillitis)

Lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, tracheobronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy)

• Allergic reaction.
• Bronchial asthma.
• Foreign body in the respiratory tract.
• Cancerous tumors of the respiratory system.
• Exposure to aggressive chemicals (carbon monoxide, paint, gasoline, acetone, etc.)
• Angina pectoris, congenital heart disease, heart failure.
• Interstitial lung diseases.
• Gastroesophageal reflux.
• Smoking.
• Brain disorders (Parkinson's disease, dementia).
• Taking medications to lower blood pressure.

Most often, you encounter a cough during colds. In case of a viral respiratory infection, the patient is prescribed bed rest, rest, and plenty of warm fluids. The amount of liquid should reach 2-2.5 liters per day, not counting liquid food. You can drink tea by adding herbs and honey, mineral and regular water, juices, compotes, and berry fruit drinks. A sufficient amount of fluid prevents the mucus in the respiratory tract from thickening, making it easier to cough up. It is especially important to maintain a drinking regime at high temperatures, since water losses in this case increase.

In case of severe viral infection, it is recommended to take antiviral drugs containing interferon and other auxiliary components. In the case of a bacterial infection, broad-spectrum antibiotics are most often added to treatment. To improve the general condition, use anti-cough, runny nose, sore throat and antipyretic medications. Comprehensive treatment increases the chances of a quick recovery without complications.

To understand how to properly deal with a cough, determine its type - dry or wet. Suppression of the cough reflex is justified only in cases where the cough is dry and causes spasms, difficulty breathing, and pain in the chest area. Severe attacks can provoke vomiting, a feeling of suffocation, and make it difficult to fall asleep.

If sputum is released during expectoration, then the absence of a cough will lead to its excessive accumulation and worsening of the condition. In such cases, the main task of the prescribed tablets is to facilitate the discharge of discharge. Medicines thin out thick mucus and increase its quantity, stimulating the body to actively cleanse.

Anti-cough medications are available in various forms: tablets, syrups, drops, tinctures, ointments, solutions for inhalation. Adult patients are often prescribed tablets in doses according to the instructions, and children are prescribed liquid forms. For each case, the medicine is selected individually.

Important! Only a doctor can accurately diagnose and select the most effective active ingredients in the right dosage.

Depending on the type of cough, the doctor must promptly change the treatment regimen for the disease in order to maintain patency of the airways to ensure normal free breathing.

Classification of cough tablets

Pharmacy windows display an incredible number of cough medications. Not all of the existing tablets are available on the counter; the pharmacist will find the less popular ones upon request. In addition to medicines, in any store you can find mint, eucalyptus, and honey lozenges that ease breathing and cough.

When choosing tablets, it is better to rely on the prescription prescribed by your doctor. If a visit to a specialist is postponed or the prescribed drug is not available, then it is worth understanding a little about the main types of tablets and syrups. Knowing the mechanisms of action of different groups of cough medicines will help you avoid getting confused by the names and choose the best and safest drugs.

All drugs prescribed for cough can be classified into one of three main groups:

• Antitussives,
• Mucolytics,
• Expectorants.

Antitussives

This group of drugs acts on the area of ​​the brain that is responsible for the cough reflex. The action of the reflex is reduced or blocked for a certain time until the drug is removed from the blood.

Cough suppressants are divided according to the mechanism of action on subgroups:

1. Centrally acting drugs.

They act directly on the central nervous system, that is, on the medulla oblongata. The part of the brain responsible for coughing stops sending a signal. The cause of the cough is not eliminated, but the patient stops debilitating attacks and has the opportunity to rest.

Among these drugs there are a number of substances classified as narcotic. They may have different commercial names and contain as active substance:

• codeine,
• morphine,
• demorphan,
• codipront,
• hydrocodone.

Use is limited as they can be addictive. A side effect of taking it is also depression of respiratory activity, which is usually indicated in the instructions. They are mainly used for particularly strong, barking and severe coughs due to whooping cough or pleurisy.

Important! It is prohibited to take narcotic drugs without a doctor’s prescription!

More modern centrally acting drugs are non-narcotic and do not cause addiction:

• glaucine (Bronholitin),
• oxeladine citrate (Tusuprex),
• ethylmorphine,
• dextromethorphan,
• butamirate (Sinekod, Intussin).

They can be prescribed for a long period of time for advanced influenza and other complicated forms of respiratory diseases.

2. Peripheral drugs.

They affect signal transmission from the cough center to nerve endings and smooth muscles. They have virtually no effect on the area of ​​the brain itself, but the impulse from it does not reach the organs of the respiratory system.

Most often prescribed:

• Libexin,
• Levopront,
• Helicidin.

Less effective, but safer means than the central action group. For the treatment of uncomplicated forms of dry cough, it is better to choose tablets from this group.

There are antitussive drugs that combine several therapeutic actions. They inhibit the cough center and at the same time help the formation of sputum to make the cough moist and productive:

• Stoptussin,
• Tussin plus,
• Prothiazine.

Some combination drugs stop coughing and relieve inflammation in bronchopulmonary tissues:

• Bronholitin,
• Hexapneumin,
• Lorraine.

Mucolytic

These medications must be used to thin accumulated mucus. Mucus, which flows down the walls of the larynx and accumulates in the bronchi, tends to thicken, become dense and viscous. As a result, it sticks to the cilia of the bronchi, settles in the nasopharynx, and is difficult to expectorate. The respiratory organs, irritated by mucus, try to clear themselves and a cough begins with difficult to separate sputum. It can be painful and protracted.

Mucolytic drugs make sputum more liquid, it is easily coughed up and quickly comes off from the walls and tissues. The following groups are conventionally distinguished:

Direct acting drugs.

They destroy the binding molecules of sputum, disrupting its viscous structure and elasticity. Two subgroups of substances have the same effect, but break bonds in different chemical ways:

• Acetylcysteine ​​(ACC, Mucomist, Mukobene, Fluimucil, Acestine),
• Trypsin, chymotrypsin, chymopsin, ribonuclease.

Indirect acting drugs (mucoregulators).

Relatively new drugs for the treatment of cough, the principle of which is to increase the amount of secretion, which provokes a more active cleansing of the respiratory tract. At the same time, the water content in sputum increases.

Mucoregulators include:

• Ambroxol (Ambrobene, Lazolvan, Ambrohexal, Halixol, Ambrolanlazolvan, Medovent, Flavamed),
• Bromhexine (Bronchostop, Bronchotil, Phlegamine, Flecoxin).

Expectorants

Reflex drugs.

They act on the walls of the stomach, causing specific irritation of the mucous membrane. A certain part of the brain is activated - the vomiting center. At the level of the reflex, the secretion of saliva and mucus in the bronchi increases, which leads to a gradual dilution of sputum. The liquid part of the mucus increases, its total amount increases, stimulating productive expectoration.

This group includes preparations based on plant extracts: licorice, marshmallow, thermopsis, ivy, plantain, primrose, thyme, thyme, anise and others.

Important! Herbal remedies should be prescribed to children with caution!

Natural bases are not always safe. In young children, the bronchi are small and have narrow openings, so an increase in the amount of mucus can lead to obstruction and other complications. In addition, plant squeezes and extracts can cause a severe attack of allergies, Quincke's edema.

Resorptive drugs.

They enter the blood from the gastrointestinal tract and are then excreted through the bronchial mucosa. The medicine comes with additional fluid, which thins the mucus. These include: sodium or potassium iodide, ammonium chloride, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Recently, tablets of this group are rarely prescribed.

Principles of treatment of dry cough

A dry cough is much more difficult to tolerate than a wet cough. It is a consequence of irritation and inflammation of the ENT organs when exposed to a viral or bacterial infection, aggressive and toxic chemicals, and allergens.

There are different types of dry cough:

• Periodic. It occurs against the background of a cold and does not cause much discomfort. Quickly turns into wet.
• Paroxysmal. Lasts for several minutes and has pronounced strength. There is severe tension in the pectoral muscles, pain or cramps. It is debilitating.
• "Barking". Accompanied by suffocation and difficulty breathing. In the respiratory tract you can hear wheezing, wheezing, and wheezing.
• Chronic. Occurs periodically throughout the year. Can be caused by allergies, asthma, nervous exhaustion, smoking.

With a dry cough, there is no separation of sputum, which means that dead cells and dead microorganisms are not removed. In addition, a dry cough can be painful, paroxysmal, and prolonged. It is very tiring, depriving you of strength and the opportunity to sleep and relax. In children, a hysterical cough leads to bronchospasm, causing significant difficulty breathing. Adult patients report chest pain and a feeling of heaviness when inhaling.

If you experience a debilitating dry cough, you must definitely visit a doctor to understand its causes and promptly take effective measures to treat the disease. The therapist will tell you which cough tablets are the best at the moment.

The cough itself is often blocked to relieve the patient's condition until mucus begins to be coughed up. As soon as a dry cough turns into a wet one, treatment tactics are changed and expectorants and mucolytic drugs are prescribed.

It is important to understand that substances prescribed for a wet cough will not only not be effective for a dry cough, but may worsen the situation.

Important! Use cough tablets according to the instructions inside the package!

The main drugs prescribed for dry cough are antitussives. They inhibit the functioning of the cough center or block its signals at the nervous level. This method of treatment does not act on the cause of the cough and does not cure the disease, but it significantly improves well-being.

Potent drugs for dry cough include drugs of the narcotic group of central action. Since they form a dependence and can depress breathing, non-narcotic drugs are more often prescribed, which also inhibit the cough center. They are not addictive and do not affect respiratory function.

Peripheral-acting drugs that prevent the cough signal from reaching the smooth bronchial muscles are also widespread. They are somewhat less effective, but much safer and acceptable for use in children.

Codeine.

Codeine is a narcotic antitussive. Contraindications include childhood, pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is prohibited for patients with bronchial asthma and respiratory failure to take codeine, in these cases it will cause exacerbations. Drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited; driving a car is not recommended during therapy.

Important! Only a doctor can prescribe codeine!

The most popular codeine-based drug is Codelac cough tablets. Their composition additionally includes thermopsis and licorice herbs, sodium bicarbonate. These drugs provoke the production of sputum, helping to transform a dry cough into a productive one.

Butamirat.

It is not a narcotic drug and is not addictive. Refers to centrally acting drugs. Reduces the excitability of the area of ​​the brain responsible for coughing. It has moderate bronchodilator properties and reduces inflammation. Improves blood circulation in the respiratory organs.

The most prescribed and effective butamirate drugs are:

• Sinekod
• Codelac Neo
• Omnitus.

Treatment is continued until a wet cough appears, but not longer than the time determined by the attending physician. Prescribed to children with whooping cough, it is safest for young children compared to other centrally acting drugs. For adults it is available in tablets.

Oxeladine.

The drug is approved for use only in the treatment of adults. Does not affect the activity of the respiratory center and does not cause addiction.

Preparations based on oxeladin are available in tablets and capsules:

• Tusuprex
• Paxeladine

Like other antitussives, it has a long list of side effects. The instructions for use warn that the drug may cause drowsiness and lethargy.

Dextromethorphan.

Included in combination anti-cold medications. Most often combined with an antipyretic (paracetamol), a vasoconstrictor and an antihistamine. As a result of taking the powder or effervescent tablets, the patient feels better: the fever subsides, swelling, runny nose and cough decrease.

Included in anti-cold medications:

• Fervex for dry cough
• Tussin plus
• Flupex
• Kaffetin Cold
• Tylenol for colds.

Libexin (Prenoxdiazine).

Refers to drugs of peripheral action. Reduces the sensitivity of the nerve fibers of the respiratory organs. Dilates the bronchi and relieves spasms, fights the inflammatory process. These effective dry cough tablets are comparable to codeine, but have significantly fewer side effects.

Stoptussin.

It is a successful combination of an antitussive and mucolytic. It blocks a debilitating cough due to the butamirate included in the composition, and guaifenesin provokes sputum production. After a few days of taking the tablets according to the instructions, the dry cough is replaced by a wet one.

Wet cough therapy

A wet cough is accompanied by the release of bronchial secretions, which are called sputum. Different diseases and stages of their development may produce different amounts of sputum. The color of the discharge can range from light and transparent to dark green and purulent. The greater the viscosity and density of the sputum, the more difficult it is to expectorate, settling tightly in the bronchi and interfering with their normal functioning.

The human bronchi are lined with mobile epithelial “cilia” that trap invading bacteria and viruses. Normally, the bronchi contain a small amount of clear mucus, which binds foreign microorganisms retained by the cilia. The smooth muscles of healthy bronchi contract rhythmically, gradually removing fluid through the nasal and oral cavities. If a small amount of mucus has accumulated overnight, then in the morning you may experience a short cough, which is normal.

When a lot of sputum settles on the cilia of the bronchial tree, they stop retaining bacteria. The action of the mucociliary transport mechanism, that is, the normal removal of mucus, is disrupted. The more thick the mucus, the more tightly it covers most of the eyelashes.

The cough center reacts and a cough begins, aimed at removing phlegm. At the same time, the amount of secretion in the bronchial tree increases. Under unfavorable conditions, the mucus continues to thicken, making it more and more difficult to cough up. In children and some adults, the coughing process is further complicated by narrow airways. Under such conditions, pathogenic bacteria begin to multiply very actively and bacterial bronchitis occurs. Ultimately, a neglected wet cough can lead to the penetration of bacteria into the lungs and the development of pneumonia.

To help the body naturally remove phlegm, you need to change its properties and make it as liquid as possible. Good tablets for wet coughs will help you clear your respiratory tract more effectively and get better faster.

Antitussive drugs that inhibit the reactions of the cough center and suppress its signal are not used in the treatment of wet cough. This is due to the fact that the absence of a cough will lead to the accumulation of a large amount of sputum in the bronchi, which can cause obstruction and an increase in the number of bacteria.

Important! Taking antitussive medications for a wet cough can be dangerous!

In the treatment of wet cough, the following groups of drugs are used:

• Mucolytic
• Expectorants
• Combined.

Action of mucolytics.

Mucolytics act on the upper thick layer of sputum, which is called the “gel.” They destroy the bonds between molecules, which leads to liquefaction of the upper layer of secretion. The result is easy and effective coughing. The total amount of mucus practically does not increase.

Based on their chemical composition, mucolytics are divided into non-enzymatic and proteolytic enzymes. I often use non-enzyme drugs, as they have fewer side effects and are well tolerated by patients.

Acetylcysteine.

Among the non-enzymatic mucolytics, the substance acetylcestin is distinguished, which has high proven effectiveness. Medicines have been created on its basis under the trade names:

• Mukobene
• Mucomist
• Fluimucil
• Mukonex
• VicksActive ExpectoMed.

The principle of its action is to destroy the bonds of certain components of sputum - mucopolysaccharides. At the same time, the mucus loses its density and viscosity. Effervescent cough tablets ACC act faster than coated tablets.

The use of acetylcysteine ​​has several features:

• When bronchospasm intensifies, obstruction may develop, so taking a mucolytic is combined with drugs that expand the lumen of the bronchi. Important! In the treatment of cough in children, acetylcysteine ​​is used with caution, since children are more prone to developing bronchial obstruction.
• Drugs in this group reduce the absorption of antibiotics. It is important to maintain a sufficient interval between doses or choose tablets from a different group.
• Long-term use (more than 10 days) provokes a decrease in local immunity.

Carbocysteine.

It acts similarly to acetylcysteine, but is considered a safer drug, since it does not provoke bronchospasm and does not affect one’s own immunity.

Produced under the names:

• Bronchobos
• Mukodil
• Mucopront
• Mucosol
• Libexin Muco
• Fluditek.

Ambroxol.

It occupies a separate place in the group of mucolytics, as it is somewhat different in its principle of action.

It thins mucus by increasing the substance that coats the alveoli and prevents them from sticking together (surfactant). In this case, the amount of sputum does not change, but it becomes less thick. In addition, ambroxol stimulates the work of the bronchial epithelium, activating the movement of cilia. Coughing becomes active and productive.

Produced under the following brands:

• Lazolvan
• Ambrobene
• Ambrohexal
• Ambroxol
• Bronchoxol
• Flavamed
• Halixol

Preparations based on ambroxol have a number of advantages:

1. These are the most effective remedies for wet coughs if antibiotics are taken at the same time.
2. Combines well with other drugs for wet cough.
3. They are produced and used in various forms: tablets, syrups, solutions for inhalation).
4. They are safe, well tolerated and have minimal side effects.

Use of expectorants.

Expectorant drugs are conventionally divided into means of reflex action and resorptive action.

Plant-based expectorants are most widely represented on the pharmaceutical market and are very popular. They are mainly produced in liquid forms (drops, syrups).

Ivy leaf extract.

This universal herbal remedy is prescribed for any type of cough. Provide effective softening and removal of sputum thanks to natural saponins in the composition.

Included in drugs called:

• Gedelix
• overslept
• Gelisal.

Contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women with bronchial asthma. Not prescribed for children under two years of age, as it may cause laryngospasm.

Primrose and thyme extract.

It not only has an expectorant effect, but also relieves inflammation and fights the proliferation of pathogenic flora. Improves blood circulation.

Included in the preparations:

• Gerbion
• Bronchicum
• Bronchipret.

Not prescribed for bronchial asthma, after suffering from croup, or with a tendency to allergic reactions.

Marshmallow root extract.

Used for the complex treatment of unproductive wet cough for adults and children over one year of age. May cause increased dry cough and allergic reactions

Preparations based on marshmallow root:

• Marshmallow syrup
• Marshmallow syrup
• Marshmallow syrup
• Mukaltin.

Mucaltin is available in tablet form - a proven and inexpensive cough remedy. The tablets are convenient to take with you to work or on the road.

Eucalyptus.

In addition to the expectorant effect, it soothes sore throats and makes breathing easier.

Eucalyptus is used to prepare a variety of lollipops and cough lozenges, which can be found not only in pharmacies, but also in regular supermarkets. Inexpensive eucalyptus lozenges are called:

• Pectusin
• Evamenol.

Complex compositions.

One of the most popular and inexpensive cough tablets is Travisil. They contain a complex of more than 10 herbs and plant extracts. Lozenges are available in various flavors.

Combined drugs.

They combine drugs from different groups, providing several therapeutic effects in the fight against cough.

For example, Codelac Broncho cough tablets contain ambroxol, sodium glycyrrhizinate and thermopsis. Ambroxol and thermopsis thin and remove phlegm, and sodium glycyrrhizinate has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. There is another version of the drug with thyme instead of thermopsis (Codelac Broncho thyme).

The previously popular tablets, which are called “Cough Tablets,” combine an expectorant of plant origin (thermopsis) and a resorptive (soda). These are inexpensive and effective cough tablets, but they often cause unpleasant reactions from the gastrointestinal tract, therefore they are contraindicated in children under 12 years of age, pregnant women and people with diseases of the digestive system.

If the disease is accompanied by bronchospasm, then in addition to affecting the consistency of sputum, it is necessary to expand the bronchial lumen to ensure easy drainage of secretions. In such cases, combination drugs based on bromhexine are used, including the bronchodilator salbutamol:

• Joset
• Ascoril.

Important! Bronchodilator drugs are used in specific cases according to the doctor’s instructions. Self-medication is unacceptable.

Cough is a common symptom that goes away along with the disease. Pharmacological companies offer a wide selection of products to relieve coughs, remove phlegm, get rid of attacks and prevent complications. In order not to harm yourself, you need to carefully choose cough tablets, follow the instructions and do not neglect visiting a doctor.

Cough is the body’s protective reaction to irritants and infections. During a cough, sputum containing pathogenic organisms and toxins is removed from the body. Therefore, there is not always a need to stop it immediately.

The cough reflex in children is especially alarming, as it is long-lasting and intrusive. The reasons for it can be varied. Therefore, medications should be prescribed by a doctor based on the disease or factor that caused the cough. They all have their own mechanism of action and are intended for different types of cough. In many cases, tablets are used. These don't have to be expensive products. Many are highly effective at a relatively low price.

Causes and types of illness in children

A cough may be evidence of some kind of inflammatory process or simply clear the airways of accumulated phlegm. If it is of a single, unobtrusive nature, and is not accompanied by other painful symptoms, then there is no need to worry too much. If the cough is prolonged and causes discomfort to the child, this is a reason to consult a doctor.

Factors that cause cough:

• entry into the body of microorganisms that cause infection;
• allergic reaction to certain irritants.

The child's body is sensitive to pathogens of respiratory diseases. They penetrate the respiratory tract and begin to multiply intensively in the cells of the mucous membrane. This leads to irritation and increased mucus production, causing coughing. The same mechanism of action of allergens that penetrate the mucous membrane.

Based on productivity, the following types of cough are distinguished:

• Dry (unproductive)– not accompanied by sputum discharge. It occurs more often in the initial stages of bronchitis, laryngitis, or when a foreign body enters the respiratory tract.
• Wet (productive)– characterized by the discharge of sputum, which accumulates in the respiratory tract. It usually appears after the 4th day of respiratory illness and ARVI.
• Barking- a sign of laryngitis. It is accompanied by hoarseness of voice. The vocal cords become swollen and the cough sounds like a dog barking.
• Spastic- caused by a spasm, which usually occurs with bronchial asthma. Coughing is painful, without sputum discharge. At the end a characteristic whistle appears.

Types of tablets

The choice of inexpensive and effective tablets is determined depending on the nature and nature of the cough. They come in several types:

• Bronchodilators - help relax smooth muscles and relieve spasms. This leads to the elimination of a cough attack. Prescribed for bronchitis and diseases that cause spasm of the respiratory tract.
• Mucolytics are the main agents in the treatment of wet cough. They dilute the viscous thick mucus of the bronchial glands to facilitate its passage.
• Opioids inhibit the cough reflex at the central level. The threshold of irritability in the cough center of the brain increases, and coughing is blocked. Their disadvantage is that they depress the entire nervous system and can be addictive.
• Non-opioid antitussives (butamirate) suppress cough without affecting the central nervous system.
• Combined - work in several directions, solving several problems at once.

Medicines for dry cough in children

Dry cough tablets should be used only as prescribed by a doctor. It is advisable to take them only in case of obsessive, prolonged cough, which provokes the gag reflex and interferes with sleep. Effective tablets can be purchased in the range of 90-250 rubles.

Note! You should not give these pills to children for a long time, they can be addictive and cause side effects. Before use, consultation with a specialist is required.

Falimint

Dragee for resorption for non-productive cough. The active ingredient is acetylaminonitropropoxybenzene. The product has a local anesthetic effect, relieves irritation, and does not dry out the mucous membrane. Due to rapid absorption, the tablets act almost instantly. The drug is prescribed to children from 5 years of age. It is not recommended to give tablets for more than 3-4 days in a row. The average price of Falimint cough tablets is 150 rubles per pack of 20 tablets.

Stoptussin

Tablets with butamirate and guaifenesin. They have an antitussive and local anesthetic effect. The viscosity of mucus decreases, making it easier to clear. With simultaneous inhibition of the cough reflex, a mucolytic effect is provided. The product is effective, but has many side effects (allergies, headaches). Not recommended for children under 12 years of age. It is advisable to use tablets only in case of severe obsessive cough. The product costs around 160 rubles for 20 tablets.

Codelac

A combined opioid drug that affects the antitussive center, reducing its excitability. Contains codeine, herbal ingredients (licorice, thermopsis). Does not cause respiratory depression. Tablets are prescribed to children over 6 years of age (syrup is available from 2 years of age). How to take cough tablets? Take 1 tablet no more than 3 times a day. Long-term use of the drug may cause addiction to it. The average cost is 140 rubles.

Lorraine

The active substances phenylephrine, chlorphenamine, paracetamol have a combined effect and eliminate the first symptoms of acute respiratory infections. The tablets thin the mucus and suppress the cough. Children over 6 years of age are prescribed 1 tablet with an interval of 4 hours between doses. The maximum dosage is 5 tablets per day. It has a number of side effects (increased blood pressure, dizziness, mild irritability). Price – about 200 rubles per package.

Sinekod

A product based on butamirate, effective for the treatment of painful dry coughs of various origins (bronchitis, tracheitis). Sinekod relieves inflammation, eliminates bronchospasm, which helps to quickly stop coughing. The drug in the form of pills is recommended for use in children over 6 years of age (younger ones are prescribed syrup) 2-4 pills per day, depending on age. The price of the drug is about 250 rubles.

Medicines for wet cough

If you have a productive cough, it is advisable to take medications that have an expectorant effect.

Ambroxol

An inexpensive remedy that is often prescribed to children for coughs. The tablets have a number of analogues with the same active ingredient (Lazolvan, Abrol, Ambrobene), but at a higher price. The product helps to quickly cope with cough, enhance the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs. Young children are usually prescribed Ambroxol in syrup form. Tablets are appropriate to use from 6 years of age. It is not recommended to take the product for longer than 5 days without the advice of a specialist. The average cost of Ambroxol is 25-30 rubles.

Bromhexine

Tablets are taken for diseases that are accompanied by the appearance of viscous, difficult to remove sputum. 1 tablet contains 8 mg of bromhexine hydrochloride. The drug is prescribed to children 6-10 years old, half a tablet 3 times a day, from 10 years old - 1 tablet 3-4 times. Sometimes the dosage as prescribed by the doctor can be increased to 2 tablets per dose. The price of a package of medicine is about 30 rubles.

ACC

Mucolytic based on acetylcysteine ​​in the form of effervescent tablets. Helps thin mucus, making cough more productive. The effect occurs in the first days of using ACC. Do not combine with paracetamol and other antitussives. Can be prescribed to children from 2 years of age. The cost of 20 tablets is about 250 rubles.

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The nuances of choosing and using inexpensive and effective tablets

Before giving your child pills, you need to find out the nature and nature of the cough. A high cost does not always indicate the effectiveness of a medicine. There are many inexpensive tablets that are not inferior in quality to their expensive counterparts.

You should definitely consult a doctor if your child has a cough. He will be able to correctly assess the nature of the cough and make the correct diagnosis. Only in this case can you choose the best option for tablets. They must be taken strictly according to the instructions so as not to aggravate the symptoms.

To choose an inexpensive and effective product, you need to study the pricing policies of several pharmacy chains. The same medicine can differ significantly in price in different pharmacies. The price formation is also influenced by the country of origin and the tablet manufacturing company. For example, expensive foreign drugs can be replaced with domestic analogues.

Today, the cost of medicines has increased greatly and not everyone can afford to purchase expensive drugs. Among the many cough tablets offered on the pharmaceutical market, you can find high-quality and inexpensive products. Ask the doctor who prescribes your child’s treatment to choose medications that will help you get rid of the cough faster and won’t cost you much.

Watch the video - Dr. Komarovsky's advice on cough medicines for children:

Cough is an unpleasant symptom of various diseases. This sign is generally considered to be something bad that needs to be eliminated immediately. However, it is not always worth getting rid of a cough. In many cases, it helps the patient more than it harms.

Pharmacological production supplies pharmacy chains with a variety of cough medications. Doctors recommend the latest drugs to their patients, forgetting about old proven drugs. In recent years, it is rare to see cough tablets prescribed. However, the medicine is found to be effective, safe and inexpensive.

The instructions for the drug “Cough Tablets” position it as a safe expectorant, based on its herbal composition. The active ingredient of the medicine is thermopsis grass powder. Each tablet contains 6.7 mg of this component.

The principle of action of the active substance is based on provoking irritation. Once in the human body, thermopsis causes a reflex release of bronchial secretions. At the same time, muscle activity increases. Mucus collecting in the bronchi and lungs is evacuated naturally.

Thermopsis has long been used in medicine. The plant has proven itself to be an effective remedy in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory system.

The second active component of the drug is sodium bicarbonate. One tablet contains 250 mg of this drug. It has a thinning effect on sputum, making it more liquid. In this form, mucus is removed more easily.

Acting in a complex manner, the two substances of the drug help to easily evacuate thick mucus from the lower respiratory tract.

The manufacturer uses potato starch and talc as secondary ingredients. In medicine, cough tablets are positioned as a herbal medicine with an expectorant effect.

Release form

The medicine is available in the form of flat white pills. Tablets are packaged in blisters of 10 pieces.

Each pack contains one or two such blisters. The trade name “Cough Tablets” is indicated on the front of the package.

The medicine is also available in paper packaging, 10 tablets each.

Due to its natural composition, the medication is an over-the-counter product. You can buy it at your nearest pharmacy.

Low cost makes the medicine accessible to every person. A package of 10 tablets costs no more than 50 Russian rubles.

Shelf life and storage conditions

The manufacturer indicates that the drug is suitable for use for 4 years. During this time, the pills must be stored in a dry place. The ambient temperature should not exceed 25 degrees. Tablets should be kept away from children.

Intended use

• tracheitis;
• bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• chronic pathologies of the respiratory tract

The medicine is prescribed for dry and unproductive cough. The tablets are effective in the formation of thick, viscous, difficult to separate mucus and the absence of a cough reflex to remove it.

It is a mistake to believe that medication will help relieve an annoying cough. The medicine, on the contrary, irritates the airways so that mucus is removed from them.

If the mucus stagnates in the bronchi, harmful microorganisms will begin to multiply in it, which can lead to a secondary infection.

How to take Cough Tablets

For treatment to be effective and short-lasting, you must first consult a specialist.

Only a doctor can reliably establish the cause of an unpleasant symptom and prescribe appropriate medications.

If a person is categorical, then it is necessary to carefully read the instructions before using the drug and strictly follow the specified algorithm.

Dosage

• Adult patients The medicine is recommended in a single dose of 1 tablet, three times a day. The duration of treatment is limited to five days. The maximum permissible single dose of the drug is 14 tablets, and the daily dose is 42.
• Children over 12 years old The medication is prescribed in the amount of half the adult dose - 1/2 tablet. Frequency of application 2-3 times. Duration of use is 3-5 days.

The medicine is taken orally with a comfortable amount of water. When treating a dry cough, it is recommended to consume more fluid, as this will improve the thinning of mucus and speed up the separation of sputum.

In such cases, the pulmonologist selects an individual dosage and establishes a separate dosage regimen.

Interaction with other medications and the possibility of complex use

Cough tablets are often prescribed as part of complex treatment. The drug is combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that eliminate fever and pain. Often combined with antibiotics and immunomodulators.

If the patient is taking any medications prescribed by other specialists, then the doctor recommending the Cough Tablets must be informed.

If a doctor prescribes cough tablets with other medications, he must tell you about the possibility of using them together. When using independently, you should familiarize yourself with the important paragraph from the instructions indicating the interaction.

• Astringents, stomach coating agents, antacids and adsorbents reduce the effectiveness of the herbal medicine. Medicines used for gastrointestinal diseases interfere with the absorption of alkaloids. These medications should be used at least 2 hours apart. In this case, cough medicine should be taken first.
• Medicines based on codeine or other substances that cause an antitussive effect should not be used simultaneously with thermopsis. Such drugs are called antagonists, they have the opposite effect.

Contraindications, precautions and adverse reactions

Despite the safe composition and small number of components, the drug has its contraindications. Under no circumstances should you use Cough Drops if:

1. The patient has a hypersensitivity to the components or has previously experienced an allergy to drugs containing thermopsis;
2. The patient suffers from a peptic ulcer of the stomach or intestines, which is in an acute stage.
3. Cough tablets should be taken with extreme caution by allergy sufferers, as well as patients with severe liver or kidney diseases.
4. The medicine is contraindicated for pregnant women, since the effect of the active substance on the fetus has not been thoroughly studied.

Thermopsis passes into breast milk, so this medication should not be taken during lactation. If treatment is required for a nursing mother, then it is necessary to resolve the issue of temporarily stopping natural feeding or select

Coughing brings discomfort to children and adults of any age. The symptom accompanies a cold, bringing a lot of inconvenience. Effective cough tablets completely solve the problem.

Often a cough remains untreated and develops into complications. A number of reasons contribute to this: they did not take the full course of medications, they chose ineffective remedies for a specific type of cough, and many others. In such cases, it is necessary to take care of effective and proven means in advance.

You should not choose medications on your own. First of all, visit the clinic and consult a doctor. He will make an accurate diagnosis, determine your type of cough and prescribe appropriate treatment. It can be dry or wet. Our review inexpensive cough tablets will help you better navigate medications.

Photo: Cough

• Medicines, suppressing cough receptors. The drugs can act on the cough centers located in the brain. These medications also affect both the receptors and nerves of the respiratory system. The products have a local anesthetic effect. They are suitable for coughs without phlegm.
• Medicines bronchodilator actions. The drugs help relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi and relieve spasm. The coughing attack passes quickly.
• Mucolytic facilities. A group of these drugs will help thin mucus and remove it from the lungs.
• Expectorants. Drugs of this type remove viscous secretions from the lungs. The mucous membranes become irritated and produce a cough, which helps clear the respiratory system.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs. The cause of cough can be inflammation. The drug eliminates inflammation on the mucous membranes of the respiratory system.
• Antihistamines. The drugs eliminate cough caused by allergies.
• Combined facilities. Medicines have several directions and help fight various causes of cough.

It is important to consider several points when choosing a drug. What to look for:

1. Type of cough. If you have a dry cough, then you only need medicine. If it is wet, then you should use completely different ones.
2. Side effects and contraindications. Read the instructions for use on cough tablets. If you have a disease that falls under the list of contraindications, then you should not use the drug.
3. Contact the hospital to confirm and clarify the clinical picture. The specialist will select medications for your diagnosis, advise and determine the dosage.
4. Give preference to proven medications with well-known brands and positive reviews.
5. Replace foreign products with domestic analogues only after consulting a doctor.
6. Patient's age and weight. Some drugs should not be given to children under 12 years of age. Other drugs are dosed by weight.

Cough tablets are inexpensive but effective

Dry cough is painful. It is not accompanied by mucus production, which makes it debilitating. Cough tablets for adults are prescribed with a targeted effect against dry cough and to improve and increase the removal of sputum. Inexpensive drugs will effectively eliminate cough in a short time. Here is a short list for dry cough:

1. Libexin;
2. Halixol;
3. Ambrohexal;

Libexin

• White, biconvex, round tablets.
• Release form: packs of 20 pieces.
• Prescribed for pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, stomatitis, reproductive, non-productive and irritating cough.
• The product eliminates cough, does not dry out mucous membranes, and gives a feeling of freshness in the mouth.
• Contraindications: pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Side effects: individual intolerance.
• Price: 230 rubles.

Halixol

• White, flat and round tablets. One side has a risk and engraving.
• The drug is prescribed for acute and chronic respiratory diseases with viscous sputum. In addition, it is used for otitis and sinusitis.
• Sputum quickly liquefies.
• The product begins to act half an hour after application.
• Contraindications: breastfeeding, stomach ulcers, pregnancy, children under 5 years of age, sensitivity to components.
• Price: 120 rubles.

• Combined antitussive and expectorant.
• Yellow or brown tablets with inclusions.
• Available in packs of 20 and 10 pieces.
• Prescribed for dry cough and bronchopulmonary diseases.
• Contraindications: asthma, breastfeeding, respiratory failure, pregnancy, concurrent use of analgesics or alcohol, sensitivity to components.
• Overdose: vomiting, allergies, itching, arrhythmia, drowsiness and others.
• Cannot be used for a long time - it is addictive.
• Price: 135 rubles.

Ambrohexal

• Combined remedy: mucolytic and expectorant effects.
• White, flat and round tablets with beveled and scored edges.
• Indications for use: cough with viscous sputum, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma.
• Contraindications: pregnancy, children under 6 years of age, breastfeeding, lactose and fructose intolerance.
• Overdose: diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
• Price: about 100 rubles.

• The drug has two actions: expectorant and antitussive.
• Release form: packs of 10 tablets.
• Contraindications: myasthenia gravis, pregnancy, lactation, sensitivity to components, use up to 12 years.
• Price: from 110 rubles.

For wet cough

A wet cough produces more sputum. In addition, it is very viscous. It is difficult to clear the secretions; there is a feeling that it is impossible to clear your throat. You can also use inexpensive cough tablets, which are both a thinner and an expectorant. Here is a short list of drugs for wet cough:

1. Doctor Mom;
2. Bromhexine;
3. Ambrobene;
4. Ascoril;
5. Linkus Lore;
6. Thermopsol.

Doctor Mom

• Expectorant and anti-inflammatory tablets-lozenges based on plants.
• Round, biconvex lozenges of different flavors.
• Available in aluminum blisters of 20 pieces.
• Indications: laryngitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, tracheitis, wet cough.
• Contraindications: children under 18 years of age, sensitivity to components.
• There is no information about overdose.
• The price varies from 150 to 230 rubles.

ACC

• Mucolytic drug.
• White, round, effervescent tablets.
• Release form: packs of 20 tablets.
• Indications: bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, laryngitis, bronchial asthma, accompanied by cough with viscous sputum.
• Contraindications: pulmonary hemorrhage, pregnancy, lactation, child under 2 or 14 years of age (age depends on the type of drug), stomach ulcer and sensitivity to components.
• Overdose: stomach pain, vomiting, heartburn, nausea and vomiting.
• Do not use in parallel with paracetamol and other cough medications.
• Price: 140 rubles.

Bromhexine

• Yellow or white round tablets.
• Contraindications: sensitivity to the component.
• When using the drug, avoid difficult and exhausting, as well as dangerous work and driving.
• Price: 25 and more rubles.

Combined drug with expectorant and mucolytic effects.

• White, flat, cylindrical tablets, scored and chamfered.
• Release form: packs of 10 tablets.
• Indications: bronchitis, bronchial asthma, COPD, accompanied by viscous sputum.
• Contraindications: ulcer, renal and liver failure.
• Overdose: diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.
• Price: from 30 rubles.

Ambrobene

• Positive results after 2 days of therapy.
• Contraindications: sensitivity or intolerance to marshmallow, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal diseases.
• Side effects: allergies.
• The drug can be combined with bicarbonate nitrate.
• Price: from 14 rubles.

Ascoril

• Bronchodilator, mucolytic and expectorant tablets.
• White color, round and flat shape. They have a chamfer and one-sided scoring.
• Available in packs of 10 and 20 pieces.
• Indications: bronchial asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, whooping cough, pulmonary tuberculosis, accompanied by viscous secretion in the lungs.
• Contraindications: heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, ulcers, kidney and liver failure, pregnancy, breastfeeding, use up to 6 years, sensitivity and intolerance to some components.
• Overdose: increased side effects.
• Price: from 170 rubles.

Linkus Lore

• Expectorant and anti-inflammatory lozenges.
• Round, flat, cylindrical lozenges with a rounded chamfer. Light brown color. Lozenges are available in different flavors.
• Available in blisters of 8 pieces per pack.
• Indications: cough with viscous and difficult to separate sputum.
• Contraindications: children under 18 years of age, sensitivity to components.
• Side effects: allergies.
• Price: from 80 rubles.

• White, round tablets.
• Available in 10 pieces.
• Contraindications: hypersensitivity, diabetes, age under 7 years, asthma, spasmophilia.
• Side effects: allergies.
• There is no information about overdoses.
• Price: from 30 rubles.

• Flat, cylindrical, green-gray tablets with a chamfer. The tablets may also have dark spots.
• Available in 10 pieces per pack.
• Contraindications: ulcers, hypersensitivity and intolerance to components, children under 2 years of age, pregnancy and lactation.
• Overdose: vomiting and nausea.
• It is recommended to drink plenty of water while using the tablets.
• Price: from 30 rubles.

Thermopsol

Cough tablets with thermopsis, having an expectorant effect.

• Indications: cough with sputum.
• Contraindications: ulcers, hypersensitivity and intolerance to components, children under 12 years of age, pregnancy and lactation.
• Overdose: nausea.
• Price: from 80 rubles.

For children

Coughing attacks that constantly torment a child immediately require referral to a specialist. Visit a doctor at the clinic or invite him to your home. The doctor will determine the type of cough and prescribe the necessary medicine. Don't self-medicate! List of cough medications for children:

1. Codelac;
2. Libexin;
3. Terpincold;
4. Omnitus;
5. Bromhexine;
6. Tusuprex;
7. Ambrosan;
8. Butamirat.

Let's tell you more about each.

Codelac

• Prescribed for children from 2 years of age.
• Liquefies mucus and removes it from the lungs. A good antitussive drug that affects cough centers.
• The composition includes thermopsis, licorice and codeine.
• Price: from 150 rubles

Libexin

• White, flat, round tablets. There is an engraving on both sides.
• Available in packs of 20 pieces.
• Triple action against cough. The product helps to relax the bronchi, reduce irritation and reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings receptors.
• Suitable for severe dry cough, non-productive cough of various origins, night cough. The medicine helps reduce the sensitivity of respiratory tract receptors and dilates the bronchi.
• The drug begins to act effectively after 3-4 hours.
• Dosage based on body weight and caution.
• Side effects: allergies, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness.
• The price of Libexin cough tablets is about 250 rubles.

Terpincold

• The drug has: expectorant, anesthetic and antitussive effects.
• White, flat cylindrical tablets, chamfered and scored.
• Available in packs of 10 pieces.
• Indications: dry and unproductive cough.
• Relieves excitability from bronchial receptors and promotes the production of activating mucus.
• Contraindications: child under 12 years of age, myasthenia gravis, pregnancy, lactation, sensitivity to components.
• Overdose: increased drowsiness, nausea and vomiting.
• Price: from 110 rubles.
• Suitable for children over 12 years old.

Omnitus

• The tablets have an expectorant, antitussive, anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator effect.
• Release form: packs of 10, 20 tablets.
• Indications: dry cough for influenza, whooping cough and other diseases.
• Contraindications: pregnancy, breastfeeding, children under 6 years of age, sensitivity to some components.
• Overdose: fatigue, diarrhea, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
• Side effects: stomach upset.
• Suitable for children from 6 years old.
• Price: from 110 rubles.

• An expectorant drug.
• Indications: cough with viscous sputum.
• Suitable for children from 2 years old. It is important to consider dosage, body weight and age.
• Price: from 30 rubles.

• Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, painkiller tablets.
• Indications: laryngitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, tonsillitis, cough with viscous sputum, rhinitis.
• The drug is suitable for children from 7 years of age.
• Price: from 30 rubles.

• Mucolytic drug.
• Indications: bronchitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, asthma, stomach ulcers, gastritis.
• It is used in the treatment of children from 2 years of age.
• Price: from 14 rubles.

Bromhexine

• Expectorant, mucolytic and antitussive drug.
• Indications: bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pneumonia, accompanied by viscous sputum.
• Do not combine with codeine-containing medications.
• Suitable for children from 7 years old.
• Price: 25 and more rubles.

Tusuprex

• Action: antitussive and expectorant.
• Available in packs of 30 tablets.
• Indications: different types of cough.
• Contraindications: bronchitis with difficult sputum discharge, and other bronchial diseases.
• Side effects: weakness and drowsiness.
• Can be used in therapy for children under one year of age, following the instructions.
• Price: from 200 rubles.

Ambrosan

• A drug with expectorant, sectoral, antitussive and mucolytic effects.
• Available in packs of 10 pieces.
• Indications: cough with viscous sputum in various diseases.
• Contraindications: sensitivity, pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver failure.
• Side effects: allergies, rash, diarrhea, chills, nausea, vomiting.
• It is used in the treatment of children from 2 years of age with an appropriate dosage as prescribed by a doctor.
• Price: from 90 rubles.

Butamirat

• Antitussive and bronchodilator.
• Available in the form of drops, syrup and tablets.
• Indications: acute cough of various origins.
• Contraindications: sensitivity, pregnancy, lactation.
• Side effects: nausea, allergies, diarrhea, dizziness.
• Can be given in the form of drops to children up to 2 months, syrup - up to 3 years, tablets - from 6 years.
• Price: from 160 rubles.

Many diseases are very often accompanied by a cough, which is considered a protective physiological reaction of the body in response to the irritating effect of chemical, physical or organic factors on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. With the help of a cough, the body tries to maximally cleanse and free the respiratory tract from foreign bodies or phlegm, which is produced in response to the inflammatory process, in a word, from everything that should not be normally in the respiratory system.

In this regard, the issue of suppressing the cough reflex should not arise in principle. Indeed, in the absence of the ability to cough, the respiratory tract will become overfilled with constantly produced sputum and become impenetrable to air. But you still have to eliminate the cough when it becomes annoyingly painful, being completely unproductive, or alleviate it, making it more effective for freeing the bronchi from secretions.

Before you continue reading: If you are looking for an effective method of getting rid of runny nose, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis or colds, then be sure to check out Book section of the site after reading this article. This information has helped so many people, we hope it will help you too! So, now back to the article.

In each case, you have to select certain “cough pills”. By the way, this name is absolutely incorrect in medical terms. It sounds as ridiculous as the phrase “head pills.” But due to the fact that this very concept has taken root among the people, in this article we will use similar phrases for the convenience of our readers in order to clearly talk about the principles of choosing and using cough medications.

This topic is very important, because often sick people try to self-medicate without turning to a doctor, but to pharmacists who work in pharmacies, where entire display cases are filled with various antitussives in the form of tablets, drops, inhalers, sprays, syrups, mixtures, infusions , tinctures, suspensions, etc., the number of which is simply dizzying. As a result, the sick person relies on the advice of the pharmacist, who is generally prohibited from advising anything. After all, only a specialist doctor has the right to advise which cough tablets to choose.

Why is the list of cough tablets so long?

The answer to this question is quite simple - cough and cough are different. It occurs due to many reasons and various diseases, which is why it is necessary to select strictly defined, most effective cough remedies to treat the corresponding ailment, eliminate or alleviate a certain type of cough.

The respiratory tract, or rather, the mucous membranes of the bronchi, constantly produce a certain amount of mucus, regardless of whether the person is sick or healthy. But with the development of the pathological process, the amount of sputum or mucus increases sharply, and the excess is removed only by coughing. But even without the production of sputum, any irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract leads to a cough, only a very unproductive one.

From this large list, it is difficult for a person ignorant of medicine to understand which antitussive medications to choose so that the treatment is effective and the cough is productive, easier and quicker.

Basic principles of treating dry cough

At the very beginning of the development of the inflammatory process in the respiratory tract, as well as in many other diseases not related to the pathology of the respiratory system, the cough can be very severe, painful, and annoying. A dry cough without sputum production occurs against the background of irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which can have a wide variety of origins, for example, inflammatory, allergic, infectious and non-infectious.

In this case, the cough does not bring any benefit, but only exhausts the already exhausted sick person. The only way to eliminate such a cough is to use antitussive drugs that suppress the activity of the cough center or act on the receptors of the bronchial mucosa.

At this stage of treatment, narcotic and non-narcotic drugs will be very effective, for example, Codelac tablets, which are based on Codeine. Codeine-containing drugs are very effective, but they are sold in free pharmacies only with special prescriptions from doctors, because they can cause drug addiction.

But instead of them, the pharmacological industry offers no less effective, but safer, not affecting the respiratory center, quite affordable drugs that do not contain narcotic substances. These include a fairly large list of non-narcotic cough medicines - Libexin, Tusuprex, Paxeladin, Glaucine, etc.

These drugs work mainly through the peripheral route, reducing the sensitivity of receptors in the bronchial mucosa, although they can also affect the cough center. Bronchial receptors are very sensitive, they instantly react to irritation and send signals to the medulla oblongata, where the cough center is immediately activated and a cough reflex occurs. These drugs are not addictive and do not lead to drug dependence, so they can also be used for treating coughs in children.

Combination medications for dry cough are also becoming very popular, for example, Broncholitin, which, in addition to the antitussive substance Glaucine, also contains the well-known Ephedrine, as well as Basil oil. The list of tablets, mixtures, and cough syrups in this category is very large, and certain principles must be followed in using these medications.

It is forbidden to use these very effective and good tablets to treat any type of cough if it becomes wet in nature, otherwise blocking the cough will lead to disruption of lung cleansing and sputum removal, and this is a direct path to the development of pneumonia and impaired ventilation of the lungs. You should know the general contraindications for the use of drugs in this group:

1. If there is hypersensitivity to the active and auxiliary components of the drug;

2. Not for pregnant and lactating women;

4. Respiratory failure of 2-3 degrees was revealed;

5. History of aggravated form of bronchial asthma.

Which ones are better to choose and how to take tablets to treat dry cough?

Of course, there is no definite answer to this question, because the choice of medication is always selected on an individual basis. In addition, when choosing a medicine, you need to pay attention to the release form of the drug. For example, for young children it is better to buy syrup rather than tablets to treat a dry hacking cough.

This form, such as effervescent or absorbable tablets for the treatment of cough, is absorbed much faster, their effect occurs very quickly, but they are also not suitable for children.

In addition, effervescent tablets, as an antitussive, should not be taken by those who have high acidity of gastric juice, hyperacid gastritis, or peptic ulcer disease.

1. Libexin

If a dry cough occurs at the onset of a cold, flu, acute or exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, as well as in patients suffering from heart failure, it is recommended to use Libexin. These cheap cough medications are quite comparable in effectiveness to codeine-containing drugs.

The medicine reduces the sensitivity of cough receptors, affects the cough reflex, but does not have a depressing effect on the respiratory center. In addition, Libexin has mild anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator effects.

If this drug is sold under the name Libexin muco, this means that it contains a mucolytic - Carbocisteine, which reduces the viscosity of sputum. Libexin can be prescribed to young children, but with caution.

According to the instructions, the tablet drug Libexin is used according to a scheme that involves taking it up to 4 times a day in doses corresponding to the patient’s age - from ¼ to 2 tablets at a time, without chewing the tablets, because they cause anesthesia of the oral mucosa. The duration of action of this drug is quite short - 3-4 hours.

This fairly simple cough medicine may have another trade name, Glauvent. The drug has a central effect directly on the cough center, but it is not a narcotic drug, does not cause depression of respiration and intestinal motility, or addiction to it.

Glaucine can be prescribed to children from 4 years of age, but is not prescribed to persons who have had a myocardial infarction and are diagnosed with arterial hypotension, because it can cause a decrease in blood pressure. A pronounced antitussive effect occurs within 30 minutes and lasts for almost 8 hours, which is why it is enough to use it 2-3 times a day.

3. Bithiodine

Among the drugs of peripheral action, the most effective are the common and simple cough pills Bitiodine, which in terms of the strength of their action is quite comparable to Codeine, but at the same time does not cause addiction like narcotic antitussives and has very few side effects. This feature allows it to be used in the treatment of cough in children.

Bitiodine is used up to 2-3 times a day; it has virtually no contraindications, except in cases where patients experience hypersensitivity to the drug.

4. Stoptussin

A very popular antitussive drug Stoptussin, which in addition to suppressing the cough reflex has mucolytic properties. It contains butamirate and guaifenesin, which causes an expectorant effect. These effective cough tablets are used up to 4-6 times a day because the drug has a half-life of 6 hours.

Despite all its effectiveness, Stoptusin has a large list of contraindications: it cannot be used in the first trimester of pregnancy (with caution in the 2nd and 3rd trimester), it cannot be used during breastfeeding, for the treatment of children under 12 years of age, and also for myasthenia gravis. During treatment, side effects may occur in the form of diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain and headaches, dizziness and allergic reactions.

To treat cough, it is better for pregnant women to choose other, safer options than Stoptussin.

5. Bronholitin

Bronholitin is available in syrup form and is a combination cough medicine that contains glaucine and ephedrine. In addition to the antitussive effect and inhibition of the cough reflex, the medicine dilates the bronchi and has an anti-inflammatory effect. The range of applications of this syrup is very wide - from catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis, pneumonia, to the treatment of whooping cough, COPD and bronchial asthma.

Bronholitin can increase blood pressure, increase heart rate, cause extrasystoles, dizziness, insomnia, hand tremors, dyspepsia, and visual impairment. However, this drug is widely used in pediatrics for the treatment of respiratory diseases in children over 3 years of age. It dilates the bronchi well, reduces mucus secretion and has a gentle effect on the cough center.

During pregnancy, give preference to other drugs in the treatment of cough, which are safer, but in case of urgent need, Bronholitin can be used only in the 2nd and 3rd trimester under the supervision of a doctor. It should not be included in the treatment regimen during breastfeeding, for patients with hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, with thyrotoxicosis, prostatic hyperplasia and pheochromocytoma.

Topical cough medicines

The group of antitussive drugs includes drugs that inhibit the cough reflex by anesthetizing the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which sharply reduces the irritating effect of various infectious and non-infectious, physical and chemical factors. Such drugs can reduce the viscosity of sputum and relax the bronchi.

These medications are used mainly in the form of inhalations for irrigation to moisturize the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which seriously reduces the cough reflex. Benzoate or sodium and ammonium chloride, sodium bicarbonate are added to the inhalation composition for this purpose.

Many essential oils and plant extracts, such as eucalyptus, wild cherry, and acacia, have a good effect. Local anesthetics, such as Tetracaine, Benzocaine or Cyclaine, are introduced into inhalers (nebulizers). But this method of treatment can only be used in inpatient settings.

Local anesthetics include Libexin tablets, which we wrote about above, as well as Falimint and Tusuprex.

1. Falimint

Falimint lozenges are used in case of unproductive irritating cough caused by catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. The medicine has a mild local anesthetic effect, reduces the intensity of dry cough, and thins sputum.

Falimint is absorbed very quickly and can be used up to 10 times a day, but the duration of treatment should not exceed several days. These lozenges should not be used to treat cough in children under 4 years of age, in pregnant or breastfeeding children, or in cases of hypersensitivity to it or fructose intolerance.

2. Tusuprex

Very popular and very effective tablets for the treatment of dry non-productive cough Tusuprex have a weak expectorant effect and a suppressive effect on the cough reflex. But unlike Codeine, Tusuprex does not depress breathing and does not lead to addiction or drug dependence. However, during treatment the medicine may cause digestive disorders.

Tusuprex is often used to treat cough in children even under 1 year of age. According to the instructions, these pills cannot be used against the background of bronchospasm, bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis and bronchitis with difficult sputum discharge.

Mechanism of action of expectorant drugs: treatment features

Expectorant drugs reflexively increase the secretion of sputum in the bronchi, dilute the secretion and facilitate its easier passage from the lower parts of the respiratory tract to the higher parts. These drugs irritate the receptors of the gastric mucosa, stimulate the vomiting center, which is located in the medulla oblongata, thereby significantly increasing the secretion of sputum by the bronchial glands.

Expectorants are prescribed in cases where little or a lot of sputum is produced, but it is very thick, viscous, difficult to separate, which occurs with bronchitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, bronchial asthma, as well as pneumoconiosis and cystic fibrosis.

When treating respiratory diseases with expectorants, they cannot be combined with drugs that depress the cough center and inhibit the cough reflex, because with such a symbiosis, a large amount of sputum accumulates in the respiratory tract, leading to their obliteration and the occurrence of severe inflammatory diseases of the lower respiratory organs, for example , pneumonia.

There are two groups of expectorant drugs for wet coughs, which differ in their mechanism of action - drugs with a reflex and direct effect.

The most popular herbal expectorants

Expectorants with reflex action are mainly represented by medicinal herbs and their extracts, which enhance and accelerate the removal of mucus from the respiratory system. This group is very broad, and most of these drugs are herbal preparations.

Plant extracts have expectorant properties - licorice, marshmallow, deyasil, anise, wild rosemary, plantain, oregano, coltsfoot, thyme, ipecac, violet, sundew, thermopsis, pine buds, thyme, etc.

Plant extracts of these herbs are included in various breast mixtures, powders, tablets, and syrups for wet coughs.

1. Doctor "Mom"

One of the most prominent representatives of herbal expectorant medicines are tablets, syrup or cough lozenges "Doctor Mom", which contains several plant extracts - aloe, elecampane, basil, ginger, licorice, turmeric, cubeba pepper, Indian nightshade and terminalia. This remedy is a combination one. Its scope of application ranges from laryngitis to pneumonia.

The drug has anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, expectorant, emollient, secretomotor, muco- and secretolytic and expectorant effects. Thanks to this, sputum quickly liquefies and is easily removed from the inflamed bronchi, and a dry hacking cough quickly transforms into a wet one.

“Doctor Mom” is produced not only in the form of syrup, but also in the form of cough lozenges in orange, lemon, raspberry, strawberry, pineapple, fruit and berry flavors, which children really like. True, lozenges are prescribed only from the age of 14, and the syrup can be used to treat 3-year-old children and older children.

2. Mukaltin

Mucaltin tablets are created on the basis of only one plant substance - marshmallow extract. It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory, expectorant effect, which is caused by reflex stimulation of the activity of the ciliated epithelium of the respiratory tract, as well as an increase in bronchiole peristalsis and the secretion of bronchial glands.

The composition of tablets for the treatment of wet cough Mucaltin also includes sodium bicarbonate, which helps make sputum more liquid and increase bronchial secretion. Currently, this rather old drug is recognized as one of the most effective expectorant drugs, as evidenced by numerous reviews of these tablets, which were used to treat cough.

3. Thermopsis - cough tablets

When asked what are the best tablets for wet coughs, one immediately remembers the rather old and still very popular Thermopsis - tablets that contain the thermopsis herb itself and sodium bicarbonate, which enhances the secretion of sputum, while simultaneously reducing its viscosity. Many years have passed since Thermopsis appeared, but the effectiveness and popularity of this medicine in the treatment of cough has not decreased.

There are no chemicals in these tablets, and in comparison with new, very expensive drugs, they are actually not inferior in effectiveness. There are contraindications for the drug - peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, individual intolerance and pregnancy.

Thermopsis is an excellent remedy for cough therapy in children. However, this drug should not be used for infants if they suffer from bronchitis or pneumonia with large sputum production. Babies simply will not be able to cough due to increased secretion of mucus in the respiratory tract, which will quickly lead to respiratory failure.

In large doses, Thermopsis exhibits an emetic effect; at the beginning of treatment (up to 5 days) it can cause nausea in children.

4. Other expectorant tablets of herbal origin

The pharmacy chain now sells a lot of imported expectorants; they are quite expensive, although, in fact, they have a similar effect and effect as cheap, but very effective, domestic cough medicines.

It is the right of every person to choose which drug to choose, but Bronchicum, Gedelix, Eucabal and many drugs will have a similar effect to the usual and accessible Mucaltin or Thermopsis.

Expectorants of artificial origin

Expectorant antitussive drugs with direct action enhance the excretion of bronchial secretions by affecting the sputum itself and stimulating the bronchi. This group is mainly represented by artificial medicinal substances, for example, iodized sodium and potassium salts, sodium hydrochloride, potassium bromide, sodium benzoate, ammonium chloride, as well as essential oils - eucalyptus, anise or terpinhydrate.

These expectorants are mainly used for inhalation, but when they enter the gastrointestinal tract, due to their resorptive action, they quickly penetrate the circulatory system and are then released through the bronchial mucosa and dilute and increase the amount of sputum. Their effectiveness is quite decent considering the fact that these drugs are very accessible and cheap.

In the pharmacy chain you can find combination drugs for cough treatment that combine herbal substances and cheap chemicals, for example, the same ones - Thermopsis or Ammonia-Anise tablets. The proven Pertussin, which contains potassium bromide and thyme extract, has become very popular in this group.

Scope of application of mucolytic drugs

Expectorants, first of all, increase the production of bronchial secretions, and the action of mucolytics is aimed at liquefying the viscous and thick secretion of the bronchial glands to facilitate their removal from the respiratory tract without increasing sputum secretion.

Mucolytic tablets are one of the main means in the treatment of wet cough. They restore the mucous membranes of the bronchi damaged during the pathological inflammatory process, as well as the elasticity of the lungs.

This group of drugs includes Bromhexine, ACC, Ambroxol, Carbocyten and many others. When combining various herbal expectorants with mucolytics, the effectiveness of both increases dramatically.

It should be noted that both Bromhexine and Ambroxol affect the formation of pulmonary surfactant, which ensures the functioning of the alveoli of the lung tissue, preventing them from sticking together and collapsing. In addition, Ambroxol inhibits the breakdown of surfactant. This circumstance speaks in favor of the use of these drugs in pediatric practice for the treatment of very young children, especially under the age of 5 years.

But these drugs have one unpleasant feature. They can cause bronchospasm, which is why they are contraindicated for use during an exacerbation of bronchial asthma. In such cases, preference is given to bronchodilators, but not to atropine, which makes sputum more viscous and difficult to remove.

1. Bromhexine

This mucolytic drug can be presented in the pharmacy chain under the trade names Solvin, Phlegamine, Bisolvon. Its action is to reduce the viscosity of sputum and stimulate its secretion by the bronchial glands, which explains the expectorant effect of the drug. According to the instructions, Bromhexine tablets can be used to treat cough in children starting from the age of 3, because this drug is low-toxic.

This medicine can be used for a long time - up to 4 weeks. It is contraindicated only in the first trimester of pregnancy, children under 3 years of age, with stomach ulcers and recent bleeding, as well as with hypersensitivity to the drug. In other cases, this is a very effective and popular cough remedy.

2. Ambroxol

The drug Ambroxol is very popular; it has pronounced mucolytic and expectorant effects. In the pharmacy chain, the medicine is sold under the names Ambrobene, Ambrolytic, Lazolvan, Lindoxil, Bronchopront, Viscomcil, Mucozan, Mucofar, Mucovent, Mucosolvan, Fluixol, Secretil, etc.

The active substance is a derivative of Bromhexine; it perfectly stimulates alveolar secretion. The mucolytic agent Ambroxol affects the concentration of antibiotics in the lung tissue, which contributes to more effective anti-inflammatory and antibacterial therapy.

At the same time, Ambroxol practically does not suppress cough, but combining it with other antitussive drugs is not recommended. This medicine is widely used by pediatricians in the treatment of even infants.

By the way, the difference between all the listed analogues of Ambroxol lies only in the name of the manufacturing company, despite the fact that the Kiev “anti-cough” tablets Ambroxol are in no way inferior to the German Lazolvan in effectiveness, but they are several times cheaper than the imported analogue.

3. ACC - cough tablets Acetylcysteine

ACC effectively thins thick and viscous mucus, ensuring its faster removal, but at the same time acts as an antidote for paracetamol, aldehydes and phenols. Due to the fact that it easily crosses the placenta, it should be used with caution during pregnancy, although ACC has not been shown to have an embryotoxic effect. It is often prescribed to nursing mothers, but only under medical supervision.

The instructions clearly indicate how to take ACC cough tablets, and it is worth noting that this drug can be prescribed from the 10th day of a child’s life. The duration of the course of taking the drug can reach several months, which indicates the absence of toxicity if the correct dosage is observed.

It is worth considering that side effects when taking Acetylcysteine ​​do exist, and they are quite extensive - from dyspepsia, increased blood pressure, bronchospasm to skin and allergic manifestations.

ACC is not used in cases of bleeding in the lungs, stomach ulcers, hepatitis, renal failure, or a history of fructose intolerance. The drug cannot be used in conjunction with Tetracycline and its derivatives, aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, or semisynthetic penicillins. It should not be combined in treatment with other antitussives to prevent congestion of the respiratory tract.

Features of the use of combined antitussives

Recently, combination cough preparations have become very popular, which contain more than two active ingredients that have antitussive, antihistamine, bronchodilator, mucolytic and expectorant effects. They often contain antipyretic and antibacterial substances.

Of course, they are very effective, however, contraindications and the presence of a large number of side effects are directly dependent on the amount of medicinal ingredients, which makes it very difficult to select the dose and combine them with other medications. It is not recommended to use such cough medicines for children.

The list of combined drugs includes Codelac phyto, Stoptussin, tablets (lozenges) “Doctor Mom”, Tussin plus, Broncholitin.

Remember that if the cough does not go away for several weeks, is accompanied by painful sensations in the chest and the release of thick purulent sputum while the temperature persists, this is a reason to urgently consult a doctor, even if at least one of the listed symptoms is present.