Dry cough occurs for various reasons. Most often, it is from him that colds infectious diseases of the respiratory tract begin. As a rule, after 2-3 days it turns into a wet form, but it can also happen that bronchospasm without sputum secretion lasts for a longer period. This happens in case of allergic reactions, severe infectious disorders. Dry cough syrups will help alleviate the condition.
How syrups work
A dry cough syrup should do two things: to cut phlegm so that it leaves the airways more quickly, and to relieve spasms. The appearance of mucus when coughing up is extremely important, since together with it, pathogenic microflora and products of its vital activity are excreted from the body. Also, the secret moisturizes the bronchi, which protects them from damage. If the dry cough does not recede, then it is likely that the infection will spread to other parts of the respiratory system and cause serious complications.
In some situations, it is necessary to fight the spasm itself, since coughing attacks prevent a person from sleeping normally, working, and leading an active lifestyle. In this case, syrups are used that suppress the activity of the cough center. They can have a natural or synthetic base, but in any case, they cause side effects if the dosage is not followed. The appointment of such drugs is done only by a doctor.
Types of drugs
It is easier for adults to choose dry cough syrup than for children. The funds of this group have a rather aggressive composition, therefore they can negatively affect the work of the child's body.
Two types of drugs will help to alleviate the patient's condition:
- antitussives - act on the part of the brain responsible for the cough reflex, suppress its activity;
- combined - can simultaneously have an antitussive and mucolytic effect, relieve inflammation, disinfect mucous membranes and perform other functions.
It is important to remember that dry and wet cough syrup should not be taken at the same time. This can lead to increased phlegm production and stagnation in the airways, as the cough center will not respond to irritation.
This situation is fraught with the appearance of suppuration and the spread of infections to other organs, general intoxication. But pharmacists have learned to combine mucolytic and antitussive properties in combined agents, the dosage of the constituents in them is selected very precisely, and each component performs its functions.
However, you cannot use two separate medicines from different groups on your own, this can seriously harm your health.
Factors in the selection of funds
It is impossible to choose a good dry cough syrup on your own, since they all have their own contraindications. The therapy is prescribed by the doctor after a detailed examination of the patient and the diagnosis. In this case, the following factors are taken into account:
the patient's age;- the presence of chronic and acute diseases;
- the presence of violations in the digestive tract;
- predisposition to allergies;
- type of cough, its frequency;
- the disease that caused the disorder;
- a list of other drugs used for treatment;
- the degree of weakening of the respiratory function.
the patient's age;It is important to consider all these parameters so as not to harm the patient. To identify contraindications and indications for the use of a certain drug, the doctor must conduct a detailed examination of the patient, study the results of laboratory tests, and collect anamnesis.
Only a careful approach to the choice of syrup against dry cough will contribute to the fastest recovery.
Popular remedies
Now on the shelves of pharmacies you can find a lot of drugs that improve coughing. However, it is impossible to say for sure which cough syrup is better. All medicines have a different composition and different active substances. They also have different effects on the body of a particular patient.
Consider the most popular remedies to help alleviate the condition.
| Drug name | Active substances | Mechanism of action | Advantages | disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Bronholitin" | Glaucine (non-narcotic antitussive agent), ephedrine hydrochloride. | Relieves bronchospasm, dilates the bronchi. | The drug is combined, performs several functions at once, quickly facilitates breathing, does not contain narcotic substances. | It has a wide range of contraindications, it is prohibited for use in hypertension, heart failure, sleep disturbances, thyroid disorders, during pregnancy and lactation. Contains alcohol, may cause adverse reactions. |
| "Bronchicum" | Extract of thyme herb and primrose root. | Relieves inflammation, fights bacteria-causative agents of the disease, improves the expectoration of viscous sputum. | Natural base, combined effect. | Contains ethyl alcohol, therefore it is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, people with alcohol dependence. It is also prohibited for patients with congenital glucose intolerance, serious liver, kidney and cardiovascular diseases. |
| "Codelac Fito" | Codeine, herbal extracts. | It inhibits the activity of the cough center at the level of the central nervous system, stimulates the production of mucus and liquefies it, relieves inflammation and disinfects. | A potent drug that helps to cope with coughs of any origin has a combined effect. | With prolonged use, it is addictive, since it contains codeine, it can cause side effects such as headache, drowsiness, urinary retention, vomiting, itching, poor coordination, slow breathing and heartbeat. Contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women, patients with bronchial asthma and respiratory failure, slows down the reaction, therefore it is not suitable for drivers and people working with complex mechanisms, should not be taken with alcohol. |
| "Gerbion" | Mallow and plantain extract. | Softens mucous membranes, promotes expectoration, relieves inflammation and prevents the growth of bacterial flora. | The drug is a broad spectrum of action, made on a natural plant basis. | Expectant mothers and lactating women are indicated only in very serious cases. Forbidden for patients with diabetes mellitus, fructose intolerance and impaired glucose absorption. |
| "Stopussin Fito" | Thyme, thyme and plantain extract. | Reduces the viscosity of phlegm, stimulates its excretion from the respiratory tract, relieves inflammation. | Combined effective preparation on a natural basis, has minimal side effects. | Contains ethyl alcohol, therefore it is prohibited during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for people with diseases of the kidneys, liver and cardiovascular system. |
| "Sinekod" | Butamirate citrate. | It inhibits the activity of the cough center, expands the bronchi, which facilitates breathing. | Non-narcotic drug, not addictive. | Incompatible with expectorant drugs, may cause drowsiness, drop in blood pressure, nausea, dizziness. |
| "Tussin Plus" | Guaifenesin, dextomethorphan. | Inhibits the activity of the cough center at the level of the brain, improves expectoration. | The drug is highly effective, provides relief immediately after use. | Contains a narcotic substance (dextometorphan), therefore it can be addictive, has many contraindications. May cause negative reactions, similar to codeine. |
| "Linax" | Extracts and extracts from more than 10 plants. | At the same time, it reduces the intensity of cough and liquefies mucus, relieves inflammation, enhances expectoration, disinfects, has antiallergic and sedative effects. | Completely natural combined preparation, has a minimum of contraindications. | Not suitable for use by vehicle drivers, persons who operate complex mechanisms and lead an active lifestyle, as it gives a sedative effect. The drug is not prescribed for pregnant women and lactating mothers; diabetics should be taken with caution, since the composition contains sucrose. |
| "Ascoril" | Salbutamol, bromhexine hydrochloride. | Expands the lumen of the bronchi, enhances ventilation in the lungs, stimulates the production and excretion of phlegm. | An effective remedy with a complex effect. | It can give side effects in the form of nausea, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, heart palpitations, increased excitability of the nervous system. In rare cases, urine staining is observed in pink. |
Let's summarize
It is possible to improve the patient's condition with a dry cough with the help of syrups. They have different effects on the body and have a different composition. Only a doctor chooses them, self-treatment is strictly prohibited.
It is also contraindicated to exceed the dosage of drugs, to arbitrarily extend the course of treatment.
With the right use of funds, you can quickly recover and prevent complications. Treat your treatment responsibly and follow the recommendations of your doctors to maintain your health.
