What cough medicine for children to choose: effectiveness, instructions, reviews

Without a cough, a child does not get by any respiratory infection. Thanks to the reflex, which arises in response to irritation of the mucous membranes, the airways are released from the accumulated secret and pathogens of the disease. The cough medicine for children should be prescribed taking into account the nature of the symptoms and the cause, and it is better to entrust the responsible pediatrician to this responsibility.

Cough medicine for children - types of drugs

Cough - one of the most unpleasant manifestations of the disease. He is painful, exhausting, causes pain in the throat and chest, prevents sleep. Even adults can not easily cope with such a state, what can we say about babies. Parents in an effort to help the child go to the pharmacy and ask for "something" from a cough.

Meanwhile, the abundance of drugs exists for a reason. Medications on different active substances have a different mechanism of action and are shown in different cases. Many of these drugs are contraindicated to babies, as they can not only provoke impairment, but also are simply dangerous for children.

Before choosing which medicine to give a child for a cough, it is necessary to understand how the drugs of one or another group work:

1. Antitussives are based on the suppression of the cough-brain center. In fact, they do not treat, do not clean the bronchi and do not reduce inflammation, but simply suppress the cough reflex. These drugs can contain opioids( for example, Codeine, is dispensed exclusively by prescription) and non-narcotic substances( Sinekod, Tusuprex).They are used strictly according to the doctor's prescription for dry cough, have a lot of contraindications and are not recommended for children, except for cases of diagnosed pertussis.
2. Bronchodilators - relieve spasms in the bronchi, relaxing the smooth muscles. The use of bronchodilators is recommended for the cessation of paroxysmal coughing in bronchitis and other diseases accompanied by narrowing of the respiratory tract and edema.
3. Mucolytics are substances that contribute to the liquefaction of phlegm due to active production of mucus. The liquid secret is easier to remove from the bronchi.
4. Expectorants - due to the irritation of the mucous membranes, these drugs intensify coughing for a more intensive and qualitative release of the respiratory tract from sputum.
5. Anti-inflammatory - treat cough, reducing inflammation of the bronchial mucosa.
6. Combined - drugs containing several active substances, work in a complex.

Characteristics of cough in children depending on the pathology of

The main thing that the pharmacist asks when choosing a drug is - what kind of cough in the child, dry or wet? This is important, since dry is unproductive: sputum does not depart from it and the bronchi are not cleaned. Such a cough is strongly recommended to transfer to moist.

However, one of these characteristics can not correctly choose a medicine. Dry cough can occur due to allergies, perspiration in the throat, irritation of the mucosa in the common cold, while the airways themselves are not involved in inflammation and in fact there is nothing to cough up there.

In addition to the effectiveness of cough, other signs that depend on the disease should be taken into account:

• for acute respiratory infections - begins as dry, then intensifies and turns into productive;
• with laryngitis - painful dry, accompanied by barking, hissing sounds, hoarseness;
• with pharyngitis - a reflex character, the cause - a sore throat;
• with tracheitis is deep and painful;
• with bronchitis - loud, painless and productive;
• for pneumonia - moist, with intercostal pain;
• with chlamydial pneumonia - seizures, without sputum;
• in case of influenza - dry, painful, with temperature increasing;
• with measles - dry cough in the first 2 - 3 days, then - hoarse;
• with bronchial obstruction - dry, wheezing, with shortness of breath;
• for allergies - dry, against a background of dyspnea, lacrimation and other allergic symptoms.

In addition, a cough generally may not be associated with the disease. Breathing pathways are spontaneously cleared, so coughing after sleep, when playing games, when foreign objects( dust, crumbs) get into them is absolutely normal.

Obviously, the nature of the cough to determine its cause is not so simple. And without this, it is impossible to design an optimal treatment regimen. The rule "first to the doctor, then - to the pharmacy" helps not to experiment, but immediately buy an effective cough medicine for children. Parents will not only help to save their beloved child from torment, but also save money.

Features of treatment

In young children, the respiratory muscles are very weak, therefore, in diseases often there is an unproductive cough. Both the suppression of the cough reflex and the use of expectorants can complicate the course of the disease: both types of bronchial stasis stagnate, which creates ideal conditions for pathogenic microorganisms and the transition of infection to the lungs.

The independent choice of cough medicine for children under 1 year old is not the best solution. The child must be shown to the pediatrician, and before the diagnosis and obtaining medical appointments to ease the condition of the baby can be using a dispersive inhalation 2-3 ml of saline through the nebulizer.

Approximately up to 3 years, the child has difficulty with coughing, and parental initiative in treatment during this period is inappropriate. Only from the school age can begin to give most "adult" drugs in children's dosages and forms of release: drops, syrup, solution for inhalation.

General principles of therapy:

1. For the relief of dry cough appoint drugs such as Berodual, Stoptussin, Broncholitin( depending on the diagnosis).
2. When sputum appears, antitussive drugs are canceled and the expectorant is started( Gedelix, Dr. Mom and others).

What to give to a child with a dry cough

What kind of medicine for a dry cough for children is better to give to a sick child, it is necessary to decide on the circumstances. With exhausting unproductive "barking", when the baby is suffering seizures, there is no way to clear his throat, the use of suppressive agents under the supervision of a doctor is justified. In all other cases, the goal of treatment is to transform a dry cough into wet.

Central-acting antidotal drugs

A group of central-medicine drugs fights with a cough at the level of the brain. By acting directly on the cough center, such drugs quickly and effectively relieve the painful symptoms, but require caution when taken:

1. Broncholitin. The composition includes ephedrine, glaucine, essential oil of basil, which contribute to cessation of coughing and relieve bronchospasm. Of the side effects are not excluded dizziness, drowsiness, tachycardia. You can give as a cough medicine to a child 3 years and older.
2. Sinekod. At the heart of the drug - butamirate - a substance with antitussive and bronchodilator effect. Against the background of admission, the child has nausea, diarrhea, weakness. The medicine in the drops is allowed for two months old babies, in syrup - after 3 years. Instead of Sinecod, you can use Kodelak Neo.
3. Stoptussin. The formula of the drug includes butamirate and guaifenesin. The combination of active ingredients contributes to the suppression of cough and the formation of sputum. Side effects - as in Sinecoda, plus probably stone formation in the kidneys. The drug is available in two forms: syrup for children from 3 years old, and in drops - from six months of age.
4. Kodelak Fito. The preparation contains codeine, extracts of thyme and licorice root. The cough medicine is suitable for a child 2 years and older, is sold only on prescription.

Drugs for cough in children with peripheral action

Antitussive drugs with peripheral activity act slightly differently than with the central. They also block cough, but not in the brain, but on the way to it. The impulses coming from the respiratory tract and the nasopharynx are interrupted and do not reach the cough center.

The group includes:

1. Libexin. The medicine is suitable for children who are able to swallow a pill. Provides cough suppression without inhibition of respiratory functions, anesthesizes and expands bronchi, has an anti-inflammatory effect. Among the possible side effects - digestive disorders, allergies, weakness, numbness of the oral cavity.
2. Falimint. Dragee for resorption can be given to children from 5 years. To stop non-productive cough, the drug is taken every 2 to 3 hours. Individual intolerance is possible.

Drugs with dry cough

Dry cough usually occurs at the beginning of the disease, and its unproductivity not only worsens the child's condition, but also slows down the recovery. To quickly transfer it into a "wet" form, the doctor can prescribe such medicines:

1. Herbion. Syrup with an extract of the primrose is shown to children from the age of two with bronchitis, tracheitis and other diseases with persistent and viscous mucus. Has anti-inflammatory and expectorant effect.
2. Doctor Mom. Combined cough medicine for a child 4, 5, 6 years and older in the form of a syrup is created on the basis of plant components: ginger, licorice, turmeric, aloe, elecampane, basil and other extracts. Performs as a bronchodilator, mucolytic, expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent.

Vegetable based preparations are safe, but are not recommended for allergy sufferers. They have a minimum of side effects, are available in the form of pleasant syrups and are very popular with sickly crumbs. In the same group: Suprima-Broncho, Gedelix, Linkas, Bronchicum TP.

The most inexpensive cough medicine for children - licorice root syrup, althaea extract( Mukaltin), Pertussin, tablets from the thermopsis grass - cost no more than 50 rubles. However, this does not prevent them from showing good efficiency, tested not by one generation of coughing children and adults.

Wet cough remedy for children

A moist cough remedy for children helps to cleanse the respiratory tract from mucus more effectively. If the sputum is small, it is thick, viscous and hardly leaves, preparations that stimulate secretion and dilution are necessary: ​​

1. ACS.The drug based on acetylcysteine ​​is sold in several forms: in soluble tablets, granules, injections. Children are given a solution of effervescent tablets from 2 years, with 6 granules allowed. Ampoules ATSTS can be diluted in saline for inhalation nebulizer to kids of any age. Dosage: 2 - 3 ml of 5% solution. The drug may have "pobochki" in the form of a headache, digestive problems, bronchial spasm in asthmatics.
2. Fluidite. Syrup with carbocysteine ​​helps cough better to children from 2 years old. The drug is almost safe, except for certain cases of discomforts against the background of its administration: dyspepsia, weakness, headache. Analogues of the drug are Fluviert, Libexin Muko.
3. Lazolvan. One of the most popular cough treatment in children. It is available in the form of syrup, drops for inhalation( suitable for babies) and tablets for more adult patients. The active substance is ambroxol, which is also included in the preparations Ambrobene, Ambrosan, Flavamed.
4. Bromhexine. This medicine is contraindicated in children under 2 years old. For older children it is available in the form of syrup, from the age of 6 it is possible to give tablets and Bromhexine drops. The drug can have a bad effect on the gastrointestinal tract, cause headache and dizziness, allergies.

Complex preparations for children from cough

Combined cough medicines are the most effective drugs acting simultaneously in several directions. As a rule, it is an expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent with an additional effect, for example, bronchodilator, depending on the composition. Such medicines should be prescribed by a doctor, given the diagnosis of the child:

1. Ascoril. Expectorant drug based on bromhexine also acts as a cough blocker( due to guaifenesin) and bronchodilator( euphyllin).Contraindicated to children under 2 years old, can lead to a negative reaction from the central nervous system and digestion.
2. Kodelak Broncho. In the composition: ambroxol, thyme extract, glycyrrhizinate. The last two components are anti-inflammatory. Give children from 2 years old.
3. Erespal. The main purpose of this drug is to prevent spasm of the bronchi and to fight inflammation of the mucous membranes with various diseases of the respiratory tract. In children over 2 years of age it is used for allergic( asthma) and infectious diseases, with both dry and productive cough. There are side effects from digestion, central nervous system, heart activity. Read more about other cough tablets for children.

Feedback on the application of

The answer to the question, what cough medicine for children is better, parents are often looking for "mum" forums on the Internet. If you decide to take advantage of someone else's experience, remember that no one except you is responsible for the health of your child. Without an examination and the appointment of a doctor to use drugs for coughing is dangerous!

For you - a few tips for the treatment of child cough:

Review № 1

We have a stable scheme: with a dry cough ACTS, with a wet - Fljuditik. When the first time was ill, that's what the pediatrician prescribed. Now, if necessary, repeat. It helps - I see no reason to change the treatment, and every time you do not run into a hospital with a child.

Natalia - Moscow

Review №2

Mom, especially with babies, do not fool and go better to the doctor! I once heard enough advice and gave the child Tantum Verde. It was horrible! At night, such a cough was frenzied, as much whistling.

I called an ambulance, it turned out that it was an allergy to a medicine! Have been cured by Erespal, for 3 days all passed. I made a child my own hands obstruction, do not joke in general with this!

Anastasia - Spb

Review No.3

Ordinary Mukaltin! I rub in a spoon, add some water and give. Mom treated me for them, now I have my children. True, we have never had anything more serious than the usual cold, or else I might have started talking differently. "

Gulnara - Kazan

If you treat the child yourself of a cough, do not forget that you can not combine antitussive drugs with expectorants and mucolytics. These drugs conflict with each other and can cause unpredictable consequences.