Cough lozenges

Cough is one of the symptoms of various viral and bacterial diseases of the respiratory system. To suppress or completely eliminate it, various medications are used. The most popular are cough lozenges.

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Indications for the use of cough lozenges

As soon as a slight burning sensation in the throat begins, the thought of acute respiratory infections (ARVI) or flu immediately comes to mind. Cough lozenges can be used immediately after the onset of unpleasant symptoms. In this case, they must be used every two to three hours. That is, you can get up to ten lozenges per day. They are often used to cough up mucus. It is very important to dissolve the lozenges well to get the most positive result. Children under three years of age are not recommended to use lozenges, as they can swallow them.

Pharmacodynamics

The most popular cough lozenges for adults and children are "Doctor Mom". Since this drug is combined, it has excellent anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties. The effect of the lozenges depends on the active substances that are part of it. Naked licorice root relieves inflammation, treats spasms and helps to expectorate mucus. Medicinal ginger root relieves pain. Medicinal emblica reduces fever. Menthol has an antiseptic effect.

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of various cough drops have not been studied. Therefore, it is quite difficult to say how much of the drug remains in the body and how exactly the active substances are eliminated from it.

Dry cough lozenges

The choice of an effective remedy largely depends on what kind of cough you have. For example, a dry cough is more painful and torturous. It is very frequent and long-lasting, and can start at night, which interferes with sleep. To get rid of it, you need special lozenges for dry cough, which are combination drugs. Here you can highlight the following remedies: Bronchicum, Linkas.

Cough drops for children

It is quite difficult to treat cough in small children, as they need special lozenges with special components that will not cause side effects and allergies. One of the most popular drugs for treating cough in children are lozenges "Doctor Mom". They contain ginger root, menthol, licorice root. Usually, doctors prescribe such a drug starting from the age of ten. Also quite well-known are "Alex-Plus". Already half an hour after dissolving the lozenge, the child's coughing fits will noticeably decrease. Such a drug can be prescribed from the age of four. For tracheitis, bronchitis and pharyngitis, children are often prescribed lozenges "Sage". Can be used for children from the age of three.

Cough Lozenges Names

The variety of cough drops available in pharmacies often leaves patients confused. Which ones should you buy?

Alex-Plus

The main active ingredient of the drug is dextromethorphan, which together with levomenthol and terpin hydrate helps to get rid of any type of cough. It also has an expectorant and antispasmodic effect. It is very important that the lozenges do not have a hypnotic or narcotic effect. Contraindications for use are: allergy to lozenges, pregnancy, breastfeeding, bronchial asthma, children under four years of age.

The main side effects of using the drug are nausea, drowsiness, itching, and dizziness. Adults usually take three to five lozenges three times a day. The daily dose should not exceed twenty lozenges. Overdose is possible, after which the following occur: excessive excitement, headache, respiratory depression, tachycardia.

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Coldact Lorpils

This drug helps not only to reduce cough, but also to overcome sore throat. These are combination lozenges with prolonged action. The drug contains: amylmetacresol and dichlorobenzyl alcohol. Prescribed for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and flu, as well as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis.

Contraindicated during pregnancy and for children under six years of age. The dosage is standard (one lozenge every two hours). Side effects include: urinary retention, headache, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, tachycardia, drowsiness, dry mouth.

Strepsils

Antibacterial and fungicidal agent of a combined type. It contains amylmetacreazole, which has an excellent antimicrobial effect. Lozenges are used for various types of cough, inflammation, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, stomatitis.

It is not recommended to use the drug for children under five years of age, in case of allergy to the main substances of the drug, during pregnancy. Adults take one lozenge every two to three hours.

Doctor Mom

These cough lozenges are familiar to many. This drug has an expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect. The main components of the lozenges are plant substances: licorice roots, ginger rhizomes, and emblica fruits. The drug also contains levomenthol.

Cough lozenges "Doctor Mom" have several different flavors (orange, lemon, strawberry, fruit, raspberry, berry), so each patient can choose the right one for themselves. Adults can take one lozenge every two hours, dissolving them in the mouth. The duration of treatment is two to three weeks. The drug is contraindicated during pregnancy. Side effects include allergies to the components.

Bronchicum

The cough lozenges contain the following plant components: primrose root, grindelia herb, wildflower root, quebracho bark, thyme. It has an expectorant, mucolytic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect.

Indicated for use in chronic and acute bronchitis, other types of cough. Should not be taken if allergic to the substances in the lozenges. Should not be used during pregnancy.

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Linkas

These cough lozenges consist of plant components: vascular adhatoda leaves, naked licorice roots, pepper fruits, sweet violet, medicinal hyssop leaves. Due to this, the drug has good expectorant and mucolytic effects. It is prescribed for acute respiratory viral infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheitis, and flu.

The drug should not be used by children under six years of age, with allergic reactions to its main components, patients with diabetes, as well as during pregnancy and lactation. The course usually lasts five to seven days. It can be repeated on the recommendation of the attending physician. Side effects include allergic rashes.

Travisil

This is a complex herbal preparation that has antiemetic and expectorant effects. It is used to treat various types of cough (even smokers' cough). The lozenges should be sucked until completely dissolved. The duration of the course is prescribed by the doctor, as well as the necessary doses. Adults and adolescents usually take two tablets three times a day. Children - one tablet three times a day.

Side effects include allergies to the drug's substances. The composition includes the rhizome of medicinal alpinia, long pepper fruits, common fennel fruits, medicinal ginger root, and chebula terminalia fruits.

Dr. Theiss

Cough lozenges that have different flavors (cherry, sage, lemon, sea buckthorn and honey). The composition of the drug includes: peppermint oil, racemic menthol, anethole. Usually used to treat inflammatory infectious processes in the throat and oral cavity. Not recommended for use: children under five years old, allergies to the components, pregnancy, lactation.

The dosage of lozenges is usually as follows: one tablet is dissolved every three hours. It is worth remembering that taking more than eight tablets per day is prohibited. The drug is not recommended for use if there are bleeding wounds in the mouth. There have been no cases of overdose.

Isla Pastilles

The drug contains Icelandic moss extract, which has an immunostimulating and antimicrobial effect. Thanks to these cough lozenges, you can reduce the intensity of inflammation, eliminate pain when swallowing. It is used not only for coughs, but also for dry mouth and hoarseness.

Used by patients with bronchial asthma. Keep lozenges in your mouth until they dissolve completely. The treatment regimen and its duration are determined by your doctor. Children from four to twelve years old can take no more than one lozenge per day. No side effects have been found. The drug should not be taken if you are sensitive to the components, if you have diabetes, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Colmex

These lozenges contain: sugar, citric acid, glucose, flavorings, ascorbic acid, mint oil, beta-carotene, propolis and glycerol monostearate. This is a biologically active supplement that is taken during meals. Thanks to essential oils, it helps to increase the amount of vitamin B2 in the body.

It is used to treat cough, hoarseness, hoarseness, irritation in the throat area, to improve fresh breath. It should not be used if you are allergic to the components of the lozenges, or for children under 14 years of age. Adults take one lozenge three times a day. The course lasts up to seven days. It can be used again within a year.

Gorpils

Cough lozenges with different flavors (orange, lemon, strawberry, eucalyptus-menthol, honey). The product contains: dichlorobenzyl alcohol (2.4) and amylmetalcresol. This product has an antibacterial effect, so it is actively used in dentistry and otolaryngology.

Used for various inflammatory and infectious processes in the throat and oral cavity, tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, hoarseness, oral thrush, stomatitis. Not recommended for use during pregnancy and for children under five years of age. Dosage: one lozenge every two hours.

Herbal cough drops

Herbal cough drops are probably the most popular medications that help get rid of unpleasant symptoms. They contain extracts of the main medicinal plants, so they are safe for health and, as a rule, do not cause side effects. But please note that if you have allergic reactions to the components of such drops, it is better not to use them for treatment. The most popular herbal cough drops are: Doctor Mom, Gorpils, Doctor Theiss, Isla, Travisil.

Sage Cough Lozenges

Medicinal sage is a plant that has long been known for its miraculous properties. It is often added to herbal cough lozenges. The most popular sage preparations for treating different types of cough are:

Sage (from Natur Produkt)

The active ingredients are sage extract and sage oil. It is used to treat inflammation in the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity. It should not be used in case of allergy to sage, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, for children under five years of age and for patients with acute nephritis.

For treatment, it is necessary to hold the lozenge in the mouth until it completely melts. The usual dosage for adults is six lozenges per day (every two hours). The course duration is no more than a week. Side effects include allergies.

Sage Evalar

Cough lozenges that have an anti-inflammatory effect. They contain sage oil. It is very important that they do not contain sugar, so diabetics can use them without problems.

The recommended duration of treatment is four days. Adults should take five lozenges per day. The preparation also contains vitamin C. Contraindicated in case of allergy to sage and during pregnancy.

How to use cough drops

Almost all cough drops are used in the same way. It is important to know that they should not be chewed. All such preparations are kept in the oral cavity until they are completely absorbed. Only in this case will you receive the most effective treatment. As a rule, the maximum permissible dose per day is ten drops. They are divided into separate doses of one drop every two to three hours.

Using Cough Lozenges During Pregnancy

Many women face the problem of coughing during pregnancy. Some decide not to be treated, believing that it will all go away on its own, and it is not worth taking medications during this period. But remember that an untreated cough can develop into serious diseases. Doctors usually recommend the following lozenges to pregnant women: Doctor Mom, Sage, Bronchicum. Among those drugs that are strictly prohibited for expectant mothers are: Travesil, Strepsils.

Contraindications for use

Since most cough drops are based on herbal substances, the main contraindication to their use is allergy. If you see allergic rashes on your body or you have itching after using the drugs, you should immediately stop treatment and consult a doctor. Also, many such products are not recommended for children under five or six years old, as they must be completely absorbed. It is better not to use menthol lozenges until the age of ten. In some cases, cough drops are contraindicated in bronchial asthma. For more information about a particular product, you need to read the instructions.

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Side effects of cough drops

The main side effects of most cough drops are possible allergic reactions (burning, itching, redness, rash, urticaria). In some cases, the drug can cause dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, tachycardia. This depends on the main components that make up the drops.

Overdose

Usually cough drops do not have any particular problems with overdose. Only the drug "Coldact Lorpils" sometimes causes increased dizziness, nausea, headache, increased heartbeat and drowsiness if the patient has taken more than the daily dose of lozenges.

Interactions with other drugs

Various studies have shown that cough drops usually interact well with other medications without causing side effects. Moreover, flu and acute respiratory viral infections are usually treated with combination medications that help reduce the severity of various symptoms of the disease.

Storage conditions

Cough drops are stored in a dark and dry place at a temperature of up to +30°C. It is very important that the place is protected from children. Remember that improper storage of medications can lead to them becoming unsuitable for use. To find out how to properly store a particular product, you can read about it in the instructions.

Best before date

The shelf life of cough drops is usually five years. Using the drug after this period can lead to serious consequences. Remember that the manufacturer must indicate the expiration date on the packaging of the drug.

Cheap cough drops

Cough has bothered everyone at least once in their life. To cure it, people usually rush to the pharmacy to buy effective cough lozenges. Many just take the remedy they heard about in an advertisement, without thinking that there are cheaper analogues that are just as effective. Cheap cough lozenges:

• Koflet. The drug has an anti-inflammatory effect, helps not only to get rid of cough and sore throat, but also to freshen breath. Take one lozenge three to four times a day. Price for one lozenge: 4.50 UAH.
• Halls. Excellent lozenges that help relieve severe coughing fits. Usually available in menthol, orange and honey flavors. The composition of the drug includes: menthol, glucose, sugar, eucalyptus oil. Price: 7.50 UAH.

• Immunvit. Lozenges help to soften cough, freshen breath, kill bacteria, relieve sore throat and runny nose. Do not take if you are allergic to any of the components of the drug. They contain licorice root. Can be used for smoker's cough. Cost of one package: 26.50 UAH.

If you think that cough is a common symptom that quickly goes away on its own and does not lead to consequences, then you are very wrong. Incorrect treatment of cough can lead to pyelonephritis, sinusitis, meningitis.