Lasolvan

The human body is constantly exposed to various negative influences that can provoke pathological changes in it, for example, a cold or viral infection. The medicinal product Lazolvan, produced by the Greek pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim Hellas A.E. (tablet form and syrup) and the Italian corporation Boehringer Ingelheim Italia S.p. A (solution form for internal administration and inhalation), has highly effective secretomotor, secretolytic and expectorant properties.

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Indications Lasolvan

One of the symptoms of ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection) or ARI (acute respiratory disease) is a cough. This is the patient's body's reaction to external aggression. Therefore, the main indications for the use of Lazolvan are the need to relieve the problem associated with damage to the elements of the human respiratory system, accompanied by the extraction of high-viscosity secretions. The drug shows equally high-quality results both in the chronic nature of the disease and in the case of acute manifestation of symptoms.

• Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung tissue, mainly of infectious origin with priority damage to the alveoli.
• Bronchitis is a lesion of the respiratory system in which the bronchi are involved in the inflammatory process.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Bronchiectatic lesion is a pathological lesion of the lower parts of the bronchi.
• Bronchial asthma diagnosed with difficulty in expectorating sputum.
• Tracheobronchitis.
• Chronic rhinitis.
• Sinusitis (inflammation of the paranasal sinuses).
• Cystic fibrosis of the lungs is a genetic pathology associated with changes that have occurred in the seventh chromosome and characterized by systemic damage to the mucus-forming exocrine glands of the respiratory system.
• The need for bronchial tree sanitation.

Lazolvan is prescribed by a therapist or otolaryngologist for a wide range of respiratory diseases that occur with the formation of significant volumes of viscous sputum. This drug helps to liquefy secretions and remove them from the patient's body.

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Release form

The active ingredient of Lazolvan is the well-known substance ambroxol (ambroxolum), the form of which is available on the shelves of modern pharmacies in a fairly wide variety.

In Greece, Boehringer Ingelheim Hellas A.E. Athens produces ambroxol in tablets with an active substance concentration of 30 mg (ten pieces on one blister), as well as in the form of syrup, with a concentration and dosage of 15 mg / 5 ml (for children) or 30 mg / 5 ml (for adults). Recently, lozenges have appeared, supplied with the same name and properties. As drugs for inhalation, as well as when necessary for oral administration, the company Boehringer Ingelheim Italy SpA Italy produces solutions with a concentration and volume of 15 mg ambroxol hydrochloride per 2 ml of the drug (ten ampoules per package).

The syrup is sold in 100 ml bottles made of dark glass. The lozenges of the medicine are round and brownish in color, with one unit containing 15 mg of the active substance.

Pharmacodynamics

The medicine in question is quite effective. Already half an hour after internal administration, its effect begins to manifest itself, which can be maintained for six to twelve hours. The duration of the effect depends on the clinical picture of the disease and the general condition of the patient's body. The pharmacodynamics of Lazolvan is due to the stimulation of the serous cells of the mucous glands located on the bronchial membrane. Activates the removal of surface-active substances (surfactant) from the bronchi and alveoli.

Ambroxol leads to the necessary balanced ratio of mucous and serous components of the discharge, and also stimulates the release of lysosomes from the cell structure. Lazolvan activates the function of hydrolytic enzymes, reduces the viscosity of sputum, which contributes to their better removal. The active substance of the drug increases the activity of the cilia of the ciliated epithelium.

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Pharmacokinetics

The drug in question is distinguished by an extraordinary rate of absorption by the gastrointestinal mucosa, after which it quickly penetrates into tissue cells. A small time difference is given by the pharmacokinetics of Lazolvan in various forms of application. When using the drug, ambroxol, in tablet form or in the form of syrup, complete absorption of the chemical compound occurs two hours after entering the body. In the case of prescribing a solution that is used in the form of internal drops or during inhalation, this time interval varies from half an hour to three. The percentage of binding, ambroxol, with blood plasma albumin for tablets and syrup is about 80%, when using a solution, this figure is slightly higher and approaches 90%.

Lazolvan is highly permeable and easily overcomes both the blood-brain barrier and the placental barrier, and also gets into breast milk. The highest concentration of the active substance is in the tissue layers of the lungs.

The main metabolites of ambroxol are formed in the liver, transforming into glucuronic conjugates and dibromanthranilic acid.

Almost all of Lazolvan (in the form of water-soluble metabolites) is excreted from the body through the kidneys with urine (90%). About five percent of the substance is excreted unchanged. The half-life of ambroxol, which has entered the body as a syrup or tablet, is on average one hour and twenty minutes. The same indicator for the solution is from 7 to 12 hours. No accumulation of the drug has been detected. At the same time, liver dysfunction does not lead to an adjustment of the half-life of the drug, while renal failure can significantly increase this indicator.

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Dosing and administration

This pharmacological agent is prescribed by a doctor for oral administration or in the form of respiratory procedures. The method of administration and dosage are selected by the attending physician.

The drug in tablet form is taken orally, together with the required amount of water. The maximum effectiveness of the therapeutic dose will be achieved if Lazolvan is swallowed after meals. For adult patients, the recommended dosage is one unit (0.03 g), taken three times a day. If the clinical picture shows a medical need, the dose of the drug can be increased and determined by two wafers (60 mg) twice a day (morning and evening).

The method of administration and dosage of Lazolvan used in the form of a solution depend on the age of the patient and the quantitative component of the basic chemical compound in the drug:

With a concentration of 15 mg ambroxol hydrochloride in 5 ml of the medicine. Take with food, washed down with water:

• For adult patients and adolescents who are already twelve years old, it is recommended to take 10 ml (one tablespoon) three times a day.
• For children from six to twelve years old - 5 ml (one teaspoon) two to three times a day.
• Children from two to six years old are prescribed 2.5 ml (half a teaspoon) three times a day.
• For children under two years old - 2.5 ml (half a teaspoon) twice a day.

With a concentration of 30 mg ambroxol hydrochloride in 5 ml of medicine.

• For adult patients and adolescents over 12 years of age, it is recommended to take 5 ml (one teaspoon) three times a day.
• For children from six to twelve years old - 2.5 ml (half a teaspoon) two to three times throughout the day.

The duration of therapy is four to five days. Further administration of the drug should be carried out under more careful supervision of the attending physician.

The medicine in the form of a solution is used orally or by inhalation. Drops of the drug are administered to the patient with food. They can be added to tea, milk, fruit juice, etc. To simplify use, it is worth knowing that 1 ml of solution is equal to 25 drops of liquid. The method of administration and dosage of Lazolvan taken in the form of drops differ depending on age:

Adult patients in the early stages of therapy are recommended to take 4 ml (100 drops) three times a day. Children over six years of age and teenagers - 2 ml (50 drops) two to three times a day. Babies from two to six - 1 ml three times a day. Children under two years of age - 1 ml twice a day.

If the attending physician prescribes inhalation with Lazolvan, then patients who are already six years old (including adults) are recommended to perform one or two procedures daily, using 2-3 ml of the drug. Children under six years old are recommended to perform one or two procedures daily, using 2 ml of ambroxol.

This procedure can be performed using any devices (modern devices), excluding steam inhalers. The inhalation liquid is obtained by mixing equal proportions of saline and ambroxol. The resulting mixture is slightly warmed up (it should be slightly warm, but in no case hot). When performing the physical procedure, do not inhale too deeply - this can provoke coughing fits. You need to breathe calmly, in a natural mode.

If the patient suffers from bronchial asthma, then before starting therapeutic breathing it is advisable to take any bronchodilator medication.

Use Lasolvan during pregnancy

Preliminary studies and monitoring of various clinical cases have not found any pathological changes or manifestations in the treatment of diseases, practicing the use of Lazolvan during pregnancy. But, nevertheless, it is worth being especially careful during the period when a woman is carrying her baby, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, when all the organs of the child are just forming and any failure can cause disability or death. The active substance freely enters breast milk. But it has been confirmed by repeated monitoring that the therapeutic dose of ambroxol does not have a negative effect on the newborn.

If there is a medical indication for the use of Lazolvan, before prescribing the drug during pregnancy, it is worth weighing all the pros and cons.

Contraindications

Most pharmacological drugs have multiple contraindications for use; there are, although not significant, contraindications to the use of Lazolvan.

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance of the drug.
• First trimester of pregnancy.

You should be more careful when prescribing Lazolvan:

• During the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
• While breastfeeding your baby.
• In case of liver and/or kidney dysfunction.

Side effects Lasolvan

The use of the drug in question is quite harmless. But very rarely, some side effects of Lazolvan can still be observed, mainly allergic reactions:

• Hives.
• Contact dermatitis.
• A rash covering the patient's skin.
• Very rarely, in the case of an acute allergy, anaphylactic shock may occur.

In case of long-term therapy and high dosage of Lazolvan, the following can be observed:

• Gastralgia.
• Heartburn localized in the digestive tract.
• Nausea may occur.
• Vomiting is also quite possible.

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Overdose

No matter how harmless the drug may seem, in any case, it is worth carefully adhering to the recommended dosages. Overdose of Lazolvan is quite rare, but still capable of causing nausea, which at high intensity can also lead to vomiting reflexes. Gas formation in the intestines, manifestation of symptoms of gastralgia and/or dyspepsia can also be observed.

If signs of overdose appear, treatment is symptomatic.

Interactions with other drugs

Before introducing several drugs with different pharmacodynamic effects into a complex treatment protocol, it is first worth familiarizing yourself with the specifics of the interaction of Lazolvan with other drugs.

The active substance of the drug in question behaves quite adequately with drugs that inhibit labor. It is worth taking Lazolvan with caution with antitussive drugs, since they, fighting coughing fits, block the removal of viscous secretions from the patient's body.

Ambroxol enhances the action and penetrating ability of such drugs as cefuroxime, doxycycline, amoxicillin and erythromycin. This tandem promotes an increase in the concentration of these antibiotics in the lung tissue.

It is not recommended to introduce Lazolvan, which has an acidity of pH 5.0, into the body together with drugs whose acidity is higher than 6.3, as a result of such a combination, free Lazolvan can precipitate. There are no results of interaction of Lazolvan with other drugs to date.

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Storage conditions

Most medicines should be kept out of direct sunlight. Do not expose the medicine to frost. However, the storage conditions for different forms of release are slightly different. For example, ambroxol hydrochloride solution does not lose its medicinal properties up to a temperature of 25°C, while tablets, lozenges and syrup remain effective up to a temperature of 30°C. Adults must ensure that a small child cannot reach the place where the medicine is stored.

Shelf life

Each of the released forms of the drug Lazolvan has its own expiration date, which is necessarily displayed on the packaging. For tablets - it is five years, the solution also has a five-year shelf life, but the period of qualitative effectiveness of the syrup varies: syrup with a concentration of 15 mg per 5 ml has a three-year guarantee, and 30 mg / 5 ml - five years.

It is worth noting that it is necessary to pay close attention to the expiration date. And if the limit date has expired, you should not take such a medicine.