
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Syrup Pertussin for cough for children
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

Cough syrup for children should be in every home where there is a small child. This is a virtually unique remedy that can be used to treat any type of cough, regardless of the origin of the cough - dry, wet, bacterial, viral, allergic, or other origin. Cough syrup may also be needed for prevention, since most of them have anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties.
Pertussin for children's cough is a syrup produced in the form of a thick brown liquid. It has a pleasant aroma and sweet taste. The active ingredients are liquid thyme extract and potassium bromide. There are also auxiliary substances such as sucrose solution, sugar syrup, ethyl alcohol and purified water.
ATC classification
Active ingredients
Pharmacological group
Pharmachologic effect
Indications Pertussin syrup
The drug is most often prescribed as part of complex therapy. The main indication is respiratory diseases, as well as inflammatory processes of the respiratory tract of various localizations. Indications for prescription are diseases such as tracheitis, bronchitis, tracheobronchitis. It is also prescribed as an additional remedy to alleviate the condition in such severe diseases as measles, whooping cough, diphtheria. It alleviates the condition in coughing that accompanies tuberculosis.
Pharmacodynamics
Belongs to the pharmacotherapeutic group of expectorants. According to its properties, it is characterized as a combination drug. The main active ingredient is thyme extract, which has an expectorant effect. The mechanism of its action is to increase the amount of secretory discharge that is released by the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. Thyme helps to liquefy sputum, and also significantly accelerates its removal. Potassium bromide has an additional effect, in particular, it reduces the excitability of the central nervous system.
For more information about cough syrups for children, read this article.
[ 3 ]
Dosing and administration
Taken orally, the dosage depends on the patient's condition, the severity of the disease, the duration of the disease. As a rule, the dosage and duration of treatment are determined by the doctor, based on the medical history and the patient's life, as well as on the results of a clinical examination, laboratory tests. It is recommended to take after meals, since the drug can reduce appetite. Children aged 3 to 6 years are prescribed half to one teaspoon at a time, three times a day. Children aged 6 to 12 years are prescribed 1-2 teaspoons in a similar manner. Children over 12 years are prescribed a dessert spoon three times a day. The course of treatment is approximately 10-14 days. The duration of the course of treatment can be increased if recommended by the doctor. Self-medication is not recommended, since there may be negative consequences, including deterioration of the condition. Usually, the course of treatment is extended if laboratory and instrumental tests show the presence of an inflammatory process.
Contraindications
Contraindications include hypersensitivity to various components that make up the drug, as well as cases of individual intolerance to both the drug as a whole and its individual components. Contraindications also include hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, liver disease, kidney disease, alcoholism, craniocerebral trauma, brain disease, epilepsy, convulsive syndromes, seizures and attacks, neuropsychiatric diseases.
It is also not recommended to take the drug for various diseases associated with insufficiency. Contraindications may include cardiac insufficiency, pulmonary, hepatic and renal insufficiency. Especially if these conditions are in the decompensation stage. Contraindications include conditions such as sucrose deficiency, glucose, vitamin deficiency, complete avitaminosis, hypovitaminosis, glucose intolerance, sucrose, fructose, glucose-galactose malabsorption. It is also not recommended to give the drug to children under 3 years of age. The drug should be prescribed with caution to patients suffering from diabetes mellitus, since the syrup contains a large amount of glucose and sugar. It is also prescribed to children with caution due to the fact that it contains ethanol.
Side effects Pertussin syrup
Side effects are rare, however, allergic reactions cannot be ruled out, especially if the patient has a tendency to allergic reactions, increased sensitization and sensitivity of the body. Side effects from the digestive system may also be observed, in particular, nausea, vomiting, heartburn may be observed.
[ 10 ]
Overdose
In cases of overdose, a reaction may also be observed from the digestive system. In particular, nausea and vomiting are observed. Treatment may be symptomatic. First of all, it is necessary to stop further intake of the drug into the body. Usually, it is enough to stop taking the drug, and the side effects will stop bothering you.
It is also worth noting that in some cases it is advisable to perform gastric lavage if the symptoms are quite pronounced and continue to increase. Gastric lavage is usually performed in a hospital setting, until the so-called "clean waters" are reached. Then symptomatic treatment is carried out, aimed at eliminating the main symptoms of the pathology. Sometimes pathogenetic treatment is prescribed, aimed at overcoming the main factors that provoke further development of the pathology. It is worth noting that detoxification therapy is rarely required. Usually it is enough to simply cancel the drug, so it is considered relatively safe and is prescribed to children.
Interactions with other drugs
It interacts quite well with other drugs, without causing drug intolerance. However, the drug should not be taken together with antitussive drugs, since their action is aimed at liquefying sputum and its subsequent removal from the body. Removal (excretion) of sputum from the body is carried out by coughing. If the cough decreases, sputum cannot be removed from the body. This is due to the fact that coughing occurs as a reflex reaction to irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract by sputum, which begins to be excreted from the body and flows down the walls of the larynx, bronchi.
Simultaneous administration of drugs together with antitussives not only contributes to the fact that phlegm is not removed from the body, but continues to linger in the respiratory tract. This can cause its retention, the development of congestion, and, accordingly, inflammatory processes. It is also worth noting that the drug can cause convulsions and spasms of the respiratory tract if taken together with antitussives.
Special instructions
The instructions contain special instructions. In particular, it is stated that the drug contains a fairly large amount of ethanol, approximately 8-11%. This means that one teaspoon of the drug contains approximately 0.43 grams of alcohol. One dessert spoon contains approximately 0.87 grams of alcohol. It should be taken into account that the drug reduces concentration and causes drowsiness. Psychomotor reactions are also slowed down. People with diabetes should take it with caution, since one tablespoon of syrup contains approximately 0.96 XE.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Syrup Pertussin for cough for children" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.