Antitussive drugs for children: a review of effective drugs. Tablets for dry cough for adults: a list of inexpensive and effective drugs Which drugs are classified as antitussives

Cough is a complex reflex reaction of the airways, the main function of which is to restore their normal patency.
The occurrence of a cough can be caused by irritation of the cough receptors of the nose, ears, posterior wall of the pharynx, trachea, bronchi, pleura, diaphragm, pericardium, esophagus. External and internal factors (foreign bodies, cold and dry air, aeropollutants, tobacco smoke, nasal mucus, sputum, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, etc.) excite cough receptors, which are divided into irritant, quickly responding to mechanical, thermal, chemical irritants, and C-receptors, predominantly stimulated by inflammatory mediators (prostaglandins, kinins, substance P, etc.). The resulting impulse is transmitted through the afferent fibers of the vagus nerve to the cough center located in the medulla oblongata. The reflex arc is closed by the efferent fibers of the vagus, phrenic and spinal nerves going to the muscles of the chest, diaphragm and abdominals, the contraction of which leads to the closure of the glottis, followed by its opening and expulsion at high air speed, which is manifested by a cough.
In addition, cough can be caused or suppressed voluntarily, since the formation of the cough reflex is under the control of the cerebral cortex.
Cough is classified by nature (non-productive, or dry, and productive, or wet cough), by intensity (coughing, mild and severe cough), by duration (episodic, paroxysmal and persistent cough), by course (acute - up to 3 weeks, prolonged - more than 3 weeks and chronic - 3 months or more).
In some cases, cough loses its physiological purpose and not only does not contribute to the resolution of the pathological process in the respiratory system, but also leads to the development of complications.
The reflex arc of the cough reflex includes receptors, the cough center, afferent and efferent nerve fibers, and the executive link - the respiratory muscles. Cough is most effectively suppressed at two levels - the receptor level and the level of the cough center. In this regard, antitussive drugs are divided into 2 groups: central and peripheral action. In turn, centrally acting drugs can be divided into narcotic and non-narcotic drugs.

Mechanism of action and pharmacological effects Centrally acting narcotic antitussives
These include morphine-like compounds such as codeine, ethylmorphine and dextromethorphan, which suppress the function of the cough center of the medulla oblongata. The most well-known narcotic antitussive drug is codeine, which is a natural narcotic analgesic from the group of opiate receptor agonists. Medicines from the codeine group are very effective, but have significant drawbacks. Their antitussive effect is not selective; they simultaneously depress the respiratory center. Dextromethorphan is a synthetic antitussive drug, similar in chemical structure and activity to opiates ( codeine); has a central effect, increasing the cough threshold.

Non-narcotic antitussive drugs of central action
These include oxeladine, butamirate, glaucine, pentoxyverine, ledin and pholcodine, which have a selective central effect. They partially suppress the cough center without exerting a pronounced inhibitory effect on the respiratory center. Not inferior in potency to codeine, they do not cause addiction or addiction, do not depress breathing and do not affect intestinal motility (do not cause constipation). Some antitussive drugs have additional effects that improve their effect. Thus, oxeladine, butamirate and ledin are characterized by some bronchodilator action. Butamirate also has expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Non-narcotic antitussive drugs of peripheral action
This group of drugs includes prenoxdiazine, levodopropizine, benpropyrine and bithiodine, which affect the afferent component of the cough reflex, acting on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract as an anesthetic and reducing reflex stimulation of the cough reflex. In addition, they have a local anti-inflammatory effect and help relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi.

Enveloping drugs also refer to peripheral antitussive drugs of afferent action. Their action is based on creating a protective layer on the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and oropharynx. They are oral tablets or syrups and teas containing plant extracts of eucalyptus, acacia, licorice, wild cherry, linden, etc., glycerin, honey, etc.
One of the ways to influence the afferent part of the reflex arc is also the use of aerosols and steam inhalations to moisturize the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Steam inhalation, alone or with the addition of sodium chloride or herbal decoctions or extracts, is the most accessible method of hydration. Along with inhalations, drinking plenty of fluids can be used.
Antitussive drugs with local anesthetic activity reduce the feeling of soreness and irritation in the throat, reduce sensitivity to various irritating factors, weakening the cough reflex. The drugs are used in the form of medicines for resorption in the oral cavity.
Local anesthetics (benzocaine, cycline, tetracaine) are also drugs with afferent action, but are used only in a hospital setting for special indications.

Pharmacokinetics
Most drugs are well absorbed after oral administration. The maximum concentration in the blood plasma of codeine is achieved after 1 hour, butamirate citrate - after 1.5 hours. In the latter case, it is 6.4 μg/ml, protein binding is 95%. Both drugs undergo biotransformation in the liver and are almost completely excreted in the urine in the form of metabolites and unchanged. T1/2 of codeine - 3-4 hours, butamirate citrate - 6 hours. The pharmacokinetics of most other drugs and their components have not been studied.

Tactics for choosing medications for cough
If the reason for prescribing medications is the cough itself, it is better to use medications that act on the specific cause of the cough for this case. Antitussive drugs are symptomatic therapy. To relieve cough associated with acute respiratory infection, moisturizing inhalations and drugs with enveloping peripheral action or their combination with non-narcotic drugs of central action such as prenoxdiazine are indicated. In the presence of sputum, it is advisable to prescribe expectorants or mucolytics. When a patient coughs with symptoms of bronchospasm, along with hydration, it is advisable to prescribe bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, however, narcotic antitussive drugs and mucolytics, with the exception of bromhexine and ambroxol, are contraindicated. For targeted suppression of non-productive cough caused by irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract (for example, with whooping cough), in children it is possible to use antitussive non-narcotic drugs of central action.

Place in therapy
Antitussive drugs are used to suppress frequent dry coughs that disturb the patient's condition. For coughs associated with irritation of the upper respiratory tract, the use of antitussive drugs with local anesthetic activity is indicated. They are drugs for symptomatic therapy in the treatment of inflammatory processes in the pharynx (sore throat, pharyngitis) and larynx (laryngitis). Actually, local anesthetics are used for afferent inhibition of the cough reflex during bronchoscopy or bronchography.

Contraindications and precautions
Prescribing antitussive drugs to a patient with a wet cough leads to stagnation of sputum in the respiratory tract, which worsens bronchial obstruction and can contribute to the development of pneumonia. Narcotic antitussives may cause respiratory depression.

Literature

1. Belousov Yu.B., Moiseev V.S., Lepakhin V.K. Clinical pharmacology and pharmacotherapy. M., 1997; 530.
2. Danilyak I.G. Cough: Etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment. Pulmonology. 2001; 3:33-7.
3. Clinical pharmacology. Ed. V.G. Kukesa. M., 1991.
4. Lekmanov A. Cough: if treated, then with what? Materials of the VII Russian National Congress "Man and Medicine". Educational news. 2001; 19.
5. Rational pharmacotherapy of respiratory diseases: Hand. for practicing doctors / A.G. Chuchalin, S.N. Avdeev, V.V. Arkhipov, S.L. Babak et al.; Under the general editorship. A.G.Chuchalina. - M.: Litterra, 2004. - 874 p. - (Rational pharmacotherapy: Series of manuals for practicing physicians; T.5).
6. Samsygina G.A. Antitussive drugs in pediatrics. Consilium medi- sit. 2001; 2: 18-22.
7. Chuchalin A.G., Abrosimov V.N. Cough. Ryazan, 2000.

Drug treatment of hypertension is necessary, as this will normalize blood pressure and prevent the development of a number of complications, such as heart attack and stroke.

However, medications for hypertension can only be taken after a doctor's prescription. After all, there are different groups of drugs that have different effects and have a number of side effects, such as dizziness, increased urination, cough, etc.

It is impossible to do without drug therapy, because high blood pressure has a slow destructive effect on the entire body. But most often the kidneys, heart and brain are affected by hypertension.

What should you do to prevent the development of complications? Antihypertensive medications should be taken regularly, because this is the only way to control blood pressure.

All drugs for high blood pressure are divided into groups. They can be used as monotherapy or combined with each other to enhance the effect and reduce side effects.

Types of blood pressure medications

Diuretics. Diuretic medications can quickly reduce blood pressure by removing salts and excess fluid from the body. To quickly normalize blood pressure, the use of potassium-sparing diuretics and saluretics (Dicarb, Hypothiazide, Furosemide and others) is recommended.

These diuretic drugs remove not only water from the body, but also calcium and sodium salts. However, a deficiency of potassium salts negatively affects the functioning of muscles, including the myocardium.

But what to do if you need to lower your blood pressure? For these reasons, along with saluretics, you should take drugs containing potassium salts - Asparkam or Panangin.

Potassium-sparing diuretics for hypertension, such as Triamterene, do not remove potassium. But if they are used incorrectly, they can accumulate in the blood, which also has an adverse effect on the body.

It is worth noting that diuretics do not cause a cough, but they can provoke a disorder of water-salt balance, resulting in such side effects as:

1. nausea
2. dizziness;
3. malaise;
4. heart problems;
5. decrease in pressure and so on.

Popular diuretics are Hydrochlorothiazide, Spironolactone, Indapamide, Triampur, Diuver and others.

Beta blockers. Used to lower high blood pressure that occurs due to heart problems, such as coronary artery disease. The drugs affect the cardiovascular system of adrenaline, they block the beta receptors of adrenaline, which is sensitive to this substance.

At the same time, the vessels, including the coronary ones, dilate, as a result of which the heart rate normalizes and pressure indicators decrease. As a rule, beta-blockers such as Bisoprolol, Metoprolol, Celiprolol are prescribed to young patients with heart problems.

Due to the narrowing of peripheral blood vessels, beta blockers should not be taken by patients with poor circulation in the extremities.

• Alfuzosin;
• Tropaphen;
• Terazosin;
• Phentolamine;
• Doxazosin;
• Phenoxybenzamine;
• Prazosin;
• Pyrroxane.

Calcium channel blockers. In addition to lowering blood pressure, such medications are used for heart diseases. CCBs block the flow of calcium into muscle cells, inhibiting their contraction.

With a lack of calcium, the smooth muscles of the walls of blood vessels do not contract as necessary. As a result, the vessels relax, blood flow inside them is facilitated and pressure decreases.

Prominent representatives of BCC are the following drugs:

1. Diltiazem;
2. Verapramil;
3. Amlodipine.

ACE inhibitors. These pills dilate blood vessels. ACE is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of a substance that has a strong vasoconstrictor effect - angiotensin II.

Basically, ACE inhibitors are indicated for hypertension that develops against the background of heart and kidney diseases. Also, drugs belonging to this group are indicated for high diastolic pressure and in case of increased load on the heart muscle.

However, with regular use of ACE inhibitors, a dry cough appears. What to do in this case? Often, the doctor prescribes antihypertensive drugs belonging to a different group.

Popular drugs from this group are Ramipril, Perindopril, Enalapril.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers. These drugs monitor blood pressure for 24 hours. However, in order to achieve a sustainable decrease in blood pressure, you need to drink them for at least 3 months.

It is noteworthy that angiotensin 2 receptor blockers have virtually no side effects, including that they do not cause coughing.

Centrally acting agents. Popular representatives of this drug group are Moxonidine, Methyldopa and Albarel. Such drugs bind to receptors in nerve cells, regulating the activity of the SNS and reducing the intensity of vasoconstrictor signals. As a result, vascular spasm is eliminated, and pressure numbers drop.

It is worth noting that centrally acting tablets of the previous generation (Clonidine) are now practically not used in the treatment of hypertension.

What blood pressure medications cause coughing?

Most often, a dry cough develops after taking ACE inhibitors. As a rule, it is precisely this side effect that forces treatment to be discontinued.

It is worth noting that cough can occur as a result of therapy with any medications from this group. But most often, such a negative symptom develops during treatment with Enalapril and Captopril. Moreover, cough occurs twice as often after taking Enalapril.

It is worth noting that after taking ACE inhibitors in patients with CHF, this side effect appears much more often than in hypertensive patients (26% and 15%). The reasons for its occurrence include an increase in the concentration of bradykinin, which collects in the upper respiratory tract, causing cough.

In addition, a hereditary predisposition to the development of cough after taking ACE inhibitors is assumed. In this case, the patient feels an unpleasant tickling in the back wall of the throat.

Basically, the cough is paroxysmal, dry, prolonged and intermittent. It often gets worse when the patient is lying down, which can lead to hoarseness and even urinary incontinence and vomiting.

Moreover, these phenomena are not accompanied by hypersensitivity, symptoms of bronchial obstruction or changes in kidney function. What to do to eliminate cough after taking ACEI? According to some studies, to eliminate cough it is enough to reduce the dosage of the drug.

The time from the start of therapy with ACE inhibitors until the onset of an unpleasant symptom can range from 1 day to 1 year. But on average it appears 14.5 weeks after regular use of the drug.

It is worth noting that the cough reflex that develops while taking ACE inhibitors is generally not dangerous to the patient’s health; it often simply causes discomfort. But it was found that patients with this symptom have a worse quality of life and are more susceptible to depression.

To determine whether the cough is caused by the use of ACE inhibitors, their use must be discontinued for 4 days. Typically, the symptom disappears after 1-14 days. But if treatment is resumed, it may develop again.

What to do and what medications can be used to suppress the cough reflex after taking ACE inhibitors? The following medications are used to relieve cough:

1. Sodium chromoglycate;
2. Baclofen;
3. Theophylline;
4. Sulindak;
5. Iron supplements.

In addition to ACE inhibitors, cough can develop against the background of lowering blood pressure with beta blockers. Such drugs affect sensitive receptors located in the blood vessels, heart and bronchi.

When the blood vessels narrow, a dry, unproductive cough appears. It can also occur during physical activity and changes in body position.

What medications are safest to use for hypertension?

Today, calcium channel blockers are increasingly used in the treatment of hypertension. They have a specific effect on organs and a minimal number of adverse reactions.

New tablets from this group can bind to calcium channels in cell membranes located in the vascular walls and myocardium.

When calcium enters a cell, the following happens:

• increased excitability and conductivity;
• activation of metabolic processes;
• muscle contraction;
• increased oxygen consumption.

However, some modern tablets from this group infringe on such processes. These include the following drugs:

1. Isradipin;
2. Amlodipine;
3. Lacidipine;
4. Nimodipine;
5. Felodipine;
6. Nisoldipine;
7. Nicardipine;
8. Nitrendipine;
9. Riodipine.

Calcium channel blockers have a number of advantages. So, in addition to lowering blood pressure, they improve the general well-being of hypertensive patients and are well tolerated in old age. And modern CCBs reduce hypertrophy in the left ventricle and do not suppress physical and mental activity.

In addition, calcium channel blockers do not cause depression and do not increase bronchial tone, which cannot be said about adrenergic blockers. Therefore, such medications are recommended if hypertension is combined with broncho-obstructive diseases.

Also, CCBs improve the excretory function of the kidneys and have a positive effect on the carbohydrate metabolism of uric acid and lipids. Thanks to this property, they are superior to thiazide diuretics and adrenergic blockers.

In addition to CCBs, diuretics are increasingly used for hypertension, which remove salts and fluid from the body, reducing blood volume, thereby lowering blood pressure. Modern safe diuretics are:

• Spironolactone;
• Metolazone;
• Triamterene;
• Indapamide;
• Hydrochlorothiazide;
• Chlorthalidone;
• Furosemide.

Also, in case of hypertension, it is customary to combine antihypertensive drugs to enhance the effect and reduce adverse reactions, including cough.

It is worth noting that with the right combination, some drugs neutralize each other's side effects. Therefore, every patient suffering from high blood pressure should know the combination of drugs used in the treatment of arterial hypertension.

During treatment with combination drugs, the incidence of hypertensive complications is significantly reduced. Often 2 or 3 agents are combined. The most effective combinations of 2 drugs are:

1. ACE inhibitor + diuretic;
2. Calcium antagonist + receptor blocker;
3. Receptor blocker + diuretic;
4. Calcium antagonist + ACE inhibitor;
5. Calcium antagonist + diuretic.

Such combinations are the optimal solution for the treatment of hypertension. Effective combinations of three drugs are:

• ACEI + AKD + ​​BB;
• ADC + BB + diuretic;
• ARB + ​​AKD + ​​BB;
• BB + ARB + ​​diuretic;
• ACEI + AA + diuretic;
• BB + diuretic + ACEI;
• ARB + ​​AA + diuretic.

In addition, there are combination drugs that combine two active ingredients in one tablet. These include Enzix duo forte (enalapril and indapamide), Lodoz, Aritel plus (hydrochlorothiazide and bisoprolol), Co-diovan (hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan) and Logimax (metoprolol and felodipine).

Also popular combination drugs are Gizaar, Lorista N/ND, Lozap plus (hydrochlorothiazide and losartan), Exforge (amlodipine and valsartan), Atacand plus (hydrochlorothiazide and candesartan) and Tarka (verapamil and trandolapril).

However, there are no absolutely safe drugs that do not cause any adverse reactions. But there are modern antihypertensive drugs that have a number of advantages over other drugs. This allows them to have a minimum number of adverse reactions, because new components make such tablets less dangerous.

Some of the best modern antihypertensive drugs are selective imidazoline receptor agonists. Such drugs rarely provoke the appearance of adverse reactions, quickly normalize blood pressure and have practically no contraindications. Popular drugs from this group are Monoxidine or Rilmenidine.

In addition, it is worth choosing drugs that have a rapid effect and a prolonged effect, which allows you to minimize the risk of adverse reactions. Therefore, it is preferable to choose complex drugs that have virtually no side effects, which makes them the optimal choice in the fight against hypertension.

One of the safest third-generation drugs is Physiotens. After taking it, there is practically no increased drowsiness, cough or dryness of the oral mucosa.

This is a new remedy for high blood pressure without side effects and does not have an adverse effect on respiratory function, so Physiotens can be taken even with bronchial asthma. In addition, the medicine increases insulin sensitivity, which is important for insulin-dependent patients suffering from diabetes. The patients themselves will tell you in detail about the types of tablets in the video in this article.

Latest discussions:

The main problem with blood pressure (BP) is its frequent changes, which is especially dangerous for the condition of blood vessels, heart function, and kidneys. To relieve high blood pressure levels that threaten a stroke or heart attack, the doctor selects an individual set of medications. Medicines that have to be taken for quite a long time have many side effects, including cough syndrome. Are there blood pressure pills that don't cause coughing?

Features of treatment

Symptoms of hypertension have become the most pressing problem today, especially for older people. With a sharp increase in blood pressure, we are talking about a hypertensive crisis, in which emergency medical assistance cannot be avoided. In medical practice, it is customary to distinguish several stages of hypertension:

• Stage 1 – 150–160/90 mmHg. Art.
• Stage 2 – 180/100 mmHg. Art.
• Stage 3 – blood pressure exceeds 200/115 mm Hg. Art.

Doctors warn: even with the initial symptoms of hypertension, one should not forget about regular monitoring of blood pressure readings, as well as immediate contact with a therapist or cardiologist. After a detailed diagnosis, the specialist will prescribe an individual treatment regimen for the disease, which, in addition to medications, includes recommendations on proper nutrition, moderate physical activity, and giving up bad habits. Sudden surges in blood pressure can cause health problems and threaten life.

Types of drugs used in the treatment of hypertension

Medical advice: the risk of negative effects of hypertension pills is highest due to their overdose. Only the attending physician, who is familiar with the clinical picture of the development of the disease, can replace some medications with others in order to avoid a deterioration in the health of a hypertensive patient. The cough reflex can be triggered by mistakenly (repeatedly) taking the medicine.

Are there any safe means?

According to reviews of experienced hypertensive patients, they have to take several medications per day that have an extensive list of side effects. Some of them cause a cough, dry and painful. Do not forget that the syndrome, which is especially annoying in a supine position, may not be a consequence of taking pills, but a sign of heart failure. On the advice of a doctor, the blood pressure medicine should be replaced with a more modern analogue without cough syndrome.

Cough may be caused by heart failure

Among the means of drug therapy, there are no pills for hypertension without side effects. However, medicines belonging to the new generation of combination drugs have a number of significant advantages:

• Minimum adverse reactions with maximum therapeutic effect.
• Possibility of prolonged action, minimizing the risk of a negative response.
• High efficiency of complex formulations against the background of a low degree of harmfulness.

Doctors urge you to monitor your blood pressure! The symptoms of hypertension are dangerous to ignore; in most cases, the disease causes a fatal stroke.

Therefore, treatment should be started as early as possible, but blood pressure pills should be prescribed by a doctor. In some cases, it is necessary to use individual combinations of drugs so as not to provoke a worsening of the clinical picture with the appearance of harmful consequences.

Medicines without side effects

Despite the achievements of modern medicine, which has provided pregnant women and the elderly with safe antihypertensive tablets, the occurrence of negative consequences of therapy cannot be ruled out. According to patient reviews, the most unpleasant symptom of treatment is a painful cough, to stop which doctors advise changing the medicine in consultation with the attending physician.

List of tablets for high blood pressure that do not cause cough syndrome:

• A group of long-acting angiotensin antagonists (sartans) reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
• Calcium antagonists block its entry into vascular cells and are recommended for use in elderly people and diabetics.
• Diuretic medications should be prescribed with caution due to the high risk of side effects.

Advice from an experienced cardiologist: a painful dry cough is associated with typical side effects of all types of dosage forms of the ACE inhibitor class, belonging to the enalapril line. They should be replaced with angiotensin 2 antagonists, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (slow). There are popular combinations of several drugs, but their selection should be done by a doctor.

To combine drugs, you need to consult a doctor

Threat of consequences of taking

Each person’s body has individual characteristics associated with a set of antigens and enzymes, intolerance to certain substances, and the intensity of the immune system response. What medications that lower blood pressure can cause adverse reactions in the body due to a long period of treatment?

1. Taking diuretics provokes the development of potassium-sodium deficiency, leading to cramps and pain in the lower extremities. Therapy negatively affects the functioning of the heart, accompanied by nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.
2. Treatment with beta blocker tablets leads to depression, insomnia, and heart pain. The main depressing aspect is a dry cough, the appearance of which is associated with a special effect on receptors in the tissues of the heart and blood vessels, and the bronchial tree.
3. A dry cough is threatened by taking ACE inhibitors against the background of loss of appetite and the appearance of a skin rash. A long course of drugs does not reduce the incidence of deaths, although it protects the heart and kidneys and restores the function of blood vessels (large ones).

According to reviews from hypertensive patients, they most often use Enalapril, as well as Captopril, to quickly relieve the symptoms of a hypertensive crisis. However, its long-term use causes swelling of the larynx, accompanied by a dry cough. Therefore, hypertensive patients had to look for blood pressure pills that did not cause coughing.

Therapy that does not cause irritation to the respiratory system

According to reviews from patients who are constantly taking medications for blood pressure, a cough can appear both on the second day of treatment and after long-term therapy against the backdrop of a positive effect. According to doctors, there is a high probability of deterioration in health, usually after 2-3 months of regular use of a particular medication.

Doctor's advice: this symptom is considered harmless, although for patients it is associated with a deterioration in the quality of life and the threat of depression. It is necessary to supplement the treatment regimen with antitussives or replace the drug with other blood pressure tablets that do not cause coughing. Of the modern medications for blood pressure without cough syndrome, preference is given to calcium channel blockers, which dilate blood vessels by blocking calcium:

• Nimodipina.
• Isradipin.
• Nicardipina.
• Lacidipine.
• Riodipine.

Calcium channel blockers dilate blood vessels by blocking calcium

These drugs have a wide spectrum of action. Most hypertensive patients taking calcium antagonists report a persistent decrease in blood pressure. Treatment is not accompanied by coughing, and overall health improves. Therefore, such therapy is especially relevant for older people. The medications do not harm mental and physical activity, do not increase the tone of the bronchial tree, do not threaten bronchospasm, or worsen the condition of the kidneys and carbohydrate metabolism.

In addition to calcium antagonists, doctors prescribe diuretics to patients with broncho-obstructive pathologies, which rid the body of excess fluid and salts. A gradual drop in pressure results from a decrease in total blood volume when using the following medications:

• Spironolactone.
• Furosemide.
• Indapamide.
• Hydrochlorothiazide.

Diuretics should be prescribed by a doctor with an accurate calculation of dosage and frequency of administration, and courses of diuretic therapy should not be long. Often, substances with a diuretic effect are combined with ACE inhibitors or calcium blockers to neutralize the influence of negative consequences. Combinations of three drugs belonging to different groups are considered successful.

In any case, the competent selection of tablets for high blood pressure while minimizing side effects, among which cough is especially depressing, should be entrusted to a specialist. The key to the success of a complex therapeutic regimen against hypertension is the literacy of a doctor who is able to correctly interpret the examination results.

One of the most pressing problems for many people today is hypertension. Fortunately, surges in blood pressure (BP) can be eliminated using traditional recipes and a number of medications. In addition, some people have completely adapted to living normally with symptoms of high blood pressure, without even noticing a sharp change in blood pressure.

But, as it turned out, stopping the episode is not enough. The whole problem of hypertensive disease lies in the consequences. After all, a sharp increase in blood pressure affects the performance of the heart and kidneys, which act as targets.

Consequently, ignoring attacks of high blood pressure or eliminating an attack without a subsequent course of therapy can even lead to pathological damage to the retina. Based on the danger posed by arterial hypertension, it is necessary to pay attention to therapy that prevents increases in blood pressure and hypertensive crises. Thus, it is possible to protect target organs from pathological damage due to complications of arterial hypertension.

High blood pressure pills without side effects

But, before purchasing all the medications that prevent the consequences of high blood pressure, you should conduct a detailed diagnosis in a specialized medical institution, and then decide on medications that do not have side effects.

High blood pressure indicators

First of all, attention is paid to the blood pressure indicator. Pathological indicators include indicators exceeding 140 to 90. Until recently, it was believed that different blood pressure indicators were normal for representatives of different age categories. But now doctors have come to the same conclusion that a patient with a blood pressure of 140 over 90 requires therapy. But you don’t always need to resort to medication.

Normal blood pressure

For example, in the absence of manifestations of coronary artery disease, but at the same time persistently high blood pressure, it will be enough to reconsider the usual lifestyle. In this case, normalization of nutrition will be required, including a special diet, psychotherapy and lowering blood pressure through massage and meditation. This technique will be effective if the upper blood pressure threshold does not exceed 160 over 90 and the patient has no concomitant ailments.

Note! A patient with hypertension should monitor their weight. After all, extra pounds will only worsen the clinical picture.

The second exciting question is the desired blood pressure level after therapy and the level that needs to be maintained for a long period. For example, the category of people under 55-60 years of age with complications of hypertension, kidney disease or diabetes mellitus should maintain indicators of no more than 130 to 85.

Causes of hypertension

What aggravates the clinical picture with high blood pressure?

There are several categories of patients with hypertension. The first ones ignore the danger of blood pressure risks and try to live to the best of their health. Thus, considering that if the disease does not cause significant discomfort, then you can get by with pills that block blood pressure surges. The second patients, on the contrary, overestimate the risk and try to cure the disease with all the drugs that come to hand, not paying attention to the side effects, but ignore going to the doctor.

The danger of hypertension

Video - Hypertension: how to protect yourself

How to treat hypertension?

If a patient observes regular jumps in blood pressure to high levels, then he should first visit a doctor. Since all medications are aimed at normalizing the patient’s condition and lowering blood pressure, at the same time they can have side effects.

Reminder for patients with hypertension

It is advisable to consider the main drugs:

1. Beta blockers. These are special medications to lower blood pressure by lowering the heart rate. But their downside in the form of side effects is weakness, skin rashes, and excessive slowing of the pulse.
2. ACE inhibitors. The body can produce large amounts of a hormone that negatively affects blood vessels, narrowing them. This group of drugs is aimed at reducing the amount of hormone produced. As a result, blood pressure drops as blood vessels dilate. The negative consequences of inhibitors can manifest themselves in the form of allergic reactions or a sudden cough.
3. Diuretics. This is a group of drugs with a diuretic effect. They are taken to quickly lower blood pressure by removing fluid from the body. But, taking these medications can negatively affect the functioning of the heart, leading to dizziness, seizures and nausea.
4. Calcium antagonists. The main purpose of such drugs is to have a relaxing effect on blood vessels, as a result of which blood pressure decreases. Side effects after taking such drugs manifest themselves in the form of hot flashes, rapid heartbeat, and sometimes even dizziness.
5. Angiotensin antagonists. High blood pressure may be due to the effect of angiotensin 2 on blood vessels, and drugs in this group block this effect. But as a result, dizziness may occur, accompanied by nausea.

What will help get rid of high blood pressure

That is why it is necessary to consult a doctor and prescribe effective therapy for the treatment of hypertension.

Are there safe drugs?

When high blood pressure interferes with normal life activities, the question arises of how to find the safest medications without side effects. Unfortunately, science has not provided such drugs. After all, it is extremely difficult to develop a universal drug that would suit every patient, but would not have any side effects. But still, new generation drugs have significant advantages over outdated drugs for the treatment of hypertension, they are as follows:

1. Minimizing side effects. There are no absolutely safe drugs for every patient, but new developments select components in such a way that they do not cause negative reactions in the body.
2. Long-acting drugs. Consequently, the dosage of the drug is reduced and thereby minimizes the risk of side effects.
3. New technologies have provided more effective drugs for the treatment of hypertension.
4. Complex preparations have been developed. The risk of side effects is so low that the drug can be considered absolutely safe.

Statistics of factors causing premature death

Is it dangerous! Ignoring treatment for hypertension is strictly prohibited, since almost 50% of deaths from stroke are a consequence of hypertension. Therefore, you should not take therapy and examination by a specialist lightly.

Drugs with minimal side effects

The risk of side effects when eliminating high blood pressure will be minimal if you take complex medications. The main representative is Lisinopril is a drug from the ACE inhibitor group, but of the third generation. It contains a diuretic, as a result, the effectiveness of treatment increases significantly.

The drug Lisinopril helps to quickly reduce blood pressure

1. Shows the best results in the treatment of elderly people.
2. Approved for the treatment of patients with diabetes.
3. Minimizes the likelihood of complications.
4. Quickly lowers blood pressure.

Physiotens is the second effective and at the same time safe drug for the treatment of hypertension. If we talk about side effects after taking this drug, they are insignificant and are expressed in the form of dry mouth, mild weakness and drowsiness. Patients do not report any other discomfort.

Physiotens is a safe drug for the treatment of hypertension

Note! These drugs have such minimal side effects that they are truly safe drugs. And most importantly, they do not have a detrimental effect on the respiratory system and do not cause a chronic cough. Therefore, the drugs are approved for patients suffering from bronchial asthma.

Do not forget that Physiotens can be taken by patients with diabetes, since the drug significantly increases insulin sensitivity.

No less effective hypertensive drugs can be considered Moxonidine And Rilmenidine are representatives of selective agonists of imidazoline receptors. They cope well with high blood pressure, without causing side effects at all and have virtually no contraindications.

Among the new generation blockers, it is necessary to highlight the leaders - Nebivolol, Labetalol, Carvedilol. These are excellent drugs for the treatment of hypertension, which rarely cause side effects, but at the same time prevent the terrible consequences of high blood pressure.

The drug Nebivolol prevents the terrible consequences of high blood pressure

Fast-acting drugs

Rapid-acting medications are used to block an attack of hypertension. They are also used as a preventive measure for hypertensive crisis. After taking such tablets, blood pressure decreases instantly, and the pulse returns to normal.

List of the most effective fast-acting drugs with minimal risk of side effects

Attention! If the patient takes Andipal, then taking Papaverine and Dibazol is prohibited in parallel. Since such a drug combination only aggravates the patient’s condition.

Medicines for the elderly

In the first place are drugs to eliminate high blood pressure:

1. Drugs with a diuretic effect (when fluid begins to be removed from the body, the blood pressure gradually decreases to normal). It is better to give preference Hypothiazide. It is worth noting the minimal cost of the drug and its effectiveness in treating mild hypertension. note that Indapamide or Hypothiazide used to treat volume-dependent hypertension. This phenomenon is typical for women during menopause.

   Hypothiazide is used to treat volume-dependent hypertension

2. In second place are calcium channel blockers - Nifedipine.
3. The main drug is Lisinopril.
4. It is also necessary to take combination drugs - Prestance.

When the patient feels a significant increase in pressure, it is necessary to urgently call a medical team, and first provide the following assistance:

1. Remove the patient from clothing that restricts breathing and movement.
2. Give first aid medications - Captopril And Nifedipine(30 and 10 mg, respectively).
3. When the patient notices uncomfortable pressing sensations in the heart area or pain, it should be immediately placed under the tongue. Nitroglycerine.

   Drug Nitroglycerin

4. Under no circumstances should the patient be allowed to become nervous; he should take a comfortable position and relax as much as possible.
5. Hypertensive patients should only lie in a ventilated area.

Additionally, it should be noted that pharmacies have outdated drugs that may be recommended to lower blood pressure. One of these is Validol, a drug used for pain in the heart muscle. Also Moxonidine And Clonidine– they were widely used several years ago to quickly reduce the manifestations of hypertension. But today doctors do not advise resorting to such outdated drugs.

Note! Very often diuretics are used to treat high blood pressure, the most popular among them are Furosemide, Lasix, Ravel, Arifon.

Furosemide for the treatment of high blood pressure

It is necessary to understand that when it comes to new generation drugs, they have significantly fewer side effects than previous generations of drugs. At the same time, during treatment with drugs with antihypertensive effects, a correctly selected course of therapy by the doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of the hypertensive patient and contraindications of the drug, is of great importance.

Constant increase in blood pressure (BP) up to 140-150/90 mm. rt. Art. and above is a sure sign of hypertension. The disease, as we all know, is very common and makes people younger.

Causes of hypertension:

• long-term stress,
• diseases of the endocrine system,
• sedentary lifestyle,
• excess body fat, including visceral fat in the absence of external signs of obesity,
• alcohol abuse,
• smoking,
• passion for highly salted foods.

Knowing the causes of the disease, we have the opportunity to prevent the disease. Elderly people are at risk. Having asked the grandparents we know about whether their blood pressure is rising, we find that 50-60% of them have hypertension of one stage or another. By the way, about the stages:

1. Easy is Stage 1 hypertension when the pressure rises to 150-160/90 mmHg. Art. The pressure “jumps” and normalizes during the day. An electrocardiogram (ECG) shows normal.
2. Moderate in severity is Stage 2 of the disease. Blood pressure is up to 180/100 mmHg, stable. The ECG shows left ventricular hypertrophy. When examining the fundus, changes in the retinal vessels are visible. Hypertensive crises are typical for this stage.
3. Stage 3 is heavy. Blood pressure is above 200/115 mm. rt. Art. Organs affected: deep damage to the blood vessels of the eyes, impaired renal function, thrombosis of cerebral vessels, encephalopathy.

If a person’s blood pressure rises 1-2 times a month, this is a reason to contact a therapist, who will prescribe the necessary examinations. It is necessary to determine whether the “jump” in pressure is associated with stress or with other diseases, only then can we talk about the need to take medications. It is possible that by starting non-drug therapy (salt-free diet, emotional rest, optimal physical activity for the patient’s age), the pressure will stop increasing. It happens that increased pressure is associated with diseases of the endocrine and urinary system. In any case, an examination is necessary.

Patients with hypertension experience pain in the head (often in the occipital region), dizziness, get tired quickly and sleep poorly, many have heart pain, and vision is impaired.

The disease becomes more complicated hypertensive crises (when blood pressure rises sharply to high numbers), impaired renal function - nephrosclerosis; strokes, intracerebral hemorrhage. To prevent complications, patients with hypertension need to constantly monitor their blood pressure and take special antihypertensive drugs.

Today we will talk about these drugs - modern drugs for the treatment of hypertension.

Pharmacists at pharmacies, to whom grandmother-visitors often come not only to buy the necessary medicine, but also just to talk, have to hear something like the following words: “Daughter, tell me, have you studied which drug will help best with blood pressure? The doctor prescribed me a bunch, is it really impossible to replace it with one?”

As a rule, the desire of a patient with hypertension is to purchase a drug that would be “the strongest” and inexpensive. And it is also advisable that after taking a course of these pills you will never suffer from “pressure” again. However, a hypertensive patient must understand that his disease is chronic, and unless a miracle happens, his blood pressure level will have to be adjusted for the rest of his life. What medications are offered for this purpose to people suffering from high blood pressure?

Each antihypertensive drug has its own mechanism of action. For ease of understanding, we can say that it presses certain “buttons” in the body, after which the pressure decreases.

What is meant by these “buttons”:

1. Renin-angiotensin system- the kidneys produce the substance prorenin (with a decrease in pressure), which passes into the blood into renin. Renin interacts with the blood plasma protein angiotensinogen, resulting in the formation of the inactive substance angiotensin I. Angiotensin, when interacting with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), is converted into the active substance angiotensin II. This substance increases blood pressure, constricts blood vessels, increases the frequency and strength of heart contractions, excites the sympathetic nervous system (which also leads to increased blood pressure), and increases the production of aldosterone. Aldosterone promotes sodium and water retention, which also increases blood pressure. Angiotensin II is one of the most powerful vasoconstrictor substances in the body.

2. Calcium channels of the cells of our body- calcium in the body is in a bound state. When calcium enters the cell through special channels, a contractile protein, actomyosin, is formed. Under its influence, the blood vessels narrow, the heart begins to contract more strongly, the pressure rises and the heart rate increases.

3. Adrenergic receptors- in some organs of our body there are receptors, the irritation of which increases blood pressure. These receptors include alpha and beta adrenergic receptors. The increase in blood pressure is influenced by the stimulation of alpha receptors located in arterioles and beta receptors located in the heart and kidneys.

4. Urinary system- as a result of excess water in the body, blood pressure increases.

5. Central nervous system- stimulation of the central nervous system increases blood pressure. The brain contains vasomotor centers that regulate blood pressure levels.

Classification of drugs for hypertension

So, we have looked at the main mechanisms of increasing blood pressure in our body. It's time to move on to blood pressure lowering agents (antihypertensives), which affect these same mechanisms.

1. Agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system

Calcium channel blockers Alpha adrenergic blockers Beta adrenergic blockers Diuretics Neurotropic drugs of central action Drugs acting on the central nervous system

Agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system

The drugs act on different stages of angiotensin II formation. Some inhibit (restrain) angiotensin-converting enzyme, others block the receptors on which angiotensin II acts. The third group inhibits renin and is represented by only one drug (aliskiren), which is expensive and is used only in the complex therapy of hypertension.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

These drugs prevent the conversion of angiotensin I to active angiotensin II. As a result, the concentration of angiotensin II in the blood decreases, blood vessels dilate, and pressure decreases.

Representatives(synonyms are indicated in brackets - substances with the same chemical composition):

• Captopril (Capoten) - dosage 25 mg, 50 mg;
• Enalapril (Renitek, Berlipril, Renipril, Ednit, Enap, Enarenal, Enam) - dosage is most often 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg;
• Lisinopril (Diroton, Dapril, Lysigamma, Lisinoton) - dosage is most often 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg;
• Perindopril (Prestarium A, Perineva) - available in 2 dosages;
• Ramipril (Tritace, Amprilan, Hartil, Pyramil) - mainly dosage 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg;
• Quinapril (Accupro) - 10 mg;
• Fosinopril (Fosicard, Monopril) - most often in a dosage of 10 mg, 20 mg;
• Trandolapril (Hopten) - 2 mg;
• Zofenopril (Zocardis) - dosage 7.5 mg, 30 mg.

The drugs are available in different dosages for the treatment of hypertension at different stages.

A peculiarity of the drug Captopril (Capoten) is that, due to its short duration of action, it is rational only for hypertensive crises.

A prominent representative of the group, Enalapril and its synonyms are used very often. This drug does not have a long duration of action, so it is taken 2 times a day. In general, the full effect of ACE inhibitors can be observed after 1-2 weeks of drug use. In pharmacies you can find a variety of generic enalapril, i.e. Cheaper enalapril-containing drugs produced by small manufacturers. We discussed the quality of generics in another article, but here it is worth noting that generic enalapril is suitable for some, but does not work for others.

The remaining drugs differ little from each other. ACE inhibitors cause a significant side effect - a dry cough. This side effect develops in every third patient taking ACE inhibitors, about a month after starting treatment. In cases of cough development, ACE inhibitors are replaced with drugs of the following group.

Angiotensin receptor blockers (antagonists) (sartans)

These drugs block angiotensin receptors. As a result, angiotensin II does not interact with them, the vessels dilate, and blood pressure drops.

• Losartan (Cozaar, Lozap, Lorista, Vasotens) - different dosages;
• Eprosartan (Teveten) - 600 mg;
• Valsartan (Diovan, Valsacor, Valz, Nortivan, Valsafors) - different dosages;
• Irbesartan (Aprovel) - 150 mg, 300 mg;
• Candesartan (Atacand) - 80 mg, 160 mg, 320 mg;
• Telmisartan (Micardis) - 40 mg, 80 mg;
• Olmesartan (Cardosal) - 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg.

Just like its predecessors, it allows you to evaluate the full effect 1-2 weeks after the start of administration. Does not cause dry cough. They are more expensive than ACE inhibitors, but are not more effective.

Calcium channel blockers

Another name for this group is calcium ion antagonists. The drugs attach to the cell membrane and block the channels through which calcium enters the cell. The contractile protein actomyosin is not formed, the blood vessels dilate, blood pressure drops, and the pulse slows down (antiarrhythmic effect). Vasodilation reduces the resistance of the arteries to blood flow, therefore reducing the load on the heart. Therefore, calcium channel blockers are used for hypertension, angina and arrhythmias, or a combination of all these ailments, which is also not uncommon. For arrhythmias, not all calcium channel blockers are used, but only pulse-lowering ones.

• Verapamil (Isoptin SR, Verogalid ER) - dosage 240 mg;
• Diltiazem (Altiazem RR) - dosage 180 mg;

The following representatives (dihydropyridine derivatives) are not used for arrhythmia:

• Nifedipine (Adalat, Cordaflex, Cordafen, Cordipine, Corinfar, Nifecard, Phenigidine) - dosage is generally 10 mg, 20 mg;
• Amlodipine (Norvasc, Normodipin, Tenox, Cordi Cor, Es Cordi Cor, Cardilopin, Kalchek, Amlotop, Omelar cardio, Amlovas) - dosage with mainly 5 mg, 10 mg;
• Felodipine (Plendil, Felodip) - 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg;
• Nimodipine (Nimotop) - 30 mg;
• Lacidipine (Latsipil, Sakur) - 2 mg, 4 mg;
• Lercanidipine (Lerkamen) - 20 mg.

Some modern cardiologists do not recommend using the very first of the drugs of dihydropyridine derivatives, nifedipine, even during a hypertensive crisis. This is due to a very short duration of action and many side effects that occur (for example, increased heart rate).

The remaining dihydropyridine calcium antagonists have good efficacy and duration of action. Side effects include swelling of the limbs at the beginning of use, which usually goes away within 7 days. If the hands and legs continue to swell, you need to replace the drug.

Alpha blockers

These agents attach to alpha adrenergic receptors and block them from the irritating effects of norepinephrine. As a result, blood pressure decreases.

The representative used - Doxazosin (Cardura, Tonocardin) - is often available in dosages of 1 mg, 2 mg. It is used to relieve attacks and long-term therapy. Many alpha blocker drugs have been discontinued.

Beta blockers

Beta adrenergic receptors are located in the heart and bronchi. There are drugs that block all these receptors - they have a non-selective effect and are contraindicated for bronchial asthma. Other drugs block only the beta receptors of the heart - a selective effect. All beta blockers interfere with the synthesis of prorenin in the kidneys, thereby blocking the renin-angiotensin system. This causes the blood vessels to dilate and blood pressure to decrease.

• Metoprolol (Betalok ZOK, Egilok retard, Vasocardin retard, Metocard retard) - in various dosages;
• Bisoprolol (Concor, Coronal, Biol, Bisogamma, Cordinorm, Niperten, Biprol, Bidop, Aritel) - most often the dosage is 5 mg, 10 mg;
• Nebivolol (Nebilet, Binelol) - 5 mg;
• Betaxolol (Lokren) - 20 mg;
• Carvedilol (Carvetrend, Coriol, Talliton, Dilatrend, Acridiol) - mainly dosage 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, 25 mg.

Drugs in this group are used for hypertension combined with angina pectoris and arrhythmias.

We do not list here those drugs whose use is not rational for hypertension. These are anaprilin (obzidan), atenolol, propranolol.

Beta blockers are contraindicated in diabetes mellitus and bronchial asthma.

Diuretics (diuretics)

As a result of the removal of water from the body, blood pressure decreases. Diuretics prevent the reabsorption of sodium ions, which as a result are excreted and carry water with them. In addition to sodium ions, diuretics flush out potassium ions from the body, which are necessary for the functioning of the cardiovascular system. There are potassium-sparing diuretics.

• Hydrochlorothiazide (Hypothiazide) - 25 mg, 100 mg, included in combination preparations;
• Indapamide (Arifon retard, Ravel SR, Indapamide MV, Indap, Ionic retard, Acripamide retard) - most often the dosage is 1.5 mg.
• Triampur (a combined diuretic containing potassium-sparing triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide);
• Spironolactone (Veroshpiron, Aldactone)

Diuretics are prescribed in combination with other antihypertensive drugs. The drug indapamide is the only diuretic used independently for hypertension. Fast-acting diuretics (such as furosemide) are not advisable to use for hypertension; they are taken in emergency, extreme cases. When using diuretics, it is important to take potassium supplements.

Neurotropic drugs of central action and drugs acting on the central nervous system

If hypertension is caused by prolonged stress, then drugs that act on the central nervous system (sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills) are used.

Centrally acting neurotropic drugs affect the vasomotor center in the brain, reducing its tone.

• Moxonidine (Physiotens, Moxonitex, Moxogamma) - 0.2 mg, 0.4 mg;
• Rilmenidine (Albarel (1mg) - 1mg;
• Methyldopa (Dopegit) - 250 mg.

The first representative of this group is clonidine, which was previously widely used for hypertension. It reduced blood pressure so much that a person could fall into a coma if the dose was exceeded. This drug is now available strictly by prescription.

Why do you take multiple medications at once for hypertension?

In the initial stage of the disease, the doctor prescribes one drug depending on the origin of the disease, based on some studies and taking into account the patient’s existing diseases. If one drug is ineffective, which often happens, other drugs are added, creating a pressure-lowering complex that affects different mechanisms of blood pressure lowering. These complexes may consist of 2-3 drugs.

Drugs are selected from different groups. For example:

• ACE inhibitor/diuretic;
• angiotensin receptor blocker/diuretic;
• ACE inhibitor/calcium channel blocker;
• ACE inhibitor/calcium channel blocker/beta blocker;
• angiotensin receptor blocker/calcium channel blocker/beta blocker;
• ACE inhibitor/calcium channel blocker/diuretic and other combinations.

Medicines for hypertension and their complexes are prescribed only by a doctor! Under no circumstances should you choose medications for hypertension on your own or on the advice of a neighbor (for example). One patient may benefit from one combination, another from another. One has diabetes, for which some combinations and drugs are prohibited, the other does not have this disease. There are combinations of drugs that are irrational, for example: beta blockers/calcium channel blockers, pulse slowers, beta blockers/central acting drugs and other combinations. To understand this, you need to be a cardiologist. It is dangerous to joke with your cardiovascular system by self-medicating with such a serious disease.

Hypertensive patients often ask whether it is possible to replace several medications with one. There are combination drugs that combine components of substances from different groups of antihypertensive drugs.

• ACE inhibitor/diuretic
  • Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide (Co-Renitec, Enap NL, Enap N, ENAP NL 20, Renipril GT)
  • Enalapril/Indapamide (Enzix duo, Enzix duo forte)
  • Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide (Iruzid, Lisinoton, Liten N)
  • Perindopril/Indapamide (Noliprel and Noliprel forte)
  • Quinapril/Hydrochlorothiazide (Accusid)
  • Fosinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide (Fosicard N)
• angiotensin receptor blocker/diuretic
  • Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (Gizaar, Lozap plus, Lorista N, Lorista ND)
  • Eprosartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (Teveten plus)
  • Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (Co-diovan)
  • Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (Coaprovel)
  • Candesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (Atacand Plus)
  • Telmisartan / HCTZ (Micardis Plus)
• ACE inhibitor/calcium channel blocker
  • Trandolapril/Verapamil (Tarka)
  • Lisinopril/Amlodipine (Equator)
• angiotensin receptor blocker/calcium channel blocker
  • Valsartan/Amlodipine (Exforge)
• calcium channel blocker dihydropyridine/beta blocker
  • Felodipine/metoprolol (Logimax)
• beta blocker/diuretic (not recommended for diabetes and obesity)
  • Bisoprolol/Hydrochlorothiazide (Lodoz, Aritel plus)

All drugs are available in different dosages of one and another component; the dose must be selected for the patient by the doctor.

06.04.2016

Cough accompanies most diseases and is a very unpleasant symptom. Cough can be of two types: wet and dry. Today we will talk about the latter, find out what effective medicine can be used for children and adults and how to cope with this disease. Below we provide a list of good and inexpensive medications you can buy for children and adults.

What to choose?

Antitussive drugs, the list of which is given below, can effectively treat cough in children and adults. But which drugs can really give the desired result, providing quick treatment? A dry cough is difficult to treat, since the medicine must turn it into a wet one. Effective treatment in this case is shown by ACC. Antitussive drugs are divided into several groups, but what are they? Categories of remedies for dry cough for children and adults include:

• Medicines that act on the smooth muscles of the bronchial tree, thereby suppressing the symptom.
• Tablets for dry cough inhibit processes in the cough center, leading to a reduction in symptoms.
• Antitussives that affect sputum production.

But, unfortunately, it was not possible to come up with a drug that would be universal in the treatment of all types of diseases of the bronchial tree, as well as in eliminating all their symptoms.

Antitussives

If children and adults have a dry cough, it is recommended to use the following medications:

1. Sinekod, Glauvent, Demorfanu. Medicines are aimed at eliminating cough by affecting the cough center. Such antitussive drugs are quite effective for treating children, but are sold only by prescription. Therefore, it is not always possible to buy such tablets for dry cough. Medicines are prescribed only by a doctor; the method of administration and dosage must also be prescribed by the attending physician. Such medications that eliminate dry cough are quite serious, so treatment on your own is not recommended.
2. Levopront, Gelicidin, Libexin. These are peripherally acting drugs. They are less effective, but have fewer side effects. Treatment of cough with their help is carried out for adults and children.
3. Tussin, Lorraine, Bronholitin, Stoptussin. These are antitussive combination drugs. Such expectorants for dry cough are very popular and are widely used in the treatment of children and adults. To eliminate cough, it is enough to take 1 or 2 tablets per day. Treatment should not last more than 5-7 days.

Contraindications

When choosing the best remedy for dry cough, you should understand that even such a medicine may have its contraindications. When deciding to treat cough in children and adults, you should know that many drugs have side contraindications and should not be used:

• During lactation.
• During pregnancy.
• In case of individual intolerance to the constituent parts of the medicine.
• In the presence of respiratory failure.
• For children under two years old.
• If you have bronchial asthma.

If you have a dry cough, then treatment with such drugs will transform it into a wet one. In the future, to treat an already wet cough, it is recommended to take the following medications:

• Expectorant medications: Althaea, Licorice, Thermopsis. The presence of natural plant substances in the preparations makes them completely harmless. Cough can be treated with such drugs at any age, as long as you are not allergic to the components of the product.
• Mucolytic drugs: Bromhexine, Halixol, Lazolvan, Pertussin, Mukobene, ACC. Treatment with such drugs is used everywhere, they have proven themselves well and allow you to quickly cope with dry coughs.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs for cough treatment: Ascoril, Gedelix, Eucabal, Pulmotin, Sinupret.

In order for the treatment to be effective and the cough to go away within the first few days, it is necessary to consult with your doctor. The most effective treatment for dry cough is to use combination drugs. It is extremely important which form of the drug is used to treat the disease. To treat children, it is best to use effervescent tablets and syrups, as they can be absorbed much faster. A positive result from such treatment occurs earlier. The use of effervescent tablets is not recommended if you have stomach problems.

In any case, you should consult your doctor before starting treatment, especially if you need to treat children.

Acetylcysteine ​​(ACC)

This drug has gained great popularity in the treatment of dry cough among children and adults. The principle of action of such a drug lies in the dilution of viscous and thick sputum, which allows for its accelerated removal from the bronchial tree. This medicine is absorbed quickly into the gastrointestinal tract. It penetrates the thickness of the hematoplacental barrier and accumulates in the amniotic fluid, so its use during pregnancy is prohibited.

Indications for use:

• For bronchitis in any of its manifestations.
• With trazeites.
• For sinusitis.
• Bronchiectasis at any of its stages.
• For laryngitis.
• For otitis.

The method of using the drug for dry cough at home is very simple. During the treatment of dry cough with bronchitis, ACC is used as follows:

• Children from birth to two years are recommended to take 50 milligrams of the drug, divided into three doses per day.
• Children aged two to five years should take 100 milligrams four times a day.
• Starting from the age of six, it is recommended to divide 60 milligrams of the drug into three doses per day. The duration of treatment can be up to several months;
• Starting from the age of 14, the dosage of the drug is 300 milligrams twice a day. The duration of treatment should not be more than a week. In the presence of chronic disorders, the duration of therapy can be up to 6 months.

It is recommended to use this drug to treat dry cough after meals. The sachet or tablets are dissolved in a small volume of liquid (you can use water, tea, juice) and taken orally.

Side effects

But, like all medications, ACC has its side effects. While taking the drug you can observe:

1. vomiting;
2. nausea;
3. heartburn;
4. stomatitis;
5. decreased blood pressure;
6. headaches;
7. skin rash;
8. tachycardia.

Contraindications

• There is increased sensitivity to the constituent parts of the drug.
• There are hereditary diseases associated with fructose intolerance.
• For hepatitis.
• If there are blood clots in the expectorant fluid.
• With poor kidney function.

If an overdose occurs during therapy with this drug, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor. Timely assistance will not only allow you to continue treatment, but also avoid negative health consequences.

Folk remedies

There are a variety of folk remedies for dry cough that can be used at home. Such prescriptions can be considered safer compared to medications, but at the same time they are less effective. Most often they are used to treat children and in the presence of contraindications to the use of medications.

1. Water with salt and soda. As an expectorant at home, you can use this composition twice a day. Mix a pinch of salt and ½ teaspoon of soda in a glass of water. Drink ½ glass before lunch and breakfast.
2. Tincture of marsh wild rosemary. Marsh wild rosemary is used to treat dry cough at home. Pour 30 grams of herb with a glass of boiling water, let it brew and strain. Take 2 tablespoons three times a day. Second recipe: pour a teaspoon of crushed plant herbs into 400 milliliters of boiled water at room temperature, leave for 8 hours and filter. Drink 100 milliliters 4 times a day as an expectorant.
3. Elecampane decoction. This is a good home remedy for treating dry cough. In a thermos, brew 2 teaspoons of plant roots with a glass of boiling water. It is recommended to drink the decoction three times a day, 1/3 cup, half an hour before meals. This decoction is used as a strong expectorant for bronchitis. Second recipe: pour a tablespoon of plant roots with two glasses of water and boil for 15 minutes over low heat. Take 2 tablespoons every 60 minutes throughout the day.
4. Viburnum decoction. Viburnum flowers are an effective expectorant. You can also use a decoction of the fruits of the tree: add a glass of berries to a liter of hot water, boil for 10 minutes, strain, add a few tablespoons of honey. Drink 3-4 times a day, ½ glass.
5. Collection. We take equal parts of common oregano grass, coltsfoot leaves, and common raspberry fruits. Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a cup of boiling water, let it brew for 25 minutes and drink it like hot tea.
6. Cabbage juice. Freshly squeezed cabbage juice is used with sugar as an expectorant for hoarseness and cough. Drink a teaspoon several times a day. Take a decoction of cabbage with the addition of honey orally for diseases of the respiratory system.
7. Onions with milk. Finely chop the head of garlic and 10 onions. Boil the mixture in milk until tender, add mint juice and honey. Take a tablespoon after an hour for a dry, prolonged cough.
8. Milk with burnt sugar. Take a tablespoon of sugar and keep it on the fire until it turns dark brown. Pour the mixture into a plate with milk. If you have a dry cough, keep the resulting “candy” in your mouth until it is completely dissolved.
9. Sugar and bananas. Mash 2 bananas thoroughly and add sweetened hot water. It is recommended to take the composition exclusively warm.
10. Cherry syrup. Cherry syrup has become an excellent cough reliever. It is recommended to add the product directly to tea.

Advice from an expert

Each of us has encountered a debilitating dry cough. In order not to worsen the situation, it is recommended to begin immediate therapy. Before starting to take medications, it is recommended to consult a doctor so as not to cause further harm to the body. Do not self-medicate, because an untreated cough can develop into a chronic form. Be always healthy!

Cough(tussis) – this is a reflex act aimed at clearing the respiratory tract of phlegm or foreign particles.

Considering that cough is one of the manifestations, often the only one, of any disease or pathological condition attempts to eliminate this symptom without explaining its cause are certainly wrong. When establishing the nature of a cough, it is first necessary to carry out etiotropic or pathogenetic treatment of the underlying disease. In parallel, symptomatic cough therapy can be carried out, which is either antitussive, that is, prevents, controls and suppresses cough, or expectorant (procough), that is, providing greater cough effectiveness.

General principles of cough treatment:
Cough treatment should begin by eliminating its cause
it is necessary to determine whether the cough is dry or wet
an individual approach to cough therapy, taking into account the diagnosis, clinical manifestations of diseases, the individual characteristics of the patient and the properties of the prescribed drugs

Antitussive therapy is indicated in cases where coughing does not clear the airways.. In this case, we can talk about specific antitussive therapy, which is essentially etiotropic or pathogenetic (for example, quitting smoking, eliminating the causes of postnasal drip). Nonspecific antitussive therapy is rather symptomatic, and it has a limited place due to the high probability of identifying the cause of cough and prescribing targeted treatment.

The decision to prescribe antitussive drugs must be justified by the presence of a painful cough that causes significant physical and psychological discomfort in the patient, depriving him of sleep. The choice of an antitussive drug should be made individually, taking into account the mechanism of action, antitussive activity of the drug, the risk of side effects, the presence of concomitant pathologies, and possible contraindications.

Causes of cough

Acute cough:
aspiration – entry of foreign objects into the respiratory tract;
inhalation of irritants(house and library dust, chemical products, powders)
ARVI is the most common cause of acute cough, which is accompanied by nasal congestion and discharge, pain or a sore throat, and general malaise. After an acute respiratory viral infection, a cough may persist for several weeks.
acute bronchitis - begins with a rise in temperature and is manifested by a cough with mucous sputum
whooping cough is a painful, non-productive cough in children and some adults;
pneumonia – begins acutely with an increase in temperature and is manifested by general weakness, malaise, headache
pleurisy – associated with pain in the side, which intensifies with deep breathing

Chronic cough:
Lung cancer – painful cough, chest pain, hemoptysis, shortness of breath, weight loss
Chronical bronchitis– prolonged productive cough
bronchial asthma– unproductive cough with the release of a small amount of mucous, viscous sputum
left ventricular failure, which occurs against the background of coronary artery disease or heart defects - a cough is accompanied by the discharge of mucous sputum, often mixed with blood. It is necessary to pay attention to the presence of other signs of heart failure: shortness of breath, swelling, weakness
gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) - one of the symptoms is a cough without sputum production. Often the patient feels pain and a burning sensation behind the sternum or in the epigastric region, heartburn at night and in the morning
mental disorders– cough occurs in stressful situations (for example, when speaking in front of a large audience
taking certain medications– taking ACE inhibitors, -blockers, cytostatics can provoke coughing. The cough usually disappears after stopping the medications

TREATMENT OF DRY COUGH

Antitussives are used to treat dry cough.

Such drugs inhibit the cough center in the medulla oblongata or reduce the sensitivity of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract to irritants:
drugs that suppress the cough center– products containing codeine, dectromethorphan, paxeladin, tusuprex, butamirate
drugs that reduce the sensitivity of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract to irritants- libexin

Centrally acting antitussives (narcotics)

Centrally acting antitussives suppress the function of the cough center of the medulla oblongata. The most famous drug in this group is codeine, a natural narcotic analgesic from the group of opiate receptor agonists.

Methylmorphine (codeine) Markedly reduces the excitability of the cough center. It provides a duration of blockade of the cough reflex for 4-6 hours. Currently, codeine is used infrequently and is used in short courses due to its ability to depress the respiratory center, which leads to a decrease in ventilation. May cause drowsiness and constipation. With long-term use it can cause addiction and drug dependence. Contraindicated during pregnancy and children under 2 years of age. It is not recommended to combine with alcohol, sleeping pills, analgesics, or psychotropic drugs.

Directions for use and doses Orally, for adults for pain - 15-60 mg every 3-6 hours, for diarrhea - 30 mg 4 times a day, for cough - 10-20 mg 4 times a day; for children, these doses are respectively 0.5 mg/kg 4–6 times a day, 0.5 mg/kg 4 times a day and 3–10 mg/kg 4–6 times a day. IM is administered in the same doses as for enteral administration. The highest daily dose is 120 mg.

Dextromethorphan A synthetic analogue of codeine, not inferior to it in antitussive activity. The ability to depress the respiratory center, cause constipation, and addiction is much less than that of codeine. Contraindicated during pregnancy and children under 2 years of age. Cannot be combined with alcohol, sleeping pills, analgesics, psychotropic drugs (severe depression of the central nervous system, respiration), amiodarone (increased toxicity).

Currently, new antitussives that are free from these disadvantages are more often used (they do not cause constipation, addiction or addiction, do not depress breathing, do not affect intestinal motility), the so-called non-narcotic antitussives. These include glaucine, which has a selective central effect.

Centrally acting antitussives (non-narcotic)

They inhibit sensitive receptors and tension receptors of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and partially suppress the central part of the cough reflex without inhibiting the respiratory center. It should be noted that oxeladine and butamirate, in addition to the antitussive effect, are characterized by bronchodilator action. Butamirate also exhibits secretolytic and anti-inflammatory effects. A group of antitussive non-narcotic drugs of central action is also indicated for cough associated with irritation of the mucous membranes of the upper (supraglottic) respiratory tract, irritation of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and oropharynx, due to infectious or irritative inflammation.

Oxeladin (Tusuprex, Paxeladin) A synthetic antitussive agent that selectively acts on the cough center. When used, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness are rarely possible.

Directions for use and doses Inside. Adults - 1 capsule. 2–3 times or 2–5 measuring spoons per day, for children (syrup only) - 1 measuring spoon of syrup per 10 kg of body weight per day; children under 4 years old - 1-2, from 4 to 15 - 2-3 scoops per day.

Butamirate An antitussive agent that selectively acts on the cough center. It has a moderate expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect, reduces airway resistance, and improves external respiratory function. Take before meals. In rare cases, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness may occur during use. Not recommended in the first trimester, during lactation. Children over 3 years old can be prescribed syrup, over 12 years old - tablets.

Directions for use and doses Inside, the dose is determined depending on age.

Peripheral antitussives (non-narcotic)

Peripheral agents are also used to suppress cough. These include tablets for resorption in the mouth or syrups and teas containing plant extracts of eucalyptus, acacia, licorice, wild cherry, linden, etc., glycerin, honey, which have an enveloping effect and create a protective layer on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract ( mainly in the upper sections).

Prenoxdiazine (Libexin) Synthetic antitussive drug of combined action. Slightly inhibits the cough center without depressing breathing. It has a local anesthetic, direct antispasmodic effect, reduces the excitability of peripheral receptors, and prevents the development of bronchospasm. The tablets should be swallowed without chewing (otherwise numbness and insensitivity of the oral mucosa may occur). During pregnancy, it should be prescribed with extreme caution.

Directions for use and doses Orally, without chewing (to avoid numbness of the oral mucosa), 3–4 times a day: adults - usually 100 mg (in severe cases - 200 mg), children - depending on age and body weight, usually 25 –50 mg. In preparation for bronchoscopy: 1 hour before the study - 0.9–3.8 mg/kg, in combination with 0.5–1 mg of atropine.

TREATMENT OF WET COUGH

If there is viscous sputum, the patient can be advised to drink plenty of fluids, including herbal remedies. Herbal remedies are used that have anti-inflammatory, enveloping, expectorant, bronchodilator effects, reduce irritation of the bronchial mucosa, and increase the cough threshold. In the absence of contraindications, for example, vasomotor rhinitis, water vapor inhalations are also used, alone or with the addition of sodium chloride or benzoate, sodium bicarbonate - soda, ammonium chloride, plant extracts. This promotes hydration of the mucous membrane, has mild analgesic and anesthetic effects, reduces reflex stimulation of the cough center, improves the rheological properties of secretions and relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchi.
Along with this, drugs such as thermopsis and ipecac enhance the gag and cough reflexes, so they should not be used in children in the first months of life and in patients with damage to the central nervous system: they can cause aspiration, asphyxia, the formation of atelectasis, or increase vomiting associated with cough.

Expectorants

The mechanism of action of expectorants is based on reducing the viscosity of mucus by increasing its volume and, as a consequence, removing bronchial secretions from the respiratory tract. Most of them actively increase mucus secretion due to reflex irritation of the glands of the bronchial mucosa. Iodides, ammonium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, essential oils have a direct secretomotor and secretolytic effect, stimulating proteolysis and hydrolysis of sputum.

Among the expectorants there are:
reflex acting drugs- thermopsis, marshmallow, licorice, terpene hydrate, essential oils - when taken orally, they irritate the stomach receptors and reflexively enhance the secretion of the salivary glands and bronchial mucous glands
resorptive drugs- sodium and potassium iodide, ammonium chloride, sodium bicarbonate - are absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract, secreted by the bronchial mucosa and increase bronchial secretion, thus thinning mucus and facilitating expectoration

Mucoregulatory agents

Carbocisteine ​​is active only when taken orally. Carbocysteine, unlike acetylcysteine, bromhexine and ambroxol, has a mucoregulatory effect, reducing the synthesis of neutral mucins and increasing the production of acidic mucins. It also helps to increase the synthesis of IgA by epithelial cells and, by significantly reducing the number of goblet cells, especially in the terminal sections of the bronchioles, reduces mucus production, therefore carbocisteine ​​is not recommended to be combined with drugs that reduce the secretion of bronchial mucus, with scanty sputum production, as well as with a tendency to constipation . Carbocysteine ​​restores normal viscosity and elasticity of mucus, promoting its elimination, and also reduces sputum secretion. Clinical and pharmacological properties are similar to acetylcysteine. Thins mucus by breaking disulfide bonds in glycosaminoglycans. Inhibits the local effects of inflammatory mediators. Promotes the penetration of antibiotics into bronchial secretions.

Directions for use and doses Inside. Adults - 2 caps. or 15 ml (3 teaspoons) of 5% syrup 3 times a day; after improvement - 1 caps. or 10 ml (2 teaspoons) 5% syrup 3 times a day. Children from 2 to 5 years old: 2.5–5 ml (1/2–1 teaspoon) of 2.5% syrup 4 times a day, from 5 to 12 years old: 10 ml of 2.5% syrup (2 teaspoons). spoons) 4 times a day.

Bromhexine reduces the viscosity of sputum if it is not very pronounced. Currently, bromhexine is being replaced by the drug of its active metabolite, ambroxol (Ambrohexal). Ambroxol not only increases the level of sputum, but also promotes better elimination. Bromhexine is metabolized in the liver into the active substance ambroxol. Thus, ambroxol is an active metabolite of bromhexine. They fragment glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans of bronchial secretions. They have a mucolytic (secretolytic) and expectorant effect. They have a weak antitussive effect. Bromhexine and ambroxol have the ability to stimulate the production of endogenous pulmonary surfactant, and ambroxol, in addition, slows down its breakdown. Surfactant ensures the stability of alveolar cells during breathing, prevents the alveoli from collapsing, protects them from the effects of external adverse factors, and improves the “sliding” of bronchopulmonary secretions along the epithelium of the bronchial mucosa. Reducing the viscosity of mucus and improving its sliding significantly increase the fluidity of sputum and facilitate its release from the respiratory tract.

Directions for use and doses Inside, inhalation, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, slowly intravenously. Orally: adults and children over 14 years old - 8–16 mg 3–4 times a day; children under 14 years old - depending on age.

!!! one of the disadvantages of acetylcysteine, carbocysteine ​​and partly bromhexine is their ability to enhance bronchospasm, therefore the use of these drugs in the acute period of bronchial asthma is not indicated

Mucolytic agents

Mucolytics normalize the secretion of bronchial secretions and thereby improve the removal of mucus from the bronchi. Mucolytics can be used to treat diseases of the lower respiratory tract, both acute (tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia) and chronic (chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, cystic fibrosis). The prescription of mucolytic agents is also indicated for diseases of the ENT organs, accompanied by the release of mucous and mucopurulent secretions (rhinitis, sinusitis). Mucolytics are often the drug of choice in children in the first three years of life.

Actylcysteine ​​(ACC) is one of the most active mucolytic drugs. ACC breaks the bonds of sputum mucopolysaccharides, which helps reduce the viscosity of mucus, thin it and facilitate removal from the bronchial tract, without significantly increasing the volume of sputum. In addition, ACC increases cell protection from free radical oxidation characteristic of the inflammatory response. ACC is a promising drug for the treatment of not only acute, but also chronic bronchopulmonary diseases, as well as for preventing the adverse effects of xenobiotics, industrial dust, smoking, including on the incidence of cancer in these groups of patients. The antioxidant effect helps reduce inflammation in the bronchi, reduces the severity of the disease and minimizes the frequency of exacerbations. To date, only drugs containing acetylcysteine ​​combine the properties of a mucolytic and antioxidant.

Indications for use of the drug are acute, recurrent and chronic diseases of the lower parts of the respiratory tract, accompanied by the formation of viscous sputum, without or in the presence of a purulent inflammatory process - acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and other chronic diseases of the respiratory tract. ACC is available in several dosage forms: tablets, powders, solutions, ampoules for injection. This allows you to select treatment individually for each patient.

ACC is applied in an average daily dose of 600 mg. After oral administration, the effect of the drug begins within 30-90 minutes. ACC is usually well tolerated; in rare cases, mild dyspeptic disorders are possible.

Additional medicines used to treat cough

For coughs associated with irritation of the upper respiratory tract, the use of antitussives with local anesthetic activity. Lozenges containing dyclonine are a means of symptomatic therapy in the treatment of inflammatory processes in the pharynx (sore throat, pharyngitis) and larynx (laryngitis). The drugs reduce the feeling of soreness and irritation in the throat, sensitivity to various irritating factors (temperature, chemical), disrupting the development of the cough reflex. The drug eliminates dry paroxysmal, barking cough, chest pain associated with coughing.

If a cough occurs due to an allergic reaction, a prescription is indicated. antihistamines(loratadine, terfenadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine) and mast cell membrane stabilizers (sodium cromoglycate, nedocromil sodium).

__________________________________________________________________________

Useful tips for coughing:
humidify the air; quit smoking or smoke less, and also avoid places where there is a lot of smoke
avoid sudden changes in temperature (for example, quickly leaving a warm room into the cold)
avoid fumes from chemical products (aerosols, dishwashing detergents, powders)
do inhalations and moisturize the nasal mucosa
cough - this helps cleanse the bronchi

Folk remedies for cough:
Pour 1 lemon with water and boil over low heat for 10 minutes, after the lemon has cooled, cut it in half and squeeze the juice out of the lemon into a 200 gram glass, add 2 tablespoons of glycerin (for internal use), pour honey to the edge of the glass and that’s it mix. Take 2 teaspoons of the mixture 3 times a day before meals and at night.
Mix carrot or radish juice with milk in equal parts, take 1 tablespoon 6 times a day.
Mix 2 yolks, 2 tablespoons of butter, 2 teaspoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of wheat flour, take up to 1 teaspoon many times a day.
Mix walnuts crushed in a mortar with honey in equal parts, dilute one teaspoon of the resulting mass in 100 ml of warm water and drink in small sips.
Pour 1 tablespoon of sage herb into 1 cup of boiling water, let it brew, strain, dilute the resulting decoction with milk in a 1:1 ratio, take 1/2 cup of the mixture warm, you can add honey or sugar.
Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 50 g of raisins, let it brew for 30 minutes, add onions and squeeze the juice out of them, drain the water from the raisins and add 3 tablespoons of the squeezed juice, drink in small sips at a time, preferably at night.
Cut seven radishes into thin slices, sprinkle each slice with sugar and leave for 6 hours, take 1 tablespoon of radish juice every hour.
Pour 100 g of viburnum berries with 200 g of honey and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, then cool at room temperature and take 2 tablespoons of the mixture 5 times a day.
Pour one tablespoon of red clover into 200 ml of boiling water, cover, let it brew for 3-5 minutes, drink warm in small sips (an expectorant).
Boil 500 g of peeled chopped onion, 50 g of honey, 400 g of sugar in 1 liter of water for 3 hours over low heat, after which the liquid must be cooled, poured into a bottle and sealed, take 1 tablespoon 5 times a day for a severe cough.

A dry (non-productive) cough is an unpleasant symptom that indicates a disease.

Antitussives for dry coughs are effective drugs with therapeutic effects on the bronchial tree.

Important! The main therapeutic task is to transform the cough reflex into a productive (wet) form, which promotes the removal of bronchial secretions.

Dry cough: determining the causes

However, it should be remembered that before choosing an antitussive pharmacological agent, it is necessary to clearly determine the reasons that cause a dry cough.

Among the many diagnoses that cause irritation of the cough center, the following cause-and-effect factors can be identified:

• bronchial asthma;
• obstructive condition of the pulmonary system;
• acute or chronic bronchitis;
• sensitivity to external irritants (dust, gas, tobacco smoke);
• painful conditions of the nasopharynx;
• irritant side effect on the drug;
• problems with the functioning of the gastric or intestinal tract.

How are cough medications classified?

On a note! There are no universal antitussive drugs for dry cough. All pharmacological combinations are aimed at eliminating the cough reflex and differ in the type of effect on the respiratory tract.

Thus, these pharmacological antitussive groups can be classified according to the following parameters:

• drugs with combined antitussive action;
• therapeutic forms of peripheral action;
• centrally acting pharmacological agents;
• expectorants;
• mucolytics.

Expensive and inexpensive antitussive drugs for dry cough can be produced by the manufacturer in various dosage forms and forms:

• in the form of tablets;
• in the form of an elixir or syrup;
• in the form of dry collection of plants;
• in the form of lollipops or chewable pastilles;
• in the form of suppositories (candles).

The principle of action of antitussive drugs

Let's consider the most effective dosage forms for the treatment of dry cough and the mechanism of action of various antitussive drugs on the bronchopulmonary system.

Centrally acting antitussives (non-narcotic)

• Paxeladine is a pharmacological drug that has a softening effect on the respiratory tract of the respiratory system, inhibits irritation of cough receptors and does not have a narcotic effect on the central organ of the nervous system. This antitussive drug for dry cough in adults is recommended for the following conditions: smoker's cough, allergic cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, and so on. A contraindication for use is the body's hypersensitivity to the drug. Before using the drug Paxeladin, you should consult your doctor!
• Sedotussin is an effective antitussive pharmacological agent of central action, suppressing hyperstimulation of the cough center, having a local anesthetic and bronchodilator effect, the active substance of which is pentoxyverine.
• Sinekod is another medicinal antitussive form of central non-narcotic effect on the respiratory tract. Available in the form of tablets and syrup, which is recommended as an expectorant for children. The drug has an anti-inflammatory and moderate bronchodilator effect on the receptors of the cough center, which significantly improves oxygenation and blood spinometry.

Other medicinal antitussive forms of non-narcotic action include: Ledin, Ethylmorphine, Tusuprex, Akodin, Butamirate and so on.

Peripheral antitussives

Dosage forms of this pharmacological group have a suppressive effect on irritated receptors of the cough center, promote the formation of secretions and their removal from the respiratory tract:

• Libexin is an antitussive agent that allows you to block the reflex peripheral areas of the cough center without causing depression of the respiratory tract. Libexin has an anesthetic and bronchodilator effect on the inflamed areas of the bronchopulmonary system within 3-5 hours after administration.
• Bitiodine is an antitussive drug that has a beneficial effect on the upper respiratory tract and lungs during various inflammatory processes in the bronchopulmonary system.
• Prenoxdiazine is a synthetic antitussive agent that has a bronchodilator and anesthetic effect on cough receptors in the respiratory tract. The drug does not depress breathing, is not addictive, and has an anti-inflammatory effect in various chronic diseases of the bronchial tree.

It should be remembered that peripherally acting drugs can cause addiction and drug dependence. Therefore, such pharmacological agents are dispensed in pharmacies with a prescription from the attending physician.

Combined antitussives

On a note! Combined-action antitussives, which stimulate the excretion of bronchial secretions, facilitate breathing and promote dilation of the bronchi, will help suppress attacks of dry cough and turn it into a productive (wet) form.

The most effective pharmacological agents are:

• Doctor Mom is a combined antitussive drug made on the basis of an extract of medicinal plants. The pharmacological agent is available in various dosage forms: syrup, ointment, pastille. Doctor Mom does not contain narcotic or sleeping pills, synthetic substances or alcohol, so it can be recommended as an antitussive drug for children with dry cough.
• Codelac Phyto is a combination cough medicine. Contains only extracts of natural plant components (thyme, licorice root, thermopsis, etc.). The drug is recommended for patients with symptomatic therapy suffering from dry (non-productive) cough with various etiologies of respiratory tract dysfunction. Codelac Fito can be recommended for children from the age of two. In this case, supervision of a pediatrician or local pediatrician is required.
• Cofex is an antitussive and antihistamine drug with combined action. The composition of the pharmacological agent includes chlorpheniramine maleate, which has an antiallergic effect. Therefore, Cofex is an effective medicine for dry coughs of an allergic and/or infectious nature.

Mucolytics

The functional purpose of this type of pharmacological combinatorial agent is concentrated on the dilution and removal of accumulated mucus from the respiratory tract. In other words, transforming a dry, debilitating cough into a wet, that is, productive type. The main mucolytics that suppress the receptors of the cough center in dry cough are:

• Acetylcysteine ​​is a drug that belongs to the category of the most active antitussives. Acetylcysteine ​​has an antimicrobial, antiexudative and antitoxic effect, allowing it to dilute bronchial secretions and promote its active removal from the bronchopulmonary duct.
• Bromhexine is a drug that has an expectorant effect, allowing to increase the secretion of bronchial secretions and reduce sputum viscosity. The drug is very effective for various diseases of the respiratory system, such as pneumoconiosis, chronic and acute inflammation of the trachea, bronchitis and so on.
• Mucaltin is the most common expectorant pharmacological agent recommended for various diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract. In addition to the auxiliary components, the drug contains marshmallow root extract, which spontaneously regenerates the tissues of the bronchopulmonary tract, reducing and blocking inflammatory processes.

Cough remedies for children: review of drugs

A dry cough in a child may be the result of a developing pathology of the upper respiratory tract, such as laryngitis or pharyngitis. During a medical examination, a pediatric otolaryngologist prescribes special antitussive medications only when attacks of the dry cough reflex become unbearable, exhaust the child, and prevent the baby from sleeping peacefully. To suppress the cough center, drugs of combined, central and/or peripheral action are used. In addition to the above-described medicinal antitussives, approved for use in children over 2 years of age, there are other effective drugs that can improve the condition of the respiratory system in a child.

Let's review the most effective and popular medicinal antitussives for children:

• Tussin or Tussin-plus is a drug with a mucolytic and expectorant effect that stimulates the secretory cells of the bronchial mucosa thanks to the main component - guaifenesin. Glycerin, which is part of the structural content of the pharmacological agent, allows for a beneficial effect on inflammatory processes in the pharynx, relieving soreness and reducing pain.
• Herbion (syrup) is a unique medicine that has antispasmodic, mucolytic and bronchodilator effects, which contains biologically active additives based on ivy extract. Without causing side effects, this drug is well tolerated by young patients. A contraindication may be an allergic reaction in a child, a problematic condition of the gastrointestinal tract, or some endocrine and dermatological diseases.
• Bronchicum is an excellent drug that has an effective pharmacological effect aimed at treating diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, cough and other inflammations of the bronchial tree. Bronchicum is available in various pharmacological forms: in the form of drops, tablets, cough lozenges, syrup, balm, inhalate and even tea. Bronchicum contains the following natural ingredients: primrose and pimpinella roots, grindelia herb, thyme and rosehip flowers.