During illness, a symptom such as cough often appears. Usually it is the body's response to stagnation of viscous fluid in the trachea and bronchi.
However, there is a cough that is not accompanied by the release of any mucus - this is what is called dry.
This type is the most dangerous, since the absence of phlegm additionally irritates the throat, increases inflammation and pain.
With a dry cough, you can often experience a sore throat and sore throat.
A dry cough can only be cured by taking special medications. Modern pharmacology has an extremely wide range of drugs for the treatment of throat diseases, and it often becomes difficult to choose an effective remedy. So what drugs for dry cough will help during illness?
Why is a dry cough dangerous?
Before answering this question, you should understand the very nature of dry cough - what it is, what causes it and what treatment methods currently exist.
In itself, coughing during illness is an unconditioned reflex (that is, one that a person himself is not able to control).
Its essence is that the muscles surrounding the trachea begin to contract paroxysmally, blocking the access of air for 1-2 seconds, after which they suddenly relax.
The purpose of coughing is to expel irritants stagnant in the respiratory tract, which may be mucus, a foreign body, or an allergen deposited on the surface.
A dry cough often appears with inflammation of the upper respiratory tract
By its nature, cough is divided into:
Usually during an illness (especially in its final stages) a wet cough is observed. However, if proper treatment has not been carried out, a situation may arise that sputum does not separate. In this case, the cough becomes especially strong and painful.
A dry cough should not be left untreated - otherwise it will quickly become chronic. Subsequently, severe respiratory complications, as well as bronchitis and pneumonia, may develop.
If a dry cough is not treated, it can develop into bronchitis.
Causes
It often becomes quite difficult to answer this question, because a similar symptom can manifest itself in a large number of diseases. However, they may not necessarily be infectious.
A dry cough can be caused by:
- viruses;
- bacteria;
- allergy;
- foreign bodies.
Very often, an allergic cough is not accompanied by sputum production, so the first step is to exclude this option. This is quite easy to do. If a patient coughs paroxysmally, tears flow, swelling is observed, and when changing rooms the symptom disappears - most likely, this is a banal allergy. It should be treated with antihistamines.
Often the cause of cough is various bacteria
A cough also develops when foreign bodies enter the respiratory tract - dust particles, pollen and plant fluff, wood chips, and fragments. Even if a person does not have allergies, particles stuck in the throat can cause irritation, and subsequently severe inflammation, which will cause an unconditioned reflex. In this case, only removal of the foreign body, which should be carried out by a doctor, will help.
If the cause of the symptom is an illness, a good medicine taken in combination with other measures - compresses, warming, etc. will help eliminate it.
Treatment methods
Modern medicine has learned to effectively deal with the diseases themselves and their symptoms. Treatment of dry cough in adults can be carried out in a variety of ways:
- with the help of physiotherapy;
- home (folk) methods;
- pharmaceutical drugs.
There are many cough medications, just remember that a doctor must prescribe the medicine
Important: a professional should choose how to treat a dry cough. At the first manifestations of this symptom, it is best to call a doctor at home, who will understand its causes and prescribe the necessary medications and procedures.
Physiotherapy includes inhalations, poultices, compresses, massages. These are very effective ways to relieve a cough in the initial stages, however, if the patient has a fever, such procedures should be avoided.
Folk remedies are, first of all, decoctions based on herbs and medicinal plants (sage, coltsfoot, mint, wild rosemary and others), which help activate the processes of sputum secretion and remove mucus from the lower respiratory tract. Also, when fighting dry cough, cow's milk, butter, and honey are actively used.
Often, herbal decoctions and infusions are used to treat dry cough.
The most effective and rational method of treating such an unpleasant symptom as a dry cough is medication. Cough medicines are available in different forms - syrups, tablets, powders, capsules, etc. To select a drug, it is necessary to initially carry out a correct diagnosis - depending on the cause of the cough, the means to eliminate it may vary.
Types of medications to combat dry cough
If a dry cough is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, medications with a pronounced antiseptic effect are prescribed to help weaken pathogens. However, this is not enough to get rid of this symptom.
In general, drugs used to treat dry cough are divided into the following groups:
- expectorants;
- mucolytic;
Cough tablets are very different and differ in their principle of action
- anesthetics;
- combined.
Expectorants are the first thing that is prescribed to a patient with a severe dry cough. Its task in the body is to promote the separation of phlegm.
The mucus that settles on the walls of the trachea and in the bronchi must be removed from the body as quickly as possible, otherwise the symptom will not disappear.
Medicines that have an expectorant effect are the most effective against this disease. This is perhaps the best remedy for dry cough.
Mucolytic substances usually accompany treatment along with drugs that promote sputum removal. They reduce the viscosity of mucus, making it more actively separated from tissues. Mucolytics also promote sputum production. It is extremely important to keep the throat and lower respiratory tract moist to mitigate the negative effects of coughing.
There are many medications in pharmacies that will help alleviate the condition and transform a dry cough into a wet one.
Anesthetic drugs help relieve the cough itself. They reduce the sensitivity of the receptors responsible for this reflex and also dull pain.
When treating dry cough, drugs of different types are usually combined. Thanks to this, the greatest therapeutic effect is achieved. Properly prescribed medications will help eliminate the disease in 3-4 days.
Expectorants
Expectorants for dry cough are prescribed without fail. They act on the bronchial glands, causing them to secrete mucus. If the mucus content in the respiratory tract is low, they will ensure its production, and if the viscosity exceeds normal limits, they will be able to make it more diluted.
Attention: expectorants for dry coughs in adults cannot be combined with drugs that inhibit the cough reflex, otherwise the resulting mucus cannot be removed from the respiratory tract and stagnation will form.
Stoptussin mixture is an effective expectorant
Among the most effective expectorant drugs, it is worth noting the following:
- Bronholitin. The release form of this drug is syrup. Its action is based on the effect of two main components, ephedrine and glaucine. These substances, when entering the body, increase mucus production, have an anti-inflammatory effect, and dilate the bronchi for better mucus passage. The product should be taken according to the instructions.
- Stoptussin. It is also a syrup and has the same effect on the respiratory centers as the previous remedy.
- Mukaltin. A classic expectorant drug that our parents used. It is based on marshmallow extract, a medicinal plant that has the property of reducing the viscosity of mucus when coughing.
- Thermopsin. An inexpensive and effective remedy for dry and wet coughs in adults, which can be found and purchased at a pharmaceutical store. It contains a whole group of substances that affect the respiratory centers and promote the production of liquid mucus.
Mucaltin is a reliable and inexpensive remedy that can also be used for dry cough
You can also purchase special breast packs. They are made from natural herbs (coltsfoot, plantain, sage, thyme) and are good for coughing up mucus - do not underestimate natural remedies, which, moreover, do not affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and liver in any way, which cannot be said about tablets .
Mucolytic drugs
Sometimes, before removing mucus from the respiratory tract, it is necessary to reduce its viscosity. Special medications called mucolytics can make mucus more liquid. The substances included in their composition affect the secretion of the stomach and the work of a number of glands responsible for the secretion of sputum, diluting it to a state in which it can be easily expectorated.
Ambroxol thins mucus, easing the patient's condition
The following medications can be used for treatment:
- Ambroxol. In fact, the drug is a multi-purpose remedy that helps reduce the density of sputum and promotes expectoration. The product is sold quite inexpensively and is very popular for the treatment of respiratory diseases due to its effectiveness.
- Acetylcysteine. This medicine is better known by the abbreviation ACC and is produced in the form of soluble powder, sweet syrups, capsules or distributed in tablet form. Prescribed for acute and advanced forms of bronchitis, pneumonia, sore throat and other throat diseases. It has a mucolytic effect, making sputum more liquid and facilitating its removal from the body.
- Bromhexine. The active substance of this medicine, after entering the body, is modified and, through a series of chemical reactions, becomes ambroxol, which, as already mentioned, is extremely useful in the treatment of dry cough. At the moment, the drug is less popular and is rarely prescribed by doctors, but this fact does not negate its effectiveness.
- Libexin Muco. Containing the substance carbocisteine, this remedy is an excellent mucolytic and quickly thins sputum.
Libexin is considered an effective mucolytic that facilitates sputum discharge
It is worth noting that some mucolytic and expectorant drugs (for example, ACC) should not be taken at the same time as antibiotics and antipyretics; this significantly reduces the therapeutic effect of the latter, which can harm treatment.
Anesthetic drugs
Topical treatments are also successfully used to combat uncontrollable coughing. They help get rid of the main symptoms, relieve sore throat and fight the bacteria that caused the disease. However, you need to understand that such drugs themselves are not able to cure the disease and are only an addition to the main treatment.
List of main anesthetic drugs:
- Hexoral;
- Strepsils;
- Lugol;
- Inhalipt;
- Faringosept.
Inhalipt is an effective natural antiseptic
A medical professional will definitely tell you which medicine to choose in order to get rid of a dry cough as quickly as possible, so you should not neglect going to the clinic or calling a doctor at home. Self-medication can lead to complications that could be avoided by turning to specialists.
You will learn how to treat a dry cough in the following video:
Source: http://bolezni.com/stati-o-simptomax/kashel/effektivnoe-sredstvo-ot-suxogo-kashlya-u-vzroslyx.html
Which tablets to choose for dry cough in adults
A dry or unproductive cough can completely exhaust a sick person. The thing is that, unlike wet, it is not accompanied by sputum production and greatly irritates the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. This symptom occurs for several reasons:
- an allergic reaction of the body to any irritants - dust, pet hair, pollen, household detergents and cleaners;
- the initial stage of any infectious disease caused by exposure to pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi;
- penetration of foreign bodies into the respiratory tract that irritate the mucous membrane;
- side effect of taking any medications;
- helminthic infestations;
- gastroesophageal reflux;
- exposure to harmful and toxic substances, dry air or nicotine on the body.
Regardless of the reasons for which a dry cough occurs, it must be treated, since the symptom can lead to pain in the throat and chest, and the development of serious respiratory tract diseases.
In the vast majority of cases, experts prescribe tablets to patients that most effectively affect the cough center and nerve roots located in the bronchi. Mucolytic agents, which thin the mucus and simplify its removal, also help to increase the chances of successful treatment.
We will talk about all these drugs in as much detail as possible in this article.
What helps a child and an adult with a dry cough and which drug to choose
The main types of tablets that eliminate dry cough
All medications that can alleviate the patient’s condition with a debilitating dry cough, as well as suppress this unpleasant symptom, are divided into several types:
- narcotic drugs, examples of which include Hydrocodone, Codeine or Demorphan. They are able to completely block the cough reflex, but have a negative effect on the nervous system. In addition, this type of medicine causes drug addiction, so they are sold exclusively by prescription;
- Drugs that do not have any narcotic effects are completely freely dispensed. These include Glauvent, Sinekod, Tusuprex and others. They are very effective at the initial stage of the disease and cope well with dry cough;
- peripherally acting medications. These include the well-known Libexin or Helicidin, which act directly on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, eliminate bronchospasms, relax smooth muscles, allowing you to effectively fight cough;
- combination drugs. This group of drugs simultaneously relieves the inflammatory process, provides an excellent analgesic effect, and also promotes the separation of sputum. The most striking examples are Stoptussin or Bronholitin.
All of the above drugs actively suppress the cough center, so they should never be taken for a wet cough. They will interfere with the separation of sputum and cause serious harm to health.
We strongly recommend that you do not try to independently choose the best medicine for yourself to cure a dry cough. This should be done exclusively by an experienced doctor, focusing on the results of a medical examination and the individual characteristics of the body.
How to treat a dry cough in a baby with or without fever
Details about tablets for dry cough
In this section we will describe in detail the tablets prescribed for dry cough in adults in the vast majority of cases. Let's start with narcotic drugs that should never be taken by children, as well as women during pregnancy and lactation:
- Codeine. This is a natural-based analgesic that blocks the cough center for about 5-6 hours. It is at this time that the patient’s condition is significantly alleviated. Like other drugs, Codeine can be highly addictive. Taking large doses initially leads to a feeling of euphoria, which can subsequently turn into a depressive state;
- Caffetin is a caffeine-based drug. It also contains paracetamol and thermopsis herb extract, which ensures the combined effect of the medicine. The tablets not only block the cough center, but also relieve the inflammatory process, eliminate pain, and relieve the patient from chronic fatigue. An overdose can lead to increased excitability, lethargy, and serious allergic reactions;
- Demorphan. It acts in almost the same way as Codeine, but unlike it, it does not have an analgesic effect on the body. The drug blocks the cough center much more actively, which is why it is considered the most effective. Side effects: weakness, dizziness. Demorphan is prescribed for almost any respiratory tract disease to eliminate dry cough;
- Sinekod. An antitussive drug whose main active ingredient is butamirate citrate. It has a direct effect on the cough center, due to which it gives a minimum of side effects and effectively eliminates non-productive cough;
- Codelac. In addition to codeine, it also contains thermopsis extract and licorice root powder. Codelac is rightfully considered the safest of all narcotic drugs, since it does not inhibit the functioning of the respiratory system. Can be used to eliminate prolonged attacks of dry cough.
Experts usually prescribe narcotic drugs only in the most extreme cases. If the patient consults a doctor immediately after identifying a severe dry cough, then he is prescribed safer medications, which include:
- Libexin. It gives a lasting effect for 3-4 hours, perfectly relieves spasms, dilates the bronchi and eliminates even severe coughing attacks. However, it is not addictive, so it can be used to treat children over 12 years of age. Another important advantage of this medicine is the absence of any effect on the nervous system, complete safety for the heart and blood vessels;
- Glauvent. Quite effective tablets that completely block the cough center for some time. They do not depress the respiratory system, which minimizes the number of side effects. In the vast majority of cases, it is prescribed for the treatment of diseases that cause long-term debilitating coughing attacks;
- Oxeladine. This medicine can be used by smokers who suffer from bouts of barking cough in the morning. It is also prescribed to patients with respiratory diseases. The drug does not have a negative effect on the functioning of the respiratory system and does not cause drug dependence.
Which expectorant to choose for a dry cough
All of the above drugs quickly eliminate dry cough, but are quite expensive. That is why we have prepared for you a short review of quite affordable tablets that can have an equally effective effect:
- medications whose active ingredient is ambroxol (Ambrobene, Ambrohexal, Lazolvan and, in fact, Ambroxol itself). They have an effective mucolytic effect, dilute sputum and simplify its separation from the tissues of the respiratory organs. The expectorant effect of ambroxol is also widely known;
- Pectusin. One of the cheapest medicines created on a natural basis. It contains essential oils of mint and eucalyptus, as well as menthol. The drug relaxes the bronchi, has an effective softening effect, thanks to which you can quickly alleviate the condition of a patient suffering from a dry cough;
- an inexpensive drug that is called “Cough Tablets”. It is made from thermopsis grass and sodium bicarbonate. A large number of natural alkaloids allows it to act on phlegm, effectively dilute it and remove it from the respiratory tract. At the same time, the medicine can greatly irritate the vomiting center, which is why it produces side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and severe vomiting almost immediately after eating. The tablets should never be taken in combination with narcotic drugs.
Absolutely safe and relatively inexpensive natural-based medications that can be given even to young patients are Bromhexine (from 3 years), Falimint (from 5 years) and Sinupret. These drugs have a softening effect and contain extracts of medicinal herbs that do not depress the respiratory tract and nervous system.
Source: https://KashelSovet.ru/vidy/suhoj/kakie-tabletki-pri-suhom-kashle-u-vzroslyh-vybrat.html
For dry cough in adults - the best remedies and medications, what is more effective, what helps well, what to drink at home, what to drink
A dry cough is an unconditioned reflex designed to clear the airways of sputum, dust particles, pus, irritating substances or foreign bodies. It can be a symptom of many diseases that cause inflammation of the airways.
Most often it is a viral or bacterial infection. A dry cough can be productive when it helps clear the bronchi and trachea of contaminants.
If it is caused by irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, it turns into debilitating attacks, which are often worse at night.
Causes
Depending on the cause of the cough, it is important to make it productive or eliminate it. The choice of a specific drug depends on this.
A dry cough can be a symptom of many serious diseases - from viral infections to bronchial asthma, whooping cough and tuberculosis. Most often it is a sign of inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract caused by infection. In this case, the cough must be made productive, facilitating the discharge of sputum.
Before starting treatment for a dry cough, you need to accurately determine the cause of its occurrence.
Most often, a dry cough can be caused by diseases such as:
- laryngitis;
- tracheitis;
- ARVI;
- flu;
- pharyngitis;
- bronchitis;
- pleurisy;
- pneumonia.
A debilitating dry cough is a symptom of such serious problems as:
An unproductive dry cough may be a sign of diseases of the digestive system caused by irritation of the pharyngeal mucosa. Most often, this is gastroesophageal reflux disease, which causes constant irritation of the mucous membrane with gastric juice.
A non-productive dry cough can only go away completely when the cause is eliminated.
Another reason for attacks of dry cough is a foreign body in the esophagus or respiratory tract. It does not require drug treatment because it goes away immediately after the cause is removed.
Only an otolaryngologist can accurately determine the cause of a dry cough after conducting all the necessary studies.
Symptoms
Despite the fact that dry cough itself is a symptom of many health problems, it has its own characteristic features. The most common is a dry cough with sputum, as a symptom of an acute inflammatory process in the bronchi. Experts distinguish such characteristic subtypes of dry cough as:
- Paroxysmal. It occurs in the form of painful attacks that occur from time to time, accompanied by a burning sensation in the throat. It often provokes a gag reflex, accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
- Barking. Accompanied by a characteristic sound, as well as a “whistle” and painful shortness of breath. It can often lead to respiratory dysfunction and oxygen starvation of the brain.
- Chronic. It occurs from time to time and is difficult to treat. Quite often this can be a “smoker's cough”.
If the cough is caused by an infectious inflammation of the respiratory tract, it may be accompanied by fever, runny nose, sore throat or sore throat. In this case, it does not last more than 8 - 10 days. If it continues for more than a week, you should consult a specialist.
A dry cough with allergic rhinitis may be accompanied by itching and shortness of breath.
Source: https://drLOR.online/diagnostika-lechenie/kashel/sredstva-ot-suxogo-dlya-vzroslyx-bystro-i-effektivno.html