Cough suppressants
Synonyms in a broader sense
Tussis, irritable cough, irritated throat
engl .: to cough
Prescription cough suppressants
There are both prescription cough suppressants and preparations that do not require a prescription. The prescription drugs tend to be more effective and are used for severe irritating coughs.
This group includes, for example Codeine and Dihydrocodeinewhich, however, are potentially addictive and have many side effects.
Also Capval is one of the prescription cough suppressants, even if this drug is not potentially addictive.
Therapy of cough
The Therapy of cough depends solely on the underlying disease. In the vast majority of cases, coughing is treated symptomatically, i.e. one does not treat the cause, but rather tries to weaken the urge to cough and to remove accompanying symptoms.
The reason is that in many cases the cause is initially unknown, the examination procedures are too expensive and time-consuming and the patient initially shows the clinical picture of a simple infection. As symptomatic therapy, expectorant drugs (ACC) or cough suppressants (Codeine) are given. Under no circumstances should both be given at the same time, as one drug loosens the phlegm and the other stimulates the cough / cough is suppressed, resulting in a dangerous Congestion of mucus in the bronchi and in the lung can lead. When fever can therapy with aspirin, Paracetamol or Ibuprofen respectively. Otherwise, patients with a suspected simple upper airway infection should be given bed rest.
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Also can Steam baths and Inhalationsthat humidify the air you breathe can be very helpful. These steam rooms can be used with either chamomile or salt perform and should repeat them regularly. In immunocompromised patients with severe comorbidities and in elderly patients, use immediately Antibiotics be treated. Since the causative pathogen is not known at first, it should be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Even patients whose general condition has deteriorated or who have a suspicion based on examination lung infection should be treated with an antibiotic as soon as possible. In some cases it is necessary to refer the patient to a clinic for inpatient treatment for pneumonia.
Patients who, because of a chronic cough become conspicuous and in whom a lung disease has been determined, after the diagnosis has been confirmed with mostly lifelong drug combinations and possibly live with oxygen devices (COPD, Emphysema). With malignant Diseases of the lungs, which can cause chronic and recurring infections, either surgery (non-small cell lung cancer) or one chemotherapy be tried with accompanying radiation. Patients who have had a recurring reflux disease to cough can be treated with so-called acid inhibitors of the stomach. It is important for all smoking patients with chronic cough (Smoking catarrh) strongly recommend to give up smoking. By Allergies coughing can be prevented with the help of histamine blockers (Antihistamines) or through cortisone trying to treat.
Capval®
Capval® is a drug with the active ingredient noscapine, which is used to treat cough is used. Since, in contrast to the irritable cough suppressant drug codeine, there is no potential for addiction, this drug can be used in babies from 6 months of age.
Possible side effects are a headache and Drowsiness.
However, this occurs much less often than with the preparation codeine. When driving vehicles, attention should be paid to how the drug will affect.
Capval® requires a prescription. It suppresses the urge to cough in the brain and is in most cases taken in the form of juice, but can also be taken as drops or tablets. The juice should be taken 3 times a day after each meal. If the irritable cough persists for more than two weeks, the cause should be further clarified by the doctor.
Capval® should not be used during pregnancy as there is insufficient information on possible effects on the baby. However, the drug can be used during breastfeeding, as only very small amounts are excreted in breast milk and the baby is unlikely to be endangered.
You can find out more about this here: Capval®
Codeine
Codeine is an opiate and is used as a cough suppressant for dry coughs, such as those associated with a cold or bronchitis. The drug is prescribed by doctors for very strong, dry cough. In addition, codeine is used as a combination preparation with, for example, paracetamol as a pain reliever.
Codeine works directly in the brain, where it suppresses the coughing stimulus. However, since codeine has a relatively large number of side effects and is highly addictive, it requires a prescription and can only be taken for a short period of time.
Side effects include tiredness, drowsiness, and decreased responsiveness. Therefore, no vehicle should be driven while taking codeine.
It can also cause constipation, nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth. Since codeine affects the respiratory center in the brain, a reduced respiratory drive is also one of the side effects. Therefore, codeine should not be taken in the event of respiratory failure or an asthma attack.
Medication containing codeine should also not be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as this can lead to deformities in the child and dependence on the baby. In most cases, the drug is taken as drops or juice, but codeine is also available in tablet form.
You can read detailed information on this topic here:
- Codeine
- Chocolate for coughs
Instructions for use in children
Cough suppressants can be used in children who have a strong dry cough in the wake of a cold or a bronchitis suffer and who for this reason cannot sleep peacefully at night.
What is important is that one cough and no so-called productive cough, i.e. cough with sputum. If a cough suppressant is used for a productive cough, the coughing up of the mucus is prevented and this can be deposited on the bronchi. If the dry cough is not too strong, treatment with naturally effective preparations can first be tried in children, for example with Ribwort plantain or Sundew.
Cough syrups made with these preparations are suitable for babies from 6 months. If the dry cough is more pronounced and the natural preparations do not have sufficient effect, then you can Codeine or Capval used in children. However, codeine should only be used in children aged 12 years and over due to the reduced respiratory drive, whereas Capval can be used in infants aged 6 months and over.
Due to the relatively high side effects, therapy with cough suppressants in children should not be longer than 2 days.
