Prospan
What is Prospan®?
Prospan® is a herbal drug with expectorant, bronchodilator and bronchodilator effects, which is used to support respiratory diseases such as coughing with slimy sputum. It is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Engelhard Arzneimittel, founded in Frankfurt am Main in 1872.
The medicine is made from dry ivy leaf extract and is sold in the pharmacy without a prescription in the various dosage forms cough syrup, cough liquid, cough lozenge, cough effervescent tablets and cough drops.
The cough syrup contains e.g. in 100 ml 0.7 g dry extract of ivy leaves (5-7.5: 1).
application
Prospan® is used in supportive Treatment of chronic inflammatory bronchial diseases such as chronic bronchitis or COPD.
In the case of acute inflammation of the airways with coughing and mucous sputum, a sole Treatment attempt with the dry extract should be tried.
It should no ivy leaves consumed and never the berries of the ivy plant! These contain the poisonous Hederin. With a dry ivy extract from the pharmacy you get a safe medicine that also guarantees the use in the correct dosage.
Mode of action
Like any herbal medicinal product, ivy (Latin: Hedera helix) contains a number of substances that are difficult to understand and have an effect on the organism. The main active ingredients in dry ivy extract are on the one hand Triterpene saponins (Hederasaponins B to I).
Also are Polyacetylenes, Caffeic acid derivatives and Flavonoids effective ingredients that all have a wide range of effects by themselves. Therefore, the effect of dry extract can only be explained in the interaction of the various ingredients.
In general, the effect of Prospan® can be described as antispasmodic, expectorant and antibacterial describe.
The contained therein work in detail Saponins when taken in stomach on the Vagus nerve. This mediates the expulsion of mucus from the airways. The good effect of these substances has been shown in several high-quality studies (randomized and double-blind) in chronic obstructive bronchitis.
When should Prospan® not be used?
With existing allergy Prospan® must not be used against the medicinally active ingredient or any of the other ingredients.
At Pregnant women and Breastfeeding the drug should not be used if possible. It is related to this no sufficient examinations.
There are no Indications of impaired driving ability.
In principle, after consultation with the doctor, Prospan® cough syrup can be added Infants be given from the first day of life. It contains neither alcohol nor sugar. After the first year of life, it is safe to use.
If the symptoms persist, breathlessness occurs, or purulent or bloody sputum occurs, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
Side effects
Very rarely does it happen allergic reactions (Difficulty breathing, swelling, reddening of the skin, itching).
Occur in less than 1 in 100 cases Gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. The ingredient Sorbitol may have a laxative effect.
A doctor should be consulted in the event of side effects.
Interactions
There were no Interaction studies conducted. However, the risk for drug interactions is considered low estimated.
However, the doctor should be informed about the use of Prospan® when prescribing other drugs.
Alternative herbal medicines
There are a number of similar ivy-based herbal medicines available. These include, to name just a few, e.g. Bronchofit ivy + cough mite® from the company Hübner Naturarzneimittel GmbH), Bronchial tone®Lutschpastil (Winthrop Arzneimittel GmbH), Bronchostad® cough remover (Stadativa GmbH), Ivy 1A Pharma® cough syrup, Hedelix® cough syrup (Krewel Meuselbach GmbH), Sinuc® (HEXAL AG).
In the case of respiratory diseases, however, other alternative drugs are also used individually, such as thyme- and Eucalyptus extracts (Active ingredient: cineole).
Other medicinal uses of ivy
Ivy doesn't just look different Respiratory diseases applied. So had Hippocrates, the "father of medicine" (460 to 370 BC), recognized the general healing properties of ivy.
Doctors and monks from southern French provinces revived the old knowledge in the Middle Ages and up to the 16th century and recognized that people who drank their milk from a bowl made of ivy wood or who ate their milk from ivy wood spoons got fewer respiratory diseases.
In the course of medical history, the plant has been used for all sorts of problems. You help Osiander e.g. against corns. According to Janson, it is a good wound medicine. Bock and Matthiolus conjured up their stone-driving effect (Gallstones). Schulz describes in 1921 a vasodilator and heartbeat lowering effect, as well as a destruction of the red blood cells (Hemolysis).
By influencing the Vessels explains the popular application Menstrual cramps and chronic respiratory catarrh (inflammation of the mucous membranes). It also has a sweat-inducing and fever-reducing effect.
Ivy can also be used externally. Ivy compresses or ivy poultices can be applied to wounds, ulcers or pain. Alternatively, ivy can be used as a bath additive.
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