Dorothy FarrarAntitussive
An antitussive (cough suppressant, cough blocker) helps against a dry, irritating cough. It dampens and relieves the urge to cough. There are both prescription and non-prescription versions. In addition, there are some home remedies that can also calm the urge to cough.
What are antitussives?
Antitussives are medications that treat a dry, dry cough. The term comes from Latin and is made up of the words Tussis for cough and anti for against. Antitussives are also known as cough suppressants. They are usually administered in the form of cough syrup . This is based either on a sugar syrup or on an alcoholic solution . Cough suppressants are also available as tablets or drops. More potent antitussives require a prescription, while other slightly weaker drugs are available without a prescription. The cough suppressants ensure that the cough is dampened or completely suppressed. However, different antitussives do this in different ways.
Effect and medical application
Antitussives are usually only used to treat a dry, dry cough. They suppress the urge to cough and thus also counteract any pain that can occur with a dry cough. A dry cough is often at the beginning of a cold and then changes over time to a cough with mucus. If you cough up mucus, it is important to cough up the phlegm. If this does not happen and the mucus remains in the throat, it forms a good breeding ground for bacteria there .
This encourages further infections . Cough suppressants prevent the essential expectoration of mucus and should therefore only be taken with a dry cough. Only before sleeping can it make sense to take antitussives, even if you have a mucous cough, if sleep is otherwise disturbed too much. In the case of a mucous cough, expectorants, also known as cough relievers, are used. Antitussives and expectorants should never be taken together as they have opposite effects. In addition to antitussives with pharmaceutical active ingredients, there are also medicines with herbal active ingredients.
shapes and groups
Prescription antitussives include drugs containing codeine (Codyl®) and dihydrocodeine (Paracodein®). These act on the central nervous system and suppress the urge to cough in the cough center of the brain. However, they also have a sedative effect and reduce the drive to breathe. Therefore, these cough suppressants must not be used in lung diseases such as asthma . In addition, both active ingredients are chemically related to opium, which is why they have the potential for addiction and have a sedative effect. For this reason, you should no longer drive a car after taking it, since the poorer ability to react can lead to accidents.
The active ingredient dextromethorphan (Hustenstiller-ratiopharm®) is used in pharmaceutical non-prescription cough suppressants. This is chemically similar to codeine and dihydrocodeine, but has only a low risk of dependency. In addition, the ability to react is less affected. In contrast to the active ingredients that require a prescription, it does not dampen the urge to cough as much and still allows the important coughing up.
dosage
In order for the antitussives to fight the cough effectively, they should be taken several times a day. Cough suppressants with the active ingredients codeine and dihydrocodeine in particular should not be used longer than necessary, as there is a high potential for dependency. In general, the instructions of the prescribing doctor should be listened to. For over-the-counter medicines, the pharmacist should be consulted or the package insert should be followed. Under no circumstances should the dosage of the antitussives be changed arbitrarily, because side effects can occur, especially if the dose is too high. The prescribed frequency of intake should also be observed. If in doubt or if you have any questions, you should always consult a doctor or pharmacist .
Herbal, natural and pharmaceutical alternatives
Of course, there are also herbal alternatives to pharmaceutical antitussives. Cough suppressants with herbal ingredients use the effects of plantain ( Tetesept Husten Saft®), Iceland moss (Isla-Moos-Pastillen®), coltsfoot or marshmallow . These do not affect the brain, but place a film of mucus on the airways. The irritated respiratory mucous membranes are soothed and the cough relieved. Of course, cough syrup can also be made by yourself. A proven household remedy, for example, is a syrup made from onions and sugar, which can be easily made at home.
Moisturizing the air you breathe by inhaling can also be helpful in relieving the urge to cough. You can either use a saline solution for this or you can add essential oils to the water . For example, eucalyptus oil , peppermint oil or menthol can be used. It is important for both methods that the water is as hot as possible. This alternative to antitussives is not suitable for small children and asthmatics, as it can cause irritation and shortness of breath.
Interactions and side effects
Side effects can occur, especially with pharmaceutical antitussives. Drugs with codeine and dihydrocodeine impair the ability to react due to their sedative effect. They can also induce fatigue and cause constipation at higher doses . They should not be taken together with alcohol, sleeping pills and antihistamines . This can lead to interactions. Dextromethorphan can also trigger fatigue.
It can also cause dizziness , nausea and vomiting . In addition, the active ingredient can cause stomach and intestinal problems and cause skin problems such as itching . The herbal antitussives can usually be taken without hesitation. However, incompatibilities of individual ingredients should of course be taken into account.
In general, antitussives should never be taken together with expectorants, as their effects cancel each other out. Also in order to clarify possible side effects, the package insert of the respective drug should always be observed before taking it. The drug may not be suitable for some groups of people. For example, the antitussive may not be suitable for pregnant women and the chronically ill.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.