Dry cough usually appears at the initial stage of catarrhal and viral respiratory diseases, and, depending on the type of infection and the state of immunity, can have a different intensity - from insignificant, to debilitating, difficult sleep and normal vital activity.
However, this symptom is not always caused by infectious factors, but can be associated with diseases of the digestive system, cardiac pathologies, oncology, allergic reactions, etc. Therefore, for the treatment of dry cough in adults to be effective, before taking any medication for an unpleasant manifestation, it is best to consult a doctor, diagnose and establish its nature.
Than to treat a dry cough in an adult, what medicines to take?
Depending on the causes of dry cough in adults, the list of medications to relieve uncomfortable symptoms may vary significantly. So, if cough is caused by allergic reactions, antihistamines or hormonal drugs are prescribed, under the influence of which inflammation is eliminated, and, consequently, the cough reflex itself. In this case, it is also important to identify and eliminate the allergen.
Dry cough with infections of the respiratory tract is called unproductive, tk. it is not accompanied by the release of sputum, with the help of which the causative agents of the infection and their toxins are eliminated from the body. Therefore, in such cases, the main principle of treatment is to transfer dry cough to wet, with well-excreted sputum. For this, mainly non-medicament methods are used:
- abundant warm drink;
- moisturizing the mucous membranes of the respiratory system;
- Stay in clean cool air.
If the dry cough is constant, intense, its cause is difficult to eliminate, and it causes significant sleep disorders, bronchospasm , urinary incontinence and other pathological symptoms, antitussives are prescribed to alleviate the condition of the patient. The mechanisms of action of such medications are different: some depressing effect on the cough center in the brain, others reduce the sensitivity of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract to irritants, interrupt the signals from the affected mucosa to the brain. Antitussive drugs include:
- Paxelidine;
- Libexin;
- Tusuprex;
- Dextromethorphan;
- Glaouwent et al.
Also, with dry cough, combined preparations can be recommended, which, in addition to the antitussive component, contain other medicinal substances in their composition. For example:
- Stoptussin is a medicine containing butamirate citrate, which has an antitussive effect, and also guaifenesin, which has secretory and secretory
properties (activate sputum excretion and promote its excretion). - Broncholitin - contains glaucine hydrobromide, which exerts a depressant effect on the cough center, the compound ephedrine hydrochloride, dilates the lumen of bronchial tubes, as well as basil oil, which has a sedative, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect, etc.
Which drug is best for dry cough for an adult?
Given that the aforementioned antitussive drugs have many contraindications and side effects, under no circumstances can they be used alone. Therefore, considering what medicines to take when dry cough in adults, you should choose not the most inexpensive and affordable, not advertised and recommended by friends who have had similar symptoms, but only those that the doctor will appoint.