Bromhexine is one of the most popular drugs prescribed for respiratory diseases. If a medicine containing bromhexine is prescribed for children, then its liquid forms are preferred, for example, syrup or solution. This Bromhexine is produced by many pharmaceutical companies. From what age is it permissible to use it, is it possible to give this medicine up to a year, how to properly dose Bromhexine syrup and how, if necessary, can it be replaced?
Manufacturers and release form
Bromhexine for children in liquid form is represented by the following drugs:
- A solution of the German production "Bromhexin 4 Berlin Chemie". This clear apricot solution is sold in 60 and 100 ml bottles. Each 5 ml of the drug gives the patient 4 mg of bromhexine.
- Syrup, which is produced by the Russian company Pharmstandard Leksredstva. 5 ml of such a drug contains 4 mg of the active compound, and one package contains 100 ml of syrup.
- A solution from the domestic manufacturer Atoll. It is an oral liquid containing the active ingredient in 5 ml of a solution at a dose of 4 mg. The medication is presented in bottles of 60 and 100 ml.
- Syrup from the Russian manufacturer Rozpharm. It is available in two dosages (4 mg and 8 mg of the active ingredient) and is available in 50 and 100 ml vials.
- A solution from the Indian company Simpex Pharma. This formulation contains 4 mg of active compound per 5 ml and is sold in 100 ml vials.
- Syrup from the Latvian company Grindex. This medicine contains 4 mg of the active ingredient in 5 ml of syrup and is packaged in 100 ml bottles.
- A solution produced by Nycomed from Denmark. The concentration of the active ingredient in such a medicine is 4 mg per 5 ml. Solution bottles are presented in different capacities - 60, 100 and 150 ml.
- Syrup "Bromhexine-Akrikhin". It is represented by a 100 ml bottle containing 4 mg of active substance for every 5 ml of the drug.
Composition
The main component, thanks to which any Bromhexine has a therapeutic effect, is bromhexine hydrochloride.
Excipients differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, so they should be specified in the annotation for a specific medicine, especially if the child has an intolerance to any substances or a tendency to allergies.
For example, syrup can include flavors, sorbitol, hydrochloric acid, propylene glycol, ethanol, and other compounds.
Operating principle
Bromhexine is classified as a drug with a mucolytic effect, since its main component liquefies mucoprotein and mucopolysaccharide fibers in sputum. As a result of this action of bromhexine, the viscosity of the sputum decreases, and its volume increases. This causes the expectorant effect of the drug, thanks to which the medication helps to get rid of cough. Also, bromhexine is noted for the ability to improve the formation of a surfactant.
Indications
Pediatricians prescribe Bromhexine for pathologies of the respiratory system, in which a viscous and difficult to separate secret is formed in the bronchi.
The drug is in demand when:
- Acute bronchitis.
- Chronic bronchitis.
- Pneumonia.
- Tracheobronchitis.
- Bronchiectasis.
- Bronchial asthma.
- Cystic fibrosis.
- Tuberculosis.
At what age is it allowed to take
Pediatricians prescribe Bromhexine from birth, however, without supervision from a specialist, it is impossible to give such a medicine to children in the first two years of life. Bromhexine for a baby at the age of 6 months or 1 year should be prescribed only by a doctor.
Contraindications
The drug should not be given to children with hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients. Also, Bromhexine in syrup is not used for exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease. If the child has liver or kidney pathologies, the appointment of Bromhexine requires the increased attention of the doctor.
Side effects
- Taking Bromhexine syrup can cause symptoms of dyspepsia, as well as temporarily increase the activity of liver enzymes.
- The medicine sometimes causes dizziness as well as headache.
- The consequence of treatment with Bromhexine is the appearance of a rash on the skin, as well as increased sweating.
- The respiratory system in rare cases can react to the drug with bronchospasm or increased cough, therefore, Bromhexine is prescribed very carefully for asthma.
Instructions for use
Bromhexine is taken orally in such a single dosage:
If the doctor sees the need, he can increase such a single dose to 16 mg.
The medicine is drunk three times a day. Meals do not affect its absorption, so such a drug can be taken both after meals and during or before meals.
The duration of use is determined individually, but the minimum time for taking Bromhexine is 4 days, and the maximum is 4 weeks.
Instructions for the drug "Bromhexin 4 Berlin Chemi":
Overdose
An unnecessarily large dose of Bromhexine syrup provokes nausea and other digestive problems. If an overdose is detected within 1-2 hours after taking the medicine, it is recommended to induce vomiting and give the little patient more liquid.
Interaction with other drugs
Treatment with Bromhexine can be combined with the use of bronchodilators, antibacterials and many other agents. It is not recommended to combine such a medicine with medicines that inhibit the cough reflex. The child's body can respond to such a combination of drugs with stagnation of mucus in the respiratory tract.
Terms of sale
Bromhexine preparations in the form of a solution or syrup are sold in the pharmacy as an over-the-counter drug. The price of Bromhexine depends on the manufacturer, for example, 60 ml of solution from Berlin-Chemie costs about 170 rubles, 100 ml of syrup from Grindeks costs 130 rubles, and for 150 ml of Bromhexin Nycomed solution you need to pay an average of 150 rubles.
Storage conditions and shelf life
The place in which the Bromhexine syrup should be stored should be dry, hidden from small children and from sunlight. The shelf life of the drug can be 3 years or more, provided that the drug is not opened. If the bottle is opened, such a period for liquid Bromhexine may be shortened, so this information should be clarified from the annotation for a specific medicine.
Reviews
Parents who gave Bromhexine in syrup to children with dry cough caused by increased viscosity of sputum, note the high effectiveness of such a remedy. In their reviews, they confirm that the cough after taking Bromhexine becomes more productive and this helps to recover faster.
Mothers note that the drug is generally well tolerated, and the taste of the syrup does not cause rejection in most children.
Digestive problems and allergies to Bromhexine, judging by the reviews, are very rare. If the child has dyspepsia, then after the drug is discontinued, all negative phenomena quickly disappear.
Analogs
You can replace Bromhexine with Bronchostop or Bronchotil. The main component of such syrups is also bromhexine, which contains 4 mg in 5 ml of each product.
Also, the pediatrician may prescribe multicomponent medicines that include bromhexine, for example, Ascoril, Kashnol or Jocet syrups. The composition of such medicines includes a combination of bromhexine and salbutamol, supplemented with guaifenesin and menthol.
Medications based on ambroxol, for example, AmbroHEXAL, Ambrobene or Lazolvan, are considered a good substitute for Bromhexine. Also, plant syrups containing extracts from ivy, plantain, marshmallow, licorice, thyme, primrose and other plants can be prescribed for a child's cough.
