Coughing occurs in babies quite often, so many mothers are interested in effective medications that help get rid of this symptom and at the same time have a minimum of side effects. Herbal expectorants, for example, "Alteika", meet these requirements. To make little patients take this drug with pleasure, manufacturers offer a sweet-tasting syrup.
Release form and composition
The medicine is a yellowish-brown liquid with a thick consistency and a peculiar aromatic odor.
To prevent the syrup from losing its beneficial properties under the influence of sunlight, it is sold in a dark glass bottle. During storage, a slight sediment may appear in the syrup, but this does not affect its effectiveness.
One bottle contains 100 or 200 ml of medicine, and for accurate dosing, a measuring spoon is inserted into the package.
The component, due to which "Alteika" has medicinal properties, in such a preparation is a dry extract obtained from the marshmallow root. In terms of active substances, every 5 milliliters of syrup contains it in a dose of 7.5 mg. The auxiliary ingredients differ from manufacturer to manufacturer: among them there are sugar, methylparaben, citric acid, 96% ethanol and other compounds.
We also note that Alteika is also available in tablets that are recommended to be chewed. They have a grayish-brown color and a round shape, and the active ingredient is also a dry extract of marshmallow at a dose of 100 or 120 mg per tablet. In childhood, this form of medication is used from 3 years old in the same cases when syrup is used.
Operating principle
Marshmallow roots, which are raw materials for making "Alteyka", contain many polysaccharides, starch, amino acids and pectins. These compounds are able to reflexively stimulate the work of the salivary and bronchial glands, which contributes to the formation of phlegm. At the same time, such properties of the secret as adhesiveness and viscosity are normalized, and the activity of the ciliated epithelium and smooth muscles increases, which makes it easier to cough up mucus.
Besides, marshmallow extract envelops the mucous membrane, reducing the activity of inflammation and accelerating the regeneration of damaged tissues. This effect of the syrup is in demand not only for bronchial damage, but also for the inflammatory process in the digestive tract.
Vitamins, oils, trace elements and other valuable compounds contained in the medication also promote elimination of nervousness, improvement of appetite and sleep of a sick child.
Indications
Most often, "Alteika" is used for various diseases of the respiratory system, if their symptom is a cough - both dry and unproductive wet.
This syrup is prescribed for children with tracheitis, bronchitis or laryngitis. In addition, it can be included in the treatment of whooping cough, bronchial asthma and other pathologies.
The drug is also in demand for some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, for example, if a child has a peptic ulcer, gastritis with high acidity, enterocolitis or esophagitis.
From what age is it used?
Usually manufacturers do not recommend giving "Alteyk" to children under two years old, but in the annotation to some syrups it is noted that such a remedy can be used even in infants. Indeed, the doctor can prescribe this medication to babies in the first years of life, but it is not worth giving it without consulting a specialist (especially to a baby under one year old).
Limitations for young patients are associated with insufficient maturity of their immune and digestive systems, which increases the risk of a negative reaction to plant extracts. The use of "Alteika" in infants must be supervised by a pediatrician.
Contraindications
- There are few restrictions on the use of such a tool. Alteika is not used in patients with hypersensitivity to marshmallow extract or any excipient.
- The syrup should not be used for diabetes mellitus, since the composition of the liquid form of this drug includes sugar.
There are no other contraindications for treatment with such a remedy.
Side effects
Sometimes the child's body reacts to Alteika with an allergic reaction, increased production of saliva or uncomfortable stomach symptoms.
If these side effects occur, you should stop using the syrup and consult a doctor.
Instructions for use
Before giving "Alteyk" to a child, you need to shake the contents of the bottle so that the sediment dissolves. If the composition contains ethyl alcohol, then the dose prescribed by the doctor is additionally diluted in boiled water, taken in a volume of 10-15 ml.
The tool is used before meals in the following single doses:
- if the baby is from two to six years old - 5 ml;
- if the child is 6-14 years old, then 10 ml per appointment;
- if the medicine is prescribed to a teenager over 14 years old, then 15 ml.
The frequency of taking the drug is 4-6 times a day, and the duration of treatment is from 7 to 14 days.
To find out more precisely how often to drink "Alteyka" and how long it takes to take the syrup for a particular little patient, you need to ask your pediatrician.
If the doctor considers it appropriate to use such a medication in a child under two years old, then the drug is used according to the following scheme:
- babies of the first year of life are given 2.5 ml of medicine once or twice a day;
- a child aged from one to two years "Alteika" is given in the same single dose, but three or four times a day.
Overdose and drug interactions
With the use of an increased dose of syrup, severe nausea or an attack of vomiting may occur. A child with an overdose is advised to give a lot of drink and, if required, induce vomiting, and then give some kind of sorbent.
If the child is taking any antitussive drugs (drugs that inhibit the cough reflex), the simultaneous administration of Alteika is contraindicated. It is permissible to combine such a syrup with any other drugs.
Terms of sale and storage
The drug belongs to non-prescription drugs, so there are no difficulties with its purchase. The price of a bottle is influenced by both the volume of the drug and the manufacturer.
After the first use, the medicine is recommended to be refrigerated and must be used within 14 days.
Until the bottle is opened, Alteika can be stored at room temperature. Sealed syrup usually has a shelf life of 2 or 3 years.
Reviews
The use of "Alteyka" in children with an unproductive cough is generally answered positively. Mothers praise such a drug for its natural basis, affordable cost, fairly quick action in case of respiratory diseases and a pleasant taste. But many parents attribute the high sugar content to the disadvantages of this syrup.
Among the minuses, the appearance of an allergic reaction is also sometimes mentioned, due to which it was necessary to cancel the drug and look for a replacement for it. At the same time, most children like Alteyka and do not cause any side effects.
Analogs
Alteyka Syrup can become a full-fledged substitute for Alteyka in the form of syrup. It has similar characteristics, the same indications and possible side effects.
Other analogues of "Alteyka" are:
- "Gedelix";
- "Prospan";
- "Licorice syrup";
- Linkas;
- Doctor Theiss;
- "Gerbion";
- "Pectolvan Ivy";
- "Bronchicum C";
- "Tussamag";
- Bronchipret.
All these preparations are herbal remedies that act on the respiratory tract due to extracts from ivy, plantain, thyme, licorice, primrose and other useful plants. Such medicines are presented in the form of syrups and solutions, therefore they do not cause protest in babies. Many of them can be given even to infants, but a suitable analogue should be selected only with a doctor.
