Cough, runny nose, sore throat and other unpleasant symptoms that manifest influenza and ARVI can be eliminated with the help of the Vicks Active line of products from the well-known Procter & Gamble company. They are represented by several drugs designed specifically to combat colds and flu.
Features:
The most popular of all the medicines included in the Vicks line is "Vicks Active Balsam"... This topically applied ointment helps to relieve coughs and nasal congestion and relieve sore throat. In children, "Balsam" can be used for rubbing from 2 years old.
Its main ingredients are camphor, turpentine oil, levomenthol and eucalyptus oil. Additionally, the preparation includes cedar oil, white paraffin and thymol to obtain a white-yellowish aromatic ointment. The product is sold in packs of 25 grams. and 50 gr.
However, in a series of preparations "Vicks Active" there are other, no less effective means.
- "Vicks Active Sinex"... This vasoconstrictor spray is used from the age of 6. It is sold in glass vials containing 15 ml of a colorless transparent liquid. The active component of the solution is oxymetazoline at a concentration of 0.05%, and the auxiliary substances are benzalkonium chloride, aloe vera, sodium citrate, cineole and other compounds.
- "Vicks Active Expectomed"... The action of this mucolytic in the form of effervescent tablets causes acetylcysteine. Tablets containing 200 mg of such a substance are prescribed for children over 2 years old, and a drug with a dosage of 600 mg - from 14 years old. The medicine is sold in plastic cases containing 10–20 round white-yellow tablets that smell like lemon. Among their inactive ingredients are povidone, citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, aspartame, and so on.
- "Vicks Active AmbroMed"... This expectorant is sold in bottles containing 120 ml of strawberry-flavored syrup. Its main component is ambroxol at a dosage of 15 mg / 5 ml, and the auxiliary ingredients are flavor, sorbitol, propylene glycol and other compounds. The doctor can prescribe it to a child of any age.
- "Vicks Active Symptomax Plus"... The effect of such a drug on cold symptoms is associated with a combination of paracetamol, guaifenesin and phenylephrine. The medication is produced in portioned sachets packed in a box of 5-10 pieces. The contents of the sachet are a white-yellow powder that smells like menthol and lemon. The drug can be given to children over 12 years old. Recently, the manufacturer changed its name to Vicks AntiInfluenza Complex, that is, it is one and the same medicine.
- "Vicks Active Symptomax"... This sachet powder, also called Vicks AntiFlu Max, contains paracetamol and phenylephrine, but is not used in childhood.
Indications
The reason for prescribing Vicks Active Balsam for a child is inflammation in the airways, in which there is a feeling of nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat and cough. Sinex is prescribed for any type of rhinitis or sinusitis, and Expectomed tablets or AmbroMed syrup are prescribed for respiratory diseases, when the sputum is very viscous and poorly separated. SymptoMax Plus bags are used to reduce body temperature, eliminate chills, body aches, coughs, fever, headache and other symptoms of acute respiratory infections.
Contraindications
The use of "Vicks Active Balsam" is prohibited for whooping cough and bronchial asthma. Do not apply the drug to the skin if the surface is damaged or inflamed. Such a medication is not used if the baby has a false croup or has a tendency to broncho- or laryngospasm. It is also not prescribed if the cough is wet or chronic.
Spray "Sinex" is not used for atrophy of the nasal mucosa, hypersensitivity and angle-closure glaucoma. Vicks Active Expectomed and AmbroMed are contraindicated in children with phenylketonuria and gastrointestinal ulcer.
The use of "Symptomax Plus" is prohibited in severe liver pathologies, diabetes mellitus and in some other cases.
Side effects
When using Vicks Active Balsam, an allergic reaction, bronchial spasm, severe lacrimation, skin redness at the site of treatment or laryngospasm may occur. With all these symptoms, you should immediately wash off the ointment from the skin and stop treatment.
After spraying the Sinex medicine, you may experience dryness or burning in the nose, sneezing, a feeling of congestion, swelling of the mucous membrane. Expectomed tablets and AmbroMed syrup can cause allergies or unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms. After taking a diluted "Symptomax Plus", you may experience nausea, dizziness, poor appetite and other negative symptoms.
Instructions for use
The route of administration, treatment regimen and dosage depend on the medication used.
- Rubbing in "Vicks Active Balsam" is recommended twice - four times a day... If the baby has a stuffy nose or a runny nose, then the agent is applied to the chest. For sore throat and cough, rub the ointment into the neck. In addition, if the child is coughing, medication can be rubbed on the back. Duration of application of "Balsam" - up to 5 days.
- Vicks Active Sinex is sprayed into the nasal passages 2-3 times during the day... If the child is 6 to 10 years old, then the medicine is injected into each nostril with one press, and for patients over 10 years old, 1-2 injections are recommended. When using the spray, you should not throw your head back or lie down. The course of treatment should not exceed 7 days.
- "Expectomed" is taken after meals... The tablet dissolves in one glass of water, and the resulting solution must be drunk immediately. The medicine is given 2-3 times during the day in such a daily dose: 200-300 mg for children 2-6 years old, 400 mg for children 6-14 years old and 400-600 mg for patients over 14 years old.
- Children under two years old are given "AmbroMed" 7.5 mg twice a day... If the child is from 2 to 5 years old, then the product should be used in the same single dosage, but three times a day. From the age of five, syrup is prescribed at 15 mg, and it is given twice - three times a day.
- "Vicks Active Symptomax Plus" is used 1 sachet every 4-6 hoursbut a maximum of four times a day. To dissolve one powder, use 250 ml of hot water. The remedy is given no more than 5 days in a row.
Terms of sale
All preparations of Vicks Active are non-prescription drugs, so they are sold in pharmacies without any problems. Both the dosage form and the size of the package affect their price. For example, for 50 gr. you need to pay about 320-360 rubles for balm, about 230-270 rubles for one bottle of Sinex, and 250-290 rubles for a bottle of AmbroMed.
Storage
All medicines of the Vicks series should be stored at temperatures up to +25 degrees in a dry place. Shelf life of balm - 4 years, nasal spray and powder "Symptomax Plus" - 3 years, syrup "AmbroMed" and tablets "Expectomed" - 2 years.
Reviews
There are many positive reviews about Vicks Active preparations. "Balsam" is called an effective remedy that makes breathing easier, relaxes and eliminates coughs. Among its disadvantages, only a high price is mentioned, since there are cheaper analogs.
The advantages of the Sinex spray include a refreshing effect and a long-lasting effect (up to 12 hours), the Expectomed drug - a quick cough relief, a pleasant taste and a comfortable shape.
Analogs
Other local preparations used for rubbing are capable of replacing Vicks Active Balsam. The doctor may prescribe the following ointments:
- "Pulmex Baby" - from 6 months;
- "Suprima-Plus" - from the age of two;
- "Doctor Mom Fito" - from 3 years old;
- "Dr. Theiss Eucalyptus" - from 3 years of age.
Instead of the Sinex spray, other medications based on oxymetazoline can be used, for example, Afrin, Knoxprey or Nazivin.
Expectomed tablets will be replaced by another drug with acetylcysteine, for example, ACC or Fluimucil, and AmbroMed will be another medication based on ambroxol, for example, Ambrobene or Lazolvan.
Instead of Symptomax Plus, Coldrex, Maxicold or Fervex can be used.
About Vicks Active Symptomax Plus, see the next video.
