Ammonia anise drops are an inexpensive remedy that has long been used to combat coughs. Not everyone knows if it can be used for children, in what dose it is allowed in childhood.
Release form
The drug is produced by several domestic pharmaceutical companies - in the form of alcohol drops, which are taken orally. One bottle of such a medicine contains 25 or 40 ml of a yellowish or colorless transparent solution that smells like anise and ammonia.
Composition
There are two active ingredients in the drops:
- Anise seed oil in the amount of 2.81 g per 100 ml of solution.
- Diluted ammonia solution (10%) in the amount of 15 ml per 100 ml of the drug.
The remainder of the drug is 90% ethyl alcohol. There are no other chemicals in ammonia-anise drops.
Operating principle
The combination of ammonia solution and anise oil has an expectorant effect, since such components are able to reflexively stimulate the motor function of the bronchi and activate the production of secretions in the respiratory tract. As a result of this effect, sputum from the bronchioles and bronchi moves better to the upper respiratory tract and is excreted from the lungs.
Indications
Drops based on anise oil and diluted ammonia are prescribed for coughing that occurs with acute respiratory tract damage - for example, with bronchitis, tracheitis, bronchopneumonia or pleurisy.
At what age is it prescribed?
No age restrictions for the use of ammonia-anise drops are noted in the annotation to the medicine, but only a doctor should prescribe the drug to children, and for babies up to one year old it is usually replaced with other means that do not contain alcohol.
Contraindications
The product is not given to children who have hypersensitivity to its ingredients. It also cannot be used for gastritis or gastric ulcers. With pathologies of the brain, liver disease or traumatic brain injury, the use of drops requires caution.
Side effects
The child's body can react to ammonia-anise drops with an allergic reaction - for example, the appearance of itching of the skin or rashes on the body. In addition, treatment with this remedy sometimes provokes vomiting or severe nausea.
Instructions for use
Drops are drunk 2-3 times a day, they must be diluted with water. To do this, add the required amount of medicine to a tablespoon or a quarter glass of water. The dosage of the medication is determined by the age of the child - a small patient is given as many drops as he is. For example, a two-year-old baby should be given 2 drops per appointment, and for a 7-year-old child, a single dose will be 7 drops.
Overdose and drug interactions
The use of the medicine together with antitussive medicines will worsen the coughing up of sputum, so this combination of cough remedies is not prescribed. However, ammonia-anise drops can be combined with other expectorants, as well as with inhalation and rubbing of the chest.
If you drink drops undiluted and in large quantities, it threatens burns of the mucous membranes and alcohol intoxication.
Terms of sale and storage
Ammonium-anise drops are sold in pharmacies without a prescription, and the average price of a 25 ml bottle is 60-80 rubles. Keep the medicine at home at room temperature - in a place where the product will be inaccessible to children. The shelf life of the drug is 2 years.
Reviews
There are many positive reviews about ammonia-anise drops, in which they note that this remedy copes well with coughing, improves sputum discharge and helps to recover faster from diseases of the respiratory system. The drug is praised for its low cost, effective expectorant action and ease of administration in liquid form. Among the disadvantages, parents name a significant alcohol content and the risk of allergies.
Analogs
Other expectorants produced in the form of drops can be a substitute - "Bronchipret", "Gedelix", "Prospan", "Tussamag"... The drug can be replaced by drugs with a similar therapeutic effect, represented by syrup, lozenges, ointments and other forms. Among them, the most in demand "Mukaltin", "Eucabal", "Doctor Mom", "Herbion", "Linkas", "Termopsol", "Pertussin" and other means.
About how to properly treat cough in children, Dr. E.O. Komarovsky will answer in our next video.
