Updated: 02/01/2021 16:57:27
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*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.
Colds are often accompanied by a cough. It is observed in tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and a number of other pathologies. For the treatment of cough, liquid dosage forms are very popular: syrups or elixirs. Preference is given to them both in the treatment of children and adults.
When selecting such a dosage form, they are guided by the type of cough, the reason for its occurrence, depth and other characteristics. There are 4 main groups of medicinal syrups:
- Antitussives
- suppress the cough reflex and also soften irritation of the mucous membrane. Suitable for painful dry cough. - Mucolytic
- thins sputum, reduces the viscosity of secretions, facilitating its better removal from the respiratory tract. Treat a wet, but unproductive cough. - Expectorants
- stimulate the active discharge of sputum and cleanse the bronchial lumen. They have worked well for wet, fairly productive coughs. - Complex agents
- have the following effects: mucolytic, expectorant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and others. They usually have a combined composition and are suitable for the treatment of productive cough with sputum.
Our experts conducted a study and compiled a rating of the best cough syrups for adult patients and for children.
The best cough syrup for children
To treat cough in children, pediatricians quite often prescribe syrups. This form of release of the drug allows us to solve the problem when children refuse to take the medicine. Most syrups are produced with a pleasant aroma and taste that is easy to interest a child.
Gedelix
Rating: 4.9
The first in the ranking of the best children's cough syrups is the German Gedelix. This is a herbal preparation containing ivy leaf extract. It is rich in saponins, therefore it has an expectorant, mucolytic and antispasmodic effect. The drug is used to treat children from birth with infectious and inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract and bronchi, accompanied by a cough with difficult to separate sputum.
The syrup is a thick, homogeneous liquid with a honey tint without sediment. It is not bitter, grassy with pronounced anise notes. Dosages for children of different ages are different. It is recommended to give syrup to infants and young children diluted in a small amount of water. The average duration of treatment is 7 days.
According to reviews from parents, this syrup has proven itself to be effective in treating coughs in children. It is ranked among the best for its effectiveness, as well as for the absence of sugar and alcohol in its composition. With this drug, sputum begins to clear well after 2-3 days of use. If treatment is started on time, then Gedelix works great as a solo drug.
Advantages
- natural composition;
- lack of sugar and alcohol;
- even for newborns;
- acts quickly;
- pleasant taste;
- After opening the original packaging, it is stored for 6 months.
Flaws
- an allergic reaction may develop.
Dr. Theiss syrup with plantain
Rating: 4.8
Second place in the ranking is occupied by another German syrup from Dr Theiss. This is a phyto-preparation based on plantain lanceolate extract. Honey and peppermint are present as auxiliary components. It has an expectorant, anti-inflammatory and mucolytic effect.
The syrup is an opaque, viscous, brown solution with a specific odor. The taste is a little tart with a hint of bitterness, but quite sweet, so children drink it without problems. It is suitable for treating babies from 1 year old. There is no measuring spoon or cup included. The manufacturer suggests dosing the drug in teaspoons.
Parents leave mostly positive reviews about this medicine. If you start taking this syrup at the first cough, it quickly relieves symptoms and prevents the disease from developing. It is included by our experts in the rating of the best, since it has proven itself well both in complex treatment and in monotherapy. Among the possible side effects and contraindications, it only has increased individual sensitivity.
Advantages
- natural composition;
- pleasant taste;
- effectively solves the problem of difficult to separate sputum.
Flaws
- contains sucrose.
Lazolvan
Rating: 4.7
Spanish syrup for children Lazolvan took third place in the ranking. The active substance in it is ambroxol. This expectorant and mucolytic agent actively enhances secretion in the respiratory tract. This syrup is appropriate for use in various acute and chronic respiratory diseases (bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma), accompanied by the release of viscous sputum.
The syrup is a colorless, slightly viscous liquid with the smell of wild berries. A convenient measuring cup is included. This cough medicine can even be used to treat children under two years of age. Take the medicine orally regardless of meals.
Reviews about this cough medicine are mostly positive. Some people are a little confused by the composition, but this syrup is not positioned as phyto. It is included in the rating of the best because it helps a child cope with a cough. It quickly removes mucus, so wheezing goes away and the child quickly recovers.
Advantages
- quickly copes with the task;
- does not contain sugar;
- convenient measuring cup.
Flaws
- If the child does not drink enough fluids, it can cause sputum accumulation.
Herbion with plantain
Rating: 4.6
The fourth position in the ranking went to Gerbion syrup with plantain from KRKA (Slovenia). It contains liquid extract of plantain leaves and mallow flowers, as well as ascorbic acid. It promotes the removal of sputum and facilitates this process, relieves inflammation and has an antimicrobial effect.
The color of the syrup is brown. It is very sweet with a specific herbal aroma. In children's practice it is used from the age of 2. The dosage regimen depends on the age category. The drug is taken orally after meals. It is recommended to drink it with a glass of tea or warm water. The set includes a measuring spoon, and a dispenser is fixed in the neck of the bottle.
Parents note in their reviews that the drug works effectively and the cough goes away in literally 2 days. This syrup was also included in the rating of the best for its taste characteristics. Although the large amount of sucrose in the composition does not allow it to be used by diabetics, it is very tasty and children drink it quite willingly.
Advantages
- herbal components in the composition;
- pleasant taste;
- anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect;
- quickly relieves dry cough.
Flaws
- the development of allergic reactions is possible.
Fluditek
Rating: 4.5
Fifth in the ranking is the French cough medicine Fluditec. It contains carbocisteine, a mucolytic agent that is appropriate for various diseases of the respiratory tract, accompanied by the release of large amounts of viscous mucus.
The syrup is a transparent liquid of light yellow (non-poisonous) color with a pronounced banana taste. It does not have a bitter aftertaste, so children are treated with it willingly. Suitable for therapy of children from 2 years of age. The package contains a measuring cup that allows you to conveniently dose the drug.
Based on reviews from parents, it becomes clear that with this drug, children quickly stop being tormented by a night cough, they cough better during the day, and after 3 days of treatment, only a slight cough remains. Fluditec deserves to be among the best because it can cure a wet cough in a matter of days.
Advantages
- acts effectively and quickly;
- volume - 125 ml (enough for the entire course of treatment);
- does not leave a bitter aftertaste.
Flaws
- a lot of sucrose and dye in the composition.
Linkas
Rating: 4.4
The sixth position in the ranking is occupied by the Pakistani combination cough drug Linkas. It contains 10 medicinal plant extracts. Makes cough less intense and more productive. The drug thins mucus, promotes its better evacuation, and also relieves inflammation in the respiratory tract.
The syrup is dark brown with a viscous consistency and a pronounced licorice flavor. Approved for use by children from 6 months. For ease of dosing, a measuring cup is included. During the therapeutic course, it is not recommended to take Linkas simultaneously with antitussive drugs, as well as with drugs that reduce sputum formation.
Reviews about Linkas are mostly good. Parents note that after the first use, their children’s barking cough goes away. Dry quickly turns into wet and sputum is easily separated. Linkas is deservedly included by our experts in the ranking of the best, since in the presence of a large number of herbal components it practically does not cause allergic reactions and acts very quickly.
Advantages
- extracts of medicinal plants in the composition;
- allowed from 6 months;
- not bitter;
- makes cough productive and facilitates sputum discharge.
Flaws
- in advanced cases it is not always effective.
Codelac Neo
Rating: 4.3
The Russian syrup Codelac Neo is in seventh place in the ranking. It contains the active substance - butamirate. It is a centrally acting antitussive. It has an expectorant, moderate bronchodilator effect, and also relieves inflammation. Eliminates dry cough that accompanies influenza, acute respiratory infections, whooping cough or other pathological conditions.
The syrup is completely transparent without color, has a vanilla, slightly chemical aroma. Its taste is sweetish, but mixed with bitterness. The bottle comes with an interesting double-sided (5/3 ml) dispenser spoon. It is also equipped with a child-proof lid. Codelac Neo is used to treat children from 3 years of age.
Parents leave mostly positive reviews about this drug. Just within one day of using Codelac Neo syrup, the first results are noticeable. The drug is included in the rating of the best because it suppresses the cough reflex, but at the same time gently transforms a non-productive cough into a wet one. After 3-5 days of use, it is recommended to switch to herbal syrup therapy.
Advantages
- quickly relieves attacks of dry cough;
- has a mild expectorant effect;
- convenient spoon dispenser;
- no dyes in the composition.
Flaws
- contains ethanol;
- an allergic reaction may develop.
Glycodin
Rating: 4.2
The Indian drug Glycodin completes the ranking of the best. It contains: dextromethorphan (antitussive), terpinhydrate (expectorant), levomenthol (moderate antispasmodic). Glycodin syrup is prescribed for the treatment of various diseases of the respiratory tract, which are accompanied by a dry, irritating cough.
The syrup is yellow-brown, viscous with a characteristic smell and a sugary-sweet caramel taste. In children's practice it is used from the age of 4. After oral administration, relief occurs within 10-30 minutes. In young patients, the effect on the cough receptor lasts for 6-9 hours.
Some people are afraid to give this syrup to children because of the dextromethorphan content. But in critical situations, when a dry cough is so painful that it provokes a gag reflex, Glycodin shows its best side, which parents note in their reviews.
Advantages
- effective for hacking coughs that provoke a gag reflex;
- economical consumption;
- measuring spoon included.
Flaws
- tasteless;
- Not sold everywhere without a prescription.
"Fluditek"
This product is suitable for use in the presence of sputum. The active substance in the composition is carbocysteine. The latter counteracts attacks and promotes the removal of mucus.
The composition of the drug is selected so that it is as safe as possible. Fluditec for cough rarely causes adverse reactions, so pediatricians prescribe it even to the youngest patients.
“Fluditek” for cough has a pleasant banana taste, so both children and adults will like it. The only contraindication is hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
"Bronchicum"
This syrup is an expectorant. It also belongs to herbal preparations. In addition to anti-inflammatory, "Bronchicum" has an antimicrobial effect. It thins mucus, causing the body to eliminate it faster.
"Bronchicum" can be given to children from 6 months of age. When treating attacks with syrup or tablets, you need to be careful, as it contains ethyl alcohol.
The drug is contraindicated in case of renal and liver failure, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Dosage:
- "Bronchicum S" is drunk after a meal. Adults are shown 1 tbsp. l. three times a day;
- “Bronchicum” with primrose and thyme (thyme) drink 1 tsp. at equal time intervals 6 times a day.
"Bronholitin"
This syrup is a combination drug. It contains active substances such as glaucine, ephedrine and basil essential oil. Thanks to its composition, Bronholitin has antispasmodic, antimicrobial and soothing properties.
The syrup effectively removes bronchial mucus.
Despite its functionality, there are many contraindications to the drug. So it is not recommended to drink this remedy on your own. During treatment, you must strictly follow the instructions and instructions of the doctor.
Warning signs
Cough can be a symptom of non-inflammatory and non-infectious diseases, so prolonged cough in young patients that does not respond to conventional treatment and prolonged cough in elderly patients are important indications for a thorough medical examination. In this case, it is first of all important not to miss tumor and lymphoproliferative diseases. Such a pharmacy client should be advised to urgently visit a doctor. In childhood, a barking cough caused by swelling of the larynx cannot be cured with syrups either; we send such clients to a pediatrician.
The variety of types of cough syrups often confuses pharmacy visitors. In the absence of a doctor's prescription, the primary care provider must help the client make the right choice among over-the-counter syrups. Prescription drugs include all bronchodilators and antitussives that inhibit the cough reflex. Thus, you will have to choose among expectorant syrups that enhance or facilitate the separation of bronchial mucus (sputum) when coughing. Mucolytic cough syrups facilitate the production of sputum, and secretory syrups increase its secretion. Thus, the former are used for wet coughs, and the latter for dry coughs.
"Gedelix"
The herbal preparation is distinguished by the fact that it does not contain alcohols or sugars. In addition, the medicine is completely safe and does not cause side effects. The great advantage of its use is the relief of cold symptoms from the first day of therapy.
"Lazolvan" for children and adults
The syrup stimulates the production of bronchial mucus, but the latter becomes less viscous. As a result, sputum is better and easier to separate and remove from the body. The main active ingredient in the composition is ambroxol.
A minor drawback is the bitter taste. Otherwise, the drug meets all criteria.
"Doctor Mom"
Syrup, ointment and tablets help with colds, which are accompanied by cough, runny nose and sore throat. All forms of medicines are based on herbal components. For example, the syrup contains turmeric, ginger, licorice, menthol and aloe.
Doctor Mom syrup is indicated for respiratory diseases, acute respiratory infections, which are accompanied by cough.
The drug is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the components. It should not be taken simultaneously with Codelac, Sinekod and other drugs for dry cough.
