10 Best Expectorants for Clearing Sputum in Adults

Contents

Rating of the top 10 inexpensive and effective expectorants for removing sputum in adults according to KP
How to choose expectorants for sputum removal in adults
Reviews of doctors about expectorants for removing sputum in adults
Popular questions and answers

What expectorants for removing sputum in adults can be found in a pharmacy. We discussed with experts the most popular products, as well as the criteria for their selection.

Cough is a reflex reaction of the human body to irritation of the respiratory tract, preventing free breathing¹. Coughing helps clear the lungs of germs and phlegm.

A cough that produces sputum is commonly referred to as a “wet” cough. There are many reasons for such a cough. The most common are:

ARVI;
pharyngitis;
laryngitis;
bronchitis²;
bronchial asthma;
tracheobronchitis;
pneumonia;
whooping cough.

Viscous and mucous sputum hardly leaves the respiratory tract. Therefore, the main task of expectorants is to thin and remove sputum. Currently, the pharmaceutical industry offers a wide range of drugs that help fight this symptom. These can be tablets, syrups, lozenges or lozenges, powders. However, a safe and effective drug can only be selected by the attending physician, who is familiar with the cause of the cough that has appeared.

It is worth remembering that if once a certain remedy was effective in treating a cough with phlegm, it may not work again. It is for this reason that you should not choose medicines on your own.

Rating of the top 10 inexpensive and effective expectorants for removing sputum in adults according to KP

Together with a pulmonologist, therapist and infectious disease specialist Maria Issa, we have compiled a rating of the top 10 effective and inexpensive means for removing sputum. Before purchasing any product from this rating, you need to consult a specialist. Uncontrolled intake of medicines can lead to complications and deterioration of well-being. You also need to remember that each drug has contraindications.

1. Acetylcysteine Canon

Expectorant with the same active ingredient – acetylcysteine. It facilitates sputum discharge, reduces sore throat and reduces nocturnal cough. In addition, the drug improves the regeneration of damaged areas of the bronchi, increases local immunity and neutralizes free radicals and toxins.

The drug is effective in acute and chronic bronchitis, tracheitis and bronchial asthma. Effectively removes not only viscous, but also mucous, purulent sputum.

It is also worth noting the convenient form of release: ranulas for preparing a solution are suitable for those who do not like to drink pills.

high efficiency, allowed for children over two years old.

may cause skin allergic reactions and gastrointestinal disorders.

2. Pulmicort

Pulmicort is one of the most expensive drugs in this collection of drugs. However, the price is justified by its effectiveness in dealing with serious problems.

The drug is available as a suspension for inhalation. The main active ingredient is the glucocorticoid budesonide, which has a powerful anti-inflammatory local effect. Pulmicort is prescribed for the treatment of bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and laryngotracheitis.

The drug reduces the severity of symptoms and the frequency of possible complications of bronchial asthma, reduces swelling of the bronchial mucosa and hyperactivity of the airways. Patients note that after the first application, sputum is noticeably liquefied, and already on the 3rd day there is a significant ease in breathing.

can be used during pregnancy and lactation; high efficiency of the product.

unpleasant aftertaste after inhalation; can provoke fungal diseases of the oropharynx, therefore, after each inhalation, you need to rinse your mouth with water.

3. Lazolvan

The active ingredient in Lazolvan is Ambroxol. Scientific studies confirm that the active ingredient can significantly improve sputum production and relieve coughing.³. Patients with obstructive pulmonary disease note a decrease in exacerbations after a therapeutic course of the drug for about 2 months.

Lazolvan is an effective remedy that is prescribed for the treatment of acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma with difficult sputum discharge and bronchiectasis. Available in the form of syrup, tablets, as well as a solution for inhalation.

the drug is allowed for pregnant women (2-3 trimester), as well as for children from 2 years of age. High efficiency, you can buy at any pharmacy.

contraindicated during lactation. Possible side effects in the form of nausea, decreased sensitivity in the mouth and pharynx, changes in taste.

4. Ambrobene

The main active ingredient in the preparation is Ambroxol. Due to the presence of a mucolytic (a substance that thins sputum and accelerates its excretion), Ambrobene begins to act almost instantly, 30 minutes after ingestion. The components of the drug have a beneficial effect on the condition of the respiratory tract and contribute to the formation of a surfactant (a special liquid that envelops the respiratory units of the lungs – acini and prevents them from sticking together).

Doctors prescribe the expectorant Ambrobene in cases of diseases with poorly discharged, viscous sputum. Suitable for the treatment of both acute and chronic forms of diseases of the bronchial system. The dosage of any form of the drug can be calculated and prescribed only by the attending physician.

The release form of the drug is syrup, tablets, inhalation solution, so that everyone will find a suitable option for themselves.

affordable price, a large selection of manufactured forms of the drug, a quick and high-quality effect of treatment. In the form of a syrup, it is allowed for children from the first weeks of life (as prescribed by a doctor).

side effects (dry mouth, nausea, change in taste) often occur. The drug is not recommended for patients with severe disorders of the liver and kidneys.

5. Codelac broncho

Codelac broncho has anti-inflammatory, mucolytic and expectorant effects.⁴. The tool is intended to thin and accelerate the discharge of sputum from the lungs. Effective in ENT diseases, bronchitis and pneumonia. The active ingredients are ambroxol and thermopsis extract, which have proven themselves well and have proven their effectiveness. The drug is available in the form of tablets.

reduces sputum viscosity, pronounced anti-inflammatory and antiviral effect, fast and long-term result.

attacks of weakness, headache and diarrhea are possible while taking the drug. Decreased effectiveness when taken together with antitussives.

6. Linkas

Linkas syrup belongs to the category of combined herbal preparations. The active substance is dry extracts of medicinal plants: licorice root, fragrant violet flowers, fruits and roots of long pepper, leaves of adhadota vascular, leaves of hyssop officinalis, marshmallow flowers, etc.

The drug helps to reduce the intensity of coughing, improves sputum discharge, while additionally has an anti-inflammatory effect. Herbal ingredients relieve sore throat and have antibacterial properties. The syrup is prescribed for the treatment of cough with sputum difficult to separate against the background of acute respiratory infections, influenza, bronchitis, tracheitis.

high efficiency, does not contain alcohol, a small list of contraindications, affordable price. Suitable for children over 6 months old.

plant composition can cause allergic reactions.

7. Stoptussin-Fito

Syrup Stoptussin-Fito belongs to the category of expectorants with herbal composition. Active ingredients of the syrup: extracts of creeping thyme herb, common thyme and lanceolate plantain leaves.

The drug reduces the viscosity of sputum, accelerates its removal from the respiratory tract, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. The syrup is effective in the treatment of tracheitis, bronchitis, tracheobronchitis.

reasonable price, natural composition, good efficiency.

there is a risk of an allergic reaction to the components of the syrup. It is not recommended for people with kidney and liver diseases, prediabetes and diabetes due to the large amount of sucrose in the composition.

8. Ascoril

Combined preparation with expectorant and mucolytic properties⁵. There are several active ingredients in these tablets: salbutamol, guaifenesin and bromhexine, which provide a good expectorant effect with a quick action.

Most often, the drug is prescribed for diseases such as acute bronchitis, tracheobronchitis, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is in cases with thick and poorly discharged sputum that the remedy copes very effectively. Active ingredients help to eliminate spasm in the bronchi, facilitate sputum discharge, help unproductive cough to become productive.

affordable price, high efficiency in the first days of admission.

side effects in the form of hand tremors, tachycardia and headache, nausea and diarrhea are possible, urine color is pink.

9. Mukaltin

The active substance of Mukaltin tablets is an extract of the marshmallow herb. The remedy belongs to the category of herbal preparations with an expectorant effect. Often prescribed in complex therapy, the effectiveness of the drug has been tested by more than one generation. Suitable for the treatment of both acute and chronic diseases of the lower respiratory tract, which are often accompanied by viscous and difficult to separate sputum.

The use of the drug in children under 12 years of age is allowed. For convenience, you can dissolve the tablet in a small amount of water. The drug can be taken by pregnant and lactating women, but only after consultation with your doctor.

low cost, no cases of drug overdose, high efficiency, wide availability.

there is no instant effect, the possibility of an allergic reaction, reactions from the gastrointestinal tract are possible in the form of nausea and discomfort in the abdomen.

10. Travisil

The syrup contains a large list of active ingredients in the form of plant extracts. The drug has an expectorant, mucolytic and anti-inflammatory effect, helps with coughing against the background of diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Effectively liquefies viscous sputum. Syrup is allowed for children from 1 year. The manufacturer does not note cases of drug overdose.

many active herbal ingredients in the composition, no cases of overdose, affordable price.

an allergic reaction to herbal ingredients is possible. People with diabetes should take into account that the composition contains sucrose.

How to choose expectorants for sputum removal in adults

Only the attending physician can help in choosing the right expectorant. After collecting an anamnesis, conducting the necessary examination and reviewing the results of the tests, the doctor will be able to choose the necessary remedy that will be effective in a particular case.

Effective is the drug that has not only an expectorant, but also an anti-inflammatory, as well as a tonic effect.

Drugs that improve sputum discharge are usually divided into several categories:

Phytomedication

Phytopreparations (herbal preparations) are often prescribed for the treatment of not only adults, but also children. However, in the case of their use, control by a doctor is necessary, since the funds from this group significantly increase the bronchial secretion, which is subsequently coughed up heavily. This, in turn, can lead to congestion in the bronchi and lungs.

Mucolytics

Mucolytics are suitable for both adults and children. Means from this group are able to effectively dilute sputum, while not increasing its amount by many times.

Manufacturers of mucolytic drugs often produce drugs in different forms – in the form of tablets, syrups or inhalation solutions. Therefore, everyone can choose the most convenient form of admission.

Also, mucolytics are prescribed in the treatment of ENT diseases, which are accompanied by the release of mucous or purulent-mucous secretions.

Combined preparations

And finally, the third group of drugs – combined⁵, which contain in their composition 2 or more components – expectorant, antihistamine and vasoconstrictor. Also, the composition may contain components with an antipyretic effect and relieve bronchospasm.

Combined drugs relieve cough with bronchospasm, respiratory viral and bacterial infections. They are often sold in pharmacies without a prescription, however, independent use is highly discouraged. Only a competent specialist will be able to choose the right combinations of active ingredients that will lead to a speedy recovery without side effects.

Reviews of doctors about expectorants for removing sputum in adults

According to pulmonologists, the best drugs or drugs of choice are ACC, Pulmicort, Ambroxol. But we must remember that each drug must be selected individually, taking into account the disease, age and health of the patient.

Also, recently, doctors (due to coronavirus infection) have been very popular with drugs with acetylcysteine in the composition, which well and quickly remove sputum from the bronchi.

If the patient has a nebudizer (inhaler) in his home arsenal, it is very convenient and effective to prescribe pulmicort. The only disadvantage of the drug is its high cost.

Preparations with the active substance Ambroxol have proven themselves well. These drugs come in a variety of forms, from tablets to inhaled solution, and are usually inexpensive.

10 Best Expectorants for Clearing Sputum in Adults