The best pills for bronchitis

Bronchitis is considered one of the complications of SARS or influenza, respiratory infections. In addition, it is typical for smokers and people with chronic bronchopulmonary lesions (COPD). The term bronchitis refers to a condition in which the airways that connect the upper respiratory tract to lung tissue become damaged and inflamed. The bronchi begin in the region of the bifurcation of the trachea, are first divided into two main bronchi, and then into small branches, in and out reaching the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs. If the large bronchi become inflamed, this is bronchitis, with inflammation of the small bronchi, bronchiolitis and bronchopnemonia may develop (more often in children). If the walls of the bronchi are inflamed, they swell, narrow, and produce too much mucus.

In pulmonology, there are two main types of bronchitis:

Acute process – this is a short-term, sharp inflammation with typical and vivid symptoms. Acute bronchitis is the most common and is usually caused by a viral infection, less commonly by microbes or fungi. Episodes of acute bronchitis can be provoked by smoking, and often bad habits contribute to the chronicity of the process. Acute bronchitis can last 10 to 14 days, sometimes causing symptoms for up to 3 weeks.

Chronical bronchitis – this is a sluggish inflammation, in which sputum production, flaccid inflammation and swelling of the bronchi predominate. Cough with this type of bronchitis can last more than 3 months in a row. Initially, the infection may begin as an acute infection, then progress to a sluggish but persistent inflammation. Sometimes chronic bronchitis is considered as a variant of COPD, along with emphysema.

What is the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia?

In terms of symptoms, the two diseases may seem very similar. Both cause cough, fever, fatigue, and a feeling of heaviness in the chest. Bronchitis can sometimes progress to pneumonia.

Despite the similarities, these are different diseases. First, bronchitis affects the bronchi, while pneumonia affects the alveoli (air sacs in the lungs). Second, the symptoms of pneumonia are usually much worse. In addition, pneumonia can be life-threatening, especially in the elderly and children. If your symptoms do not improve within a week or so, it is best to see a doctor.

Treatment of bronchitis depends on what type of disease the doctor determines.

If it is acute bronchitis, the patient may not need any treatment. Or you can use over-the-counter medications that thin mucus to help cough up phlegm, relieve fever or chest pain, or general malaise. If it’s a bacterial infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

If chronic bronchitis is identified, the treatment will be different. Chronic bronchitis, considered part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), has no cure. Symptoms can be treated using a variety of methods, including drugs, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, surgery, or a combination of these. The attending physician may prescribe medications that thin mucus or suppress coughs, during periods of exacerbation, antibiotics, bronchial dilators and oxygen support are indicated.

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The most basic drugs that are used in severe bronchitis are antibiotics, as well as agents for expanding the bronchi and those that help thin and cough up sputum.

1. Amoxiclav

The drug is available in the form of a powder for the preparation of a suspension that is taken orally, tablets or capsules, as well as vials with a solution for injection. The medicine is sold from pharmacies strictly by prescription. It belongs to the group of penicillin-protected antibiotics, the main active ingredients are amoxicillin with clavulanic acid. Dosages depend on age and are calculated for amoxicillin and clavulanic acid separately. Protected penicillins actively work against community-acquired strains of bacteria that provoke infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract.

Indications for admission:

• SARS complicated by microbial infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract;
• acute bronchitis caused by flora sensitive to amoxicillin;
• exacerbation of chronic bronchitis with a proven microbial nature;
• community-acquired bronchopneumonia.

The drug has a number of contraindications that must be considered when prescribing the drug in any form. These include – an allergy to the penicillin group of antibiotics, liver damage and cholestasis with jaundice, infectious mononucleosis, lymphocytic leukemia, age up to 2 years. Carefully prescribe the drug to people with lesions of the intestines, liver and kidneys, in pregnant and lactating women.

It is important to evaluate possible combinations with the medications taken before starting treatment in order to avoid complications.

2. Teotard

The drug is produced in the form of capsules, sold only by prescription. It belongs to the group of bronchodilators, the main active ingredient is theophylline in the form of a prolonged medication. Helps in expanding the walls of the bronchi, which can spasm and swell against the background of infection or irritation, allergies. Improves pulmonary ventilation.

The medicine is prescribed in the presence of:

• bronchial obstruction against the background of various pathologies – asthma, COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis;
• pulmonary hypertension;
• sleep apnea syndrome with respiratory arrest and snoring.

The drug is often prescribed to patients with obstructive bronchitis, especially those prone to recurrence. The drug is used as part of the complex therapy of bronchitis and bronchopneumonia.

There are a number of contraindications to taking the drug – these are epilepsy attacks, ulcerative lesions of the digestive system, gastritis with acidity, severe hypertension, arrhythmias, strokes, hemorrhages. The drug is prohibited in pregnant women, during lactation and in children under 3 years of age.

Against the background of treatment with the drug, it is necessary to control pressure and blood picture, and assess pulmonary ventilation.

3. ACC

The drug is produced in the form of a sachet with powder, syrups and effervescent soluble tablets. Sold without a prescription, belongs to the group of mucolytics that help in thinning and removing sputum from the bronchi, alleviating dry cough. The main component is acetylcysteine. It helps to change the properties of sputum and the activity of the bronchial glands, stimulating them to produce more fluid secretions. This helps to quickly and easily cough up sputum, making the cough productive.

Drug shown:

• in diseases of the lower respiratory tract, including bronchitis with thick, viscous sputum that is difficult to cough up;
• with chronic bronchitis in the acute stage;
• with bronchial obstruction, bronchiectasis, bronchial asthma, as a complex treatment of laryngitis, cystic fibrosis.

The drug has a cumulative effect, it begins to work actively from 2 to 3 days from the moment of administration.

There are a number of contraindications for taking ACC that must be taken into account. These include peptic ulcer of the stomach and intestines, pregnancy and lactation, the threat of pulmonary hemorrhage, age up to 6 years, allergy to the components of the drug. It is forbidden to use ACC together with drugs that suppress coughs, because of the risk of “swamping the lungs” and provoking pneumonia.

It is important to use the drug in case of damage to the adrenal glands and bronchial asthma only under the supervision of a physician.

4. Ambroxol

The drug is produced in the form of tablets, capsules and solutions, syrups for oral administration. Sold in pharmacies without a prescription, has a mucolytic effect, relieves cough. The main active ingredient is Ambroxol. Helps in stimulating the synthesis of sputum and its thinning, which facilitates coughing and removal of mucus from the bronchi during inflammation.

The drug is indicated for the treatment of:

• acute diseases affecting the lower respiratory tract: ronchitis, pneumonia;
• exacerbation of chronic bronchial diseases (COPD), obstructive bronchitis;
• bronchial asthma in the acute stage with viscous difficult to discharge sputum;
• bronchiectasis with cough.

The drug is well tolerated, but there are a number of contraindications to the reception. These include allergies to components, pregnancy in the first 20 weeks, lactation, age under 6 years, lactose and galactose intolerance. Extremely carefully, the drug is prescribed in people with ulcerative lesions of the digestive tract.

5. Erespal

The drug is produced in the form of syrup and film-coated tablets. Release the drug from pharmacies by prescription. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, a bronchodilator effect. The main active ingredient is fenspiride. The drug has a long-term effect, suppresses the inflammatory process in the walls of the bronchi, reduces swelling and spasm of muscle cells.

Indications:

• infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract, including acute bronchitis;
• tracheobronchitis – acute and chronic;
• exacerbation of chronic bronchial lesions against the background of COPD;
• as part of complex treatment for bronchial asthma;
• with microbial infections of the lower respiratory tract in combination with antibiotics.

The drug is contraindicated in pregnancy, allergies to the components of the drug. In general, it is well tolerated, has a prolonged action. Excreted from the body by the kidneys.

How to choose pills for bronchitis

In acute bronchitis without complications, symptomatic therapy is usually used. With the threat of complications, the doctor selects the most optimal combinations of drugs, including antibiotics.

The issue with the treatment of chronic bronchitis is much more complicated. Drug classes that may be used to treat chronic bronchitis in COPD include:

Antibiotics for the treatment of worsening cough, shortness of breath and mucus production caused by infections.

anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids (inhaled and tablets) to reduce swelling and mucus production. Steroids can have many different types of side effects, including swelling in the legs and arms, mood changes, increased appetite and weight gain, sleep problems, and more serious ones such as diabetes, increased risk of infections, osteoporosis, and cataracts.

Bronchodilators to relax the muscles of the airways so that the airways remain open. There are long-acting and short-acting bronchodilators. Short-acting medications are often referred to as rescue (emergency) medications because they act quickly but are removed from the body after a couple of hours.

combination drugs, containing a mixture of steroids and long-acting or short-acting bronchodilators.

Important! All drugs for bronchitis should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor. This applies not only to antibiotics, but also to cough suppressants. Incorrect combinations of drugs can lead to the spread of infection in the lungs and pneumonia.

Popular questions and answers

Answered questions about the treatment of bronchitis, its causes and methods of prevention pharmacist, teacher of pharmacology, editor-in-chief of MedCorr Zorina Olga.