Top-rated cough suppressants for children and adults in 2024

Cough is a very common ailment in people of any age. Depending on his origin and character, he can be either a barely noticeable companion, or a glamor that greatly interferes with life, requiring medicinal intervention. This top rating is intended to understand the variety of cough medicines.

Cough reasons

The nature of the cough may be as follows:

• inflammatory. Both the airways and the alveoli can become inflamed. Diseases: laryngitis, pneumonia, lung abscess, tracheitis, bronchitis;
• irritable from mechanical stress. Increased bonus of bronchi, their compression, bronchial asthma, fibrosis, pulmonary edema;
• irritable from chemical exposure. When harmful substances and gases enter the lungs and bronchi. For example, cigarette smoke, harmful aerosols, carbon monoxide;
• thermal effect. Air that is too cold or too hot can irritate the lungs.

By the nature of the department, a cough can be:

• wet - with sputum separation;
• dry - no discharge, usually due to lack of lubrication on the mucous membranes.

Each type of cough needs special, individual treatment. How often do we desperately run to the pharmacy and get lost in finding the right medicine. In order to effectively cope with the disease and determine how to treat a cough in each case, we will consider the main situations in which a cough occurs, and suggest the most effective remedies for cure.

Child's cough.

A real disaster for parents is when their child gets sick. First, find out if a fairly common childhood cold is the cause of the cough. Temperature, nasal congestion, lethargy and chills are quite indicative that the baby has caught a cold. The cough can be strong or weak, but not barking or screaming. Usually frequent.

Adult cough.

And what about adults? After all, they also suffer from various types of coughs, and their spectrum of these types is slightly wider. Chronic coughing and persistent sore throat are increasingly manifested. Women during pregnancy should be careful with drugs and be sure to ask a doctor which drugs are strictly prohibited during this period.

Categories of cough suppressants

Mucolytics (removing phlegm from the lungs).

Among them, the most popular:

Mukaltin tablets

A tool that our grandmothers still used."Effervescent tablets" that dissolve in water with a characteristic hiss and the formation of small bubbles. The process of dissolution itself can already bring a lot of joy to the baby. Also available in syrup form.

Ingredients: marshmallow extract.

Average price: 15 rubles per package.

• very affordable price;
• efficiency;
• practical absence of side effects;
• convenient release forms;
• approved for use from 12 months.

• usually mukaltin is absent on the shelves of pharmacies, where it is more profitable to display expensive and imported drugs, so you have to ask for the drug directly from the sellers. Due to the low price of the drug, few people know about it at all.

Lazolvan

Sweet syrup, which liquefies phlegm, removes inflammation. Available in almost every pharmacy. It has a generic, or rather - on the contrary - its original source - ambroxol, which is somewhat cheaper. Another analogue: ambrobene. Also available in tablets - for adults.

Active ingredient: ambroxol.

Average price: 220r per bottle.

• affordable price;
• can be used from birth;
• convenient form of release, sweet taste, children usually like it;
• high efficiency.

• with prolonged use it can cause stomach irritation, heartburn, even vomiting.

Ambrobene

An analogue of Lazolvan, one might say - his twin brother. For children, it is available in the form of syrup and injections for inhalation. For adults - tablets. Effective mucolytic, expectorant.

Active ingredient: ambroxol. He is also a generic, progenitor, Ambroxol itself can be bought in tablets. It is inexpensive - an average of 20 rubles per pack.

Average price: 130r

• affordable price;
• convenient form of release, sweet taste;
• the possibility of use in infants (from the first months of life);
• release in the form of injections for inhalation. If you have an inhaler or a nebulizer at home, you can do procedures with ambroben, in a solution with mineral water.

• quite a few possible side effects: allergies, stomach irritation, weakness, headache, etc.

Doctor IOM. Syrup and lozenges.

The syrup, which includes a mixture of many medicinal herbs, is great for children: pleasant taste, convenient form. Pastilles are more suitable for adults. The drug is famous for the fact that not only eliminates cough, but is also an effective remedy for chronic sore throat (a common phenomenon in adults) and "tickling in the throat" in the absence of symptoms of the disease.

Average price: 190 rubles for a bottle of syrup and 90 rubles for a pack of lozenges.

• affordable price;
• high efficiency, wide spectrum of action.

• possible individual intolerance to the components of which there are many in this medicine.

Expectorants, i.e. quickly excreting phlegm

Pertussin

Another good old Soviet medicine that was in every home, but is losing popularity again because of its price: it is more profitable to sell expensive and imported medicines. However, the price does not diminish the effectiveness of the incredibly sweet syrup, which helps to cope with an excruciating cough.
Active ingredients: potassium bromide, thyme extract (thyme) - fragrant medicinal herb, ethyl alcohol.

Average price: 15 rubles per bottle.

• very affordable price;
• taste very pleasant for children;
• convenient form of release.

• store preferably in the refrigerator;
• with alcoholism (in adults), it is advisable to avoid the use of this remedy;
• there are many possible side effects due to the high maltose content and the presence of alcohol. Children under one year old are contraindicated, from one to three years - with caution;
• usually absent from the counter. You need to ask the seller about the medicine.

Liquorice root

Effective folk remedies often take a dosage form over time. Licorice root syrup is a prime example. It not only eliminates coughs, but also generally counteracts the virus that has entered the body that caused this cough.

The infusion of licorice root can also be prepared by yourself, at home.

Active ingredient: extract from the roots and rhizomes of licorice naked. Excipients: sugar syrup, ethyl alcohol.

Average price: 35 rubles per bottle.

• on natural ingredients;
• high efficiency;
• very affordable price.

• individual intolerance;
• possible side effects: heartburn, urticaria.

Cough suppressants for very violent, excruciating coughs.

Such a cough significantly interferes with the life of the baby. For example, a child cannot sleep due to coughing or constantly wakes up at night, does not get enough sleep. Separately, a disease such as whooping cough should be endured. In adults, this is a suffocating cough from COPD, which can be found in a crowded place and cause a lot of trouble for both the patient and his environment.

Bronchicum: syrup, elixir, lozenges

A tool that allows you to very quickly and effectively thin the viscous phlegm in the lungs, relieve respiratory tension, remove "tickling in the throat" and pain.

Active ingredients: tinctures of grindelia bark, rose hips, primrose root, thyme flowers, natural bee honey.

Average price: 160r per bottle.

• emergency highly effective remedy;
• only natural ingredients;
• affordable price;
• help with acute forms of bronchitis.

• not suitable for very babies and babies: only from 2 years old.

A cough can be triggered not only by an infection, but also be the result of an already transferred infection, allergy. These are acute and chronic bronchitis of various origins. If the cough is mild, but persistent in the absence of signs of illness. If the disease manifests itself strictly at a certain time (in the morning, for example) or in certain places (in the forest, in the gym), you may be dealing with bronchitis.

Remember that in any of these cases, you should urgently see a doctor.

Medicines to help manage bronchitis

Erespal

In addition to its expectorant, thinning and anti-inflammatory properties, the drug is also antihistamine, i.e. containing anti-allergenic substances. Produced in the form of a syrup of not very pleasant, but still acceptable taste. Also effective for influenza, whooping cough. For adults, it is available in tablets.

Active ingredient: fenspiride hydrochloride.

Average price: 230 rubles.

• very high efficiency, wide range of actions;
• application from birth.

• considerable price of the medicine;
• taste not too pleasant for children - it is better to give syrup mixed with baby food, honey and other sweeteners.

Berodual. Inhalation medicine

Inhalation can be carried out both in a hospital setting and at home by purchasing an inhaler at a very reasonable price. By themselves, inhalations (even without medication) clear the lungs, break up lumps of phlegm. The procedure is designed in such a way that the patient breathes either vaporized liquid or small particles of liquid.

Active ingredients: fenoterol, ipratropium bromide.

Non-hormonal agent.

Average price: 220r.

• high efficiency, wide spectrum of action;
• no dilution with mineral water required.

• a doctor's indication is required. In no case should you use it at your own discretion;
• quite high price;
• not all children tolerate the inhalation procedure calmly and well.

Pulmicort. Inhalation medicine

Often this medicine is combined with the aforementioned Berodual, if the use of only Berodual does not give the desired effect. It has a powerful anti-allergic, antitussive, antiviral effect. It drains the bronchi well, allowing them to develop from postponed ailments. Hormonal. Dilution with mineral water (Narzan, Borjomi, etc.) or saline is required.

Active ingredient: budesonide.

Average price: 240 rubles for 5 doses of injections.

• high efficiency;
• ease of use: injections are divided into doses according to special cells;

• mandatory doctor's indication for the use of the drug;
• quite high price;
• the drug is hormonal, after the procedure, it is required to thoroughly rinse the mouth and face, otherwise serious skin irritations may occur.

Folk remedies for inhalation

This is what can be used for inhalation procedures - these are extracts of medicinal herbs: sage, eucalyptus, mint, pine, fir, etc. You can buy in the form of essential oils in almost any pharmacy. Dilute a few drops with saline solution. You can breathe with such a composition both with an already existing cough, and for prevention.

Essential oils can also be added to some types of moisturizers or aroma lamps. It is very effective to add them as bath poultices.

Average price: 40-50 rubles per bottle of oil.

• low price;
• no doctor's testimony is required;
• can be used almost without contraindications, even for babies;
• preventive use.

• is not a real medicine. For effective treatment of the disease, it is better to consult a doctor. The use of special medicines may be required;
• the use of essential oils requires some kind of special device or equipment.

Chest fee number 4. Tea.

Another echo of the Soviet era. Quite an effective solution for pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as a good prophylactic agent. You will not see such tea on the shelves of hypermarkets, it is sold only in pharmacies.

Average price: 55 rubles per package.

• use during pregnancy and lactation;
• can be given from birth in the absence of individual intolerance;
• convenient form: tea bags;
• quite pleasant taste;
• prophylactic agent;
• only natural ingredients;
• long shelf life: can always be kept at home.

• is not a drug. For serious ailments, be sure to see a doctor, and not self-medicate with such tea.

Augmentin. Antibiotic.

A suspension sold in pharmacies in powder form. At home, it is necessary to fill the bottle with water to the mark, store the resulting mixture strictly in the refrigerator, using it strictly for several days in a strict dosage.

Antibiotics are potent substances, but they have many side effects. They kill the immune system, disrupt the microflora. In general, it is best to avoid using them. But there are special cases where antibiotic use is necessary. Such cases include acute bronchitis, pneumonia, whooping cough.

The antibiotic is used only as directed by a doctor!

Average price: 150 rubles per bottle.

• for dangerous viral infections or severe diseases of the lungs and bronchi, it shows high efficiency;

• antibiotics have many side effects. It is better not to resort to their use without urgent need (only a doctor can establish such a need);
• storage in a refrigerator, shelf life - several days.

Other drug groups

Faringosept. Pills

Many adults know this ailment firsthand: nothing hurts, but it tickles and tickles in the throat all the time. This leads to the need to constantly cough up phlegm, spit it out, clear the throat in the morning, and the inability to speak for a long time.

There can be many reasons for this perspiration: chronic tonsillitis, pharyngitis, COPD (especially in smokers), harmful working conditions, poor ecology, increased stomach acidity, fungal diseases of the throat (candidiasis).

Active ingredient: ambazon monohydrate.

Average price: 120 rubles for 20 tablets.

• treats oral infections, staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci;
• not absorbed into the bloodstream, works "locally", can be used during pregnancy;
• affordable price.

• it is necessary to first establish the need for this drug with a doctor. To do this, it is imperative to find out in advance the cause of perspiration;
• age of application: from 3 years;
• available only in tablets, which is not always convenient for children.

Suprastin

Sometimes no remedy helps with coughing. And the cough itself is dry, and manifests itself in certain places or as a reaction to certain influences (smoke, dust, pollen, etc.). You may have an allergic cough.

Suprastin is one of the most popular and effective medicines for allergic cough. Its main action is not expectorant or thinning, but antihistamine, i.e. eliminating the allergic reaction itself.

Active ingredient: chloropyramine hydrochloride.

Average price: 150 rubles per pack.

• affordable price;
• high efficiency;
• application for children from a month.

• should not be taken during pregnancy and lactation;
• release only in tablets (children need to be dissolved or added to food).

Zyrtec. Tablets and drops.

Another powerful drug for allergic coughs. Compared with Suprastin, it has one indisputable advantage: it is produced not only in tablets, but also in drops. Which makes it convenient for treating children.

Active ingredient: cetirizine.

Average price: 220 rubles per bottle.

• high efficiency;
• release in drops - very convenient to give to children.

• relatively high price.

Remember that if you have any type of cough, you should first see your doctor. What may at first glance seem like an innocent household trifle may well turn out to be a sign of some serious illness.