- Pharmacy expectorants
- 1. Ambroxol
- 2. Bromhexine
- 3. Acetylcysteine
- 4. Carbocysteine
- 5. Guaifenesina
- Natural expectorants
- Homemade expectorants
- 1. Onion and honey syrup
- 2. Thyme, licorice and anise syrups
Expectorant syrups for children should only be used if recommended by the doctor, especially in babies and children under 2 years of age.
These drugs help to fluidize and eliminate phlegm, treating cough with expectoration more quickly and can be purchased in pharmacies, as well as herbal syrups, which are also very effective.
Some home remedies based on honey, thyme, anise and licorice can also assist in the treatment and can be easily prepared at home.
Pharmacy expectorants
Some of the pharmacy expectorants that the doctor may prescribe are:
1. Ambroxol
Ambroxol is a substance that helps in the expectoration of the airways, relieves cough and clears the bronchi and, due to its mild local anesthetic effect, also relieves the throat irritated by cough. This medicine starts to take effect about 2 hours after ingestion.
For children, you should choose the 15 mg / 5mL infant syrup or 7.5mg / mL drop solution, also known as Mucosolvan Pediatric Syrup or drops, the recommended dosage being as follows:
Ambroxol syrup 15mg / 5 mL:
- Children under 2 years: 2.5 mL, 2 times a day; Children 2 to 5 years: 2.5 mL, 3 times a day; Children 6 to 12 years: 5 mL, 3 times a day.
Ambroxol drops 7.5mg / mL:
- Children under 2 years: 1 mL (25 drops), 2 times a day; Children aged 2 to 5 years: 1 mL (25 drops), 3 times a day; Children aged 6 to 12 years: 2 mL (50 drops), 3 times a day.
The drops can be dissolved in water, with or without food.
2. Bromhexine
Bromhexine fluidizes and dissolves secretions and facilitates their elimination, relieving breathing and reducing the cough reflex. This remedy starts to take effect about 5 hours after oral administration.
For children, bromhexine in 4mg / 5mL syrup, also known as Bisolvon Expectorante Infantil or Bisolvon solution in 2mg / mL drops, should be chosen, with the following recommended dosage:
Bromhexine syrup 4mg / 5mL:
- Children from 2 to 6 years: 2.5 mL, 3 times a day; Children from 6 to 12 years old: 5 mL, 3 times a day.
Bromhexine drops 2mg / mL:
- Children from 2 to 6 years: 20 drops, 3 times a day; Children from 6 to 12 years: 2 mL, 3 times a day.
Bromhexine is not recommended for babies and children under 2 years of age. Know the contraindications and side effects of this medication.
3. Acetylcysteine
Acetylcysteine has a fluidizing action on mucous secretions and also helps in cleaning the bronchi and eliminating mucus. In addition it also has an antioxidant action.
For children, one should opt for acetylcysteine in 20mg / mL syrup, also known as Fluimucil Pediatric Syrup, with the recommended dosage of 5mL, 2 to 3 times a day, for children older than 2 years. This medicine is not recommended for babies and children under 2 years of age.
4. Carbocysteine
Carbocysteine works by improving mucociliary clearance and reducing the viscosity of respiratory tract secretions, facilitating their elimination. Carbocysteine begins to take effect about 1 to 2 hours after administration.
For children, one should opt for carbocysteine in 20mg / mL syrup, also known as Mucofan Pediatric Syrup, with the recommended dosage of 0.25 mL per kg of body weight, 3 times a day, for children over the age of 2 years.
This medication is not recommended for babies and children under 2 years of age and should be used with caution in children under 5 years of age.
5. Guaifenesina
Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps to fluidize and eliminate expectoration in productive coughs. Thus, phlegm is expelled more easily. This remedy has a rapid action and begins to take effect about 1 hour after oral administration.
For children, the recommended dosage for guaifenesin syrup is as follows:
- Children from 2 to 6 years old: 5mL every 4 hours. Children from 6 to 12 years old: 7.5mL every 4 hours.
This medicine is contraindicated for children under 2 years of age.
Natural expectorants
Herbal medicines with bronchodilator and / or expectorant action are also effective in relieving cough with expectoration, as is the case with Herbarium's Guaco syrup or Hedera helix syrup, such as Hederax, Havelair or Abrilar syrup, for example. Learn how to take Abrilar.
Melagrião is also an example of a herbal medicine that has different plant extracts in its composition, also effective in treating cough with phlegm. Learn how to use the Melagrião.
These drugs should not be used on babies and children under 2 years old, unless recommended by the doctor.
Homemade expectorants
1. Onion and honey syrup
The resins of the onion have an expectorant and antimicrobial action and honey helps to loosen the expectoration and soothe the cough.
Ingredients
- 1 large onion; honey to taste
Method of preparation
Chop the onion into small pieces, cover with honey and heat in a covered pan over low heat for about 40 minutes. This mixture must be kept in a glass bottle, in the refrigerator. Children should take about 2 dessert spoons of the syrup during the day, for 7 to 10 days.
2. Thyme, licorice and anise syrups
Thyme, licorice root and anise seeds help to loosen sputum and relax the respiratory tract, and honey helps to soothe an irritated throat.
Ingredients
- 500 mL of water; 1 tablespoon of anise seeds; 1 tablespoon of dried licorice root; 1 tablespoon of dry thyme; 250 mL of honey.
Method of preparation
Boil anise seeds and licorice root in water, in a covered pan, for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, add the thyme, cover and leave to infuse until cool and then strain and add the honey, heating the mixture to dissolve the honey.
This syrup can be kept in a glass bottle in the refrigerator for 3 months. A teaspoon can be used for children whenever necessary.
