Bronchicum for cough

This medicine is of plant origin - the active substance of all its forms is an extract of the medicinal herb thyme or common thyme, popularly called the Mother of God's herb. Its medicinal properties have been highly appreciated by both traditional and evidence-based medicine. Many pharmaceutical companies produce medicines based on this herb. One of them is Bronchicum for cough. The medicine with this name is produced at the pharmaceutical plants of the international corporation Sanofi with French roots. The plants are located in different countries: Germany, Poland, Russia and some others, so the country of manufacture may be different.

The name itself tells the consumer what effect is expected to be obtained from using the drug, that is, Bronchicum for what kind of cough?

The drug in any form helps to liquefy viscous bronchial secretions, liquefies them and facilitates expectoration. That is, it turns a dry cough into a productive one. In addition, thyme has a pronounced antimicrobial and wound-healing effect, which helps to sanitize the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and restore its integrity damaged by pathogenic microorganisms, and also relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchi, which also helps to quickly remove phlegm and stop coughing. [ 1 ]

Indications Bronchicum for cough

Cough in acute respiratory infections of any origin and location, elimination of sputum.

Release form

The active ingredient in different forms of the drug is the same, therefore, the effect is also expected to be similar. Which form should you choose? Firstly, it is a matter of taste and preference. Some people prefer to suck on a lozenge, while others prefer to quickly swallow a spoonful of syrup. In addition, when choosing a form of the drug, you need to pay attention to the additional components. They are slightly different and can cause an allergic reaction in someone, so you need to take into account individual tolerance when choosing a form of the drug.

Bronchicum C syrup is packaged in bottles. It is reddish-brown in color with a slight shine, has a transparent consistency and an unobtrusive honey aroma. Per 100 ml of syrup there are 15 g of the active substance. The estrogens are: 10% ammonia solution (one part); 85% glycerin (20 parts); 90% ethanol (70 parts); purified water (109 parts).

In addition, the syrup contains the following auxiliary substances that improve the taste and preserve the pharmacodynamic properties of the active ingredient, as well as promote its faster entry into the systemic bloodstream: preservative E211 - sodium salt of benzoic acid; flavorings and flavor enhancers: rose oil, honey and cherry (concentrated cherry juice); liquid sweeteners: invert sugar (glucose and fructose in the form of syrup, 50:50), glucose solution, sugar syrup 67% (sucrose), antioxidant E330 (citric acid monohydrate), distilled water.

Bronchicum C lozenges have the same active ingredients and extractants in the same proportions. They differ in the composition of auxiliary components: sweetener-preservative: sucrose; complexing agent polyvinylpyrrolidone; L-menthol; cineole (eucalyptol); gum arabic E414, stearic acid, enterosorbent (colloidal silicon dioxide), stabilizer (magnesium stearate E572).

Bronchicum cough elixir also has a liquid form and a two-component complex of active substances. In addition to thyme extract, the composition includes primrose herb extract. The composition of the extractants is the same, only the total concentration of ethanol is slightly lower. There are also fewer auxiliary ingredients - preservative E211 - sodium salt of benzoic acid; sweetener - glucose syrup, sucrose, fructose and distilled water.

When Bronchicum cough tablets are mentioned, they mean lozenges – the only solid form of the drug.

Pharmacodynamics

The pharmacological properties of all forms of Bronchicum are determined by the action of the substances included in the drug.

Thyme extract is able to suppress pathogenic microflora, and not only bacterial. It has antiparasitic and fungicidal activity, in addition, it is a mild anesthetic. Contains volatile substances - essential oils. All this, coupled with the ability to liquefy the secretion, which is abundantly secreted in the respiratory tract during inflammation, makes it valuable for acute respiratory viral infections, tracheitis, bronchitis, accompanied by a cough. Its secretolytic properties and the ability to relieve spasms of smooth muscles allow you to activate the process of coughing and clearing the respiratory tract of viscous mucus. Thyme extract causes a direct expectorant effect by affecting the epithelial surface of the bronchi, increasing the activity of the cilia. It also irritates the vagus nerve, which affects the gastric mucosa and increases pulmonary excretion of mucus. [ 2 ]

The elixir also contains primrose extract, which maintains a local irritant effect on the epithelium of the stomach and stimulates reflex coughing. [ 3 ]

Auxiliary ingredients improve the taste of the preparations (they muffle the bitterness of thyme) and preserve the properties of the active components in liquid and solid form, while also enhancing the conductive effect. [ 4 ]

Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetic studies of herbal preparations are not conducted.

Dosing and administration

Bronchicum C syrup is recommended to be taken twice or three times a day (depending on age) after meals. The dose for patients who have reached the age of twelve is two measuring spoons of 5 ml (equivalent to a teaspoon) after breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Pediatric dosage: from six months to one year, a single dose of 2.5 ml (1/2 measuring spoon) is given, the frequency of administration at this age is twice a day, in the morning and in the evening; from one to two years, the same dose is prescribed three times a day; from two full years to six, a whole measuring spoon (5 ml) is given after morning and evening meals; from six full years to 12, after breakfast, lunch and dinner, the child receives a dose equal to 5 ml or one measuring spoon of the drug. The dose is taken at equal intervals: twice a day - every 12 hours, three times a day - every eight.

Bronchicum C, lozenges, after reaching the age of twelve are used in an adult dosage of one to two pieces three times a day after meals; children over six years old but under 12 are given one lozenge to dissolve with the same frequency.

The elixir is taken using a graduated measuring cup. The adult dose can be given to children who have reached the age of five. It is 7.5 ml, the maximum daily dose is 30 ml of elixir (four doses). Children over one year of age up to five years of age are given a maximum of 15 ml per day. This dose is divided into six doses of 2.5 ml. In infancy (from six months), give six times 1 ml.

The recommended duration of treatment is no more than two weeks. The doctor may extend this period, but it is not recommended to do so on your own.

• Application for children

Liquid forms (syrup and elixir) can be prescribed to a child from six months of age, solid forms (lozenges) – from six years of age.

Use Bronchicum for cough during pregnancy

Thyme and preparations based on it are not prescribed to pregnant and lactating women.

Contraindications

Individual sensitization to any of the main or additional ingredients of the drug.

Congenital enzymatic deficiency that interferes with the breakdown of fructose, glucose, and sucrose.

Decompensated cardiovascular, hepatic, renal failure.

Chronic alcoholism.

The first six months of life for syrup and six years for lozenges.

Only on medical advice and with caution can the drugs be taken by people with liver and central nervous system pathologies, including traumatic brain injuries, as well as diabetics.

Side effects Bronchicum for cough

Such effects are extremely rare, but there may be an allergy in the form of rashes, hyperemia and/or swelling, including anaphylactic shock.

Dyspeptic symptoms may be observed, especially in the youngest. Mostly, this is vomiting and diarrhea. Older children may complain of nausea and pain as a result of spasms of the gastrointestinal tract muscles.

Overdose

If the dose of any drug is exceeded, side effects may occur. If a dose is missed, then the next time a single dose is taken, without trying to compensate for the missed dose by increasing the dose. In case of taking the entire 100-milliliter bottle, it should be taken into account that 4.2 g (elixir) or 4.9 g (syrup) of ethanol will enter the body.

Interactions with other drugs

Not installed.

Bronchicum preparations should be taken taking into account the information on the packaging, which sets out the storage conditions and expiration date. Store the preparation in a place protected from light, at a positive temperature of no more than 25℃. In hot weather, it can be put in the refrigerator. The specified shelf life of all forms is three years, after opening the bottle with syrup or elixir - six months.

Analogues

There are many herbal secretolytic drugs that can replace Bronchicum for cough. Their forms are also very different. Liquid products: Doctor Theis Bronchosept (thyme extract and anise seed oil); Tussamag or Bronchoplant drops with the same thyme extract. Doctors rate the effectiveness of these drugs approximately the same. However, there are also inexpensive domestic Pertussin (the same thyme extract) orlicorice root syrup that have long been familiar to us since childhood.

Various synthetic expectorants may also be prescribed.

Reviews of all secretolytic drugs are approximately the same. Most note that their cough has gone away. About a fifth of consumers note that they have not noticed any effect from their use. Many doctors and patients believe that taking expectorants is not necessary; it is quite possible to get by with humidifying the air and drinking frequently. The cough will go away at about the same speed as when taking expectorants.