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Syrups for dry cough: instructions for use
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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As a result of irritation in the respiratory tract, a cough appears. It can be dry or wet. According to experts, special attention should be paid to a dry cough. Since it does not promote the release of sputum and does not remove harmful inflammation products from the body.
To ease the course of the disease, dry cough syrups are prescribed. The main tasks of these drugs are: relieving spasms and thinning phlegm. Syrups are often prescribed to small children, because it is much more difficult for them to take a pill.
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Indications dry cough syrups
There are many reasons that provoke the occurrence of a dry cough. Before starting treatment, you should consult a specialist. After examination, he can prescribe an effective and inexpensive syrup for dry cough. The need to take medications arises when:
- asthma, bronchitis, lung tumors;
- bronchospasm;
- chronic cough of smokers;
- allergic cough;
- irritations of the respiratory system.
Thanks to the large selection of syrups, you can choose a drug that will be effective at any stage of the inflammatory process. Also, syrups are prescribed for residual cough. This phenomenon occurs with transferred bronchitis. If you do not take syrups, the cough may not go away for a month.
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Release form
The list is created for general familiarization with existing modern drugs, the main task of which is to transform unproductive cough into productive one.
List and names of dry cough syrups
Althea syrup. Refers to herbal syrups for dry cough and other ENT diseases. The drug is characterized not only by anti-inflammatory, but also by expectorant effect. It is developed on the basis of the plant root. The composition also includes sodium benzoate, purified water and sucrose.
Indications for use - prolonged pathology of the respiratory system. In the presence of hypersensitivity to the components of the syrup, intolerance of the body to fructose or glucose-galactose malabsorption, it is prohibited to use this syrup.
Method of administration and dosage: children under one year are prescribed one teaspoon of the drug dissolved in one glass of warm water. For adults and children over 12 years of age - a tablespoon of the drug per 0.5 liters of water. The syrup is taken after meals. There should be 4-5 doses per day. The duration of treatment is approximately two weeks.
Licorice syrup. One of the most common drugs for treating cough. An expectorant that facilitates the process of removing phlegm. Due to the properties of the main component - licorice root, the drug has a number of contraindications for use:
- presence of viscous sputum;
- kidney dysfunction;
- obesity grade 3 or 4;
- hypertension;
- diabetes mellitus;
- individual intolerance.
The daily dose of syrup for children from one to three years old is no more than 20 ml; from 4 to 9 years old – 7.5 ml-22.5 ml; from 10 to 12 years old – 22.5-40 ml; adults are prescribed from 45 to 60 milliliters. The drug does not need to be diluted, it is enough to drink plenty of warm water. The frequency of administration is 3-4 times a day.
Omnitus. The main component of the drug is butamirate. The drug helps to suppress the effects on the cough center and reduce the cough reflex. Contraindications are the period of breastfeeding, the first trimester of pregnancy and individual intolerance to the components. Also, the drug is not prescribed to children under 3 years of age.
The daily dose depends on age: children from 3 to 6 years old weighing less than 22 kg are prescribed 10 ml 3-4 times a day; from 6 to 9 years old (22-30 kg) – 15 ml of syrup; adults are recommended to take 30 ml.
Side effects may include mild dizziness, nausea, and intestinal upset.
Stodal. A homeopathic medicine that helps get rid of dry cough. Dosage: children under 12 years old – 5 ml of syrup 2 times a day; adults – 15 ml three times a day. The course of treatment depends on the complexity of the disease and is determined by a specialist.
There is no information on overdose. To avoid unwanted effects, do not self-prescribe doses.
Dry cough syrups for children
Cough is one of the most common symptoms in children regardless of age. It can be wet or dry and have an allergic, bacterial or viral nature. Severe coughing attacks exhaust children. In addition, a dry cough is very dangerous. It is accompanied by severe headaches, high fever, and enlarged lymph nodes. When the first symptoms appear, medical help is needed.
Modern medicine offers many effective syrups that help relieve coughing fits and thin mucus. The choice of drug depends on the child's age. Do not self-medicate. Only a qualified specialist can select the most effective remedy that will not harm the baby.
The most effective and safe syrup for dry cough up to 1 year is Gedelix. It is based on plant components and has an antispasmodic effect. The active element of the syrup is ivy extract. Within a few days, coughing attacks will noticeably decrease.
According to the instructions, children under one year of age should take the drug once a day, 2.5 ml. However, the doctor may prescribe a different dosage, depending on the baby's condition.
The recommended single dose for children aged 1 to 4 years is 2.5 ml (three times a day); for children aged 4 to 10 years – 2.5 ml (4 times a day); for adults – 5 ml (3 times a day).
Storage conditions: the drug should be stored out of the reach of small children at a temperature of 5 to 25°C. A closed bottle can be stored for 4 years. After opening, it can be taken for 6 months.
Ambrobene is a syrup for dry cough from one year. The drug is prescribed for acute bronchitis, asthma, and respiratory pathologies. The syrup helps increase mucociliary transport of sputum.
To take the medicine, it is recommended to use a special measuring cup: children from one to two years old - 2.5 ml (half a cup) twice a day; 2-6 years - 0.5 cup three times a day; 6-12 years - 5 ml two/three times a day. The medicine can also be taken by adults. A single dose is 10 ml (two cups) 3 times a day. The syrup is taken after meals. For maximum effectiveness, it is advisable to drink plenty of fluids during treatment.
Shelf life is 5 years. An open bottle can be stored for a year. After this period, the use of the syrup is strictly prohibited.
Syrups for dry cough for children over 2 years old:
- Gerbion. The drug helps relieve inflammation in the respiratory tract, providing an antibacterial and enveloping effect. It is based on an aqueous extract of plantain. The drug is taken three times a day. Children from 2 to 10 years old - 5 ml, adults - 10 ml. Taking the syrup does not depend on food intake;
- Linkas. Developed on the basis of plant components. For children under 3 years old, the recommended single dose is 0.5 teaspoon (3 times a day); from 3 to 8 years old - a teaspoon (three times a day); 8-18 years - a teaspoon (4 times); adults - 2 teaspoons (3 times);
- Pertussin. It is an expectorant. Active ingredients are thyme extract and potassium bromide. The drug soothes the central nervous system and suppresses coughing fits. Children under 3 years of age are prescribed half a teaspoon of syrup three times a day. Regarding interactions with other drugs, it is worth noting that the drug is prohibited from being taken with syrups that are used to treat wet coughs.
Syrups for dry cough for children over 3 years old:
- Doctor Mom. Improves cough productivity, facilitates the process of expectoration. Dosage: children over 3 years old are recommended to take 2.5 ml of the drug three times a day after meals, if necessary, the syrup can be diluted with a small amount of warm water; adults - 1 measuring cup three times a day;
- Sinekod. The active substance of the drug is butamirate. The syrup has a bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effect. The drug is taken three times a day: children from 3 to 6 years old - 5 ml; from 6 to 12 - 10 ml; from 12 - 15 ml. According to reviews, the syrup helps relieve cough and removes phlegm in the shortest possible time;
- Lazolvan. The active ingredient is ambroxol hydrochloride. Children aged 3 to 7 years are recommended to take 2.5 ml of syrup three times a day; aged 7 to 12 years – 10 ml (5 ml 2/3 times a day); aged 12 years and over – 30 ml (10 ml 3 times a day).
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Dry cough syrups for adults
Today, many effective medicines are produced to combat cough. Syrups occupy leading positions. They can be purchased without a prescription, they have a pleasant aroma and taste.
The most popular modern drugs are:
- Ascoril. The drug contains guaifenesin, salbutamol, bromhexidine. Eliminates spasms, has an antitussive effect. Doses: adults - 10 ml of the drug three times a day; children from 6 to 12 years old - 5/10 ml 3 times a day; children under six years old - 5 ml 3 times a day;
- Codelac. The substances of the drug penetrate the infected organism and begin to act after half an hour. It helps to stimulate the mucous secretion of the bronchi, which leads to the removal of sputum. Patients who represent the adult age group take 3 teaspoons of syrup at a time. The frequency of administration is 4 times a day. It is strictly forbidden to dilute the drug or drink it with water. The syrup is prescribed to children 3-6 years old - a teaspoon three times a day; 6-12 years old - 2 teaspoons 3 times, over 12 years old - 3 teaspoons;
- Plantain syrup is an old, proven remedy that still helps to get rid of dangerous dry cough. The active ingredients of the syrup destroy pathogenic bacteria and remove phlegm. The syrup is used regardless of food intake. Dosage: adults - two teaspoons 3/5 times a day; children from 7 to 14 years old - the same amount of the drug, but three times a day; from 2 to 7 years old - one teaspoon.
Dry cough requires mandatory treatment. To speed up the recovery process and choose effective methods of therapy, you should undergo an examination.
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Pharmacodynamics
The main task of syrups is to soften unproductive cough and remove phlegm. The drugs have a calming effect, speed up the recovery process and relieve coughing fits. They activate the secretory function of the bronchial glands.
Syrups thin mucus by affecting the protein structure and breaking down the bonds in the mucus secretion. As a result, the mucus becomes more liquid.
It is worth considering that these drugs are responsible for changing the nature of mucus. To achieve maximum effect, you should drink a lot of fluids. This promotes the formation of sputum and its subsequent removal. It is strictly forbidden to take syrups for wet and dry cough at the same time.
Modern medicine offers a fairly large selection of syrups and it is difficult for a person who does not have knowledge and skills in the field of medicine to choose the most effective drugs.
According to reviews from doctors and patients, there are a number of drugs that have proven themselves to be the best and are the most popular. However, you should not self-medicate. Before buying a drug, you need to undergo an examination and get recommendations from your doctor.
Pharmacokinetics
There are several pharmacokinetic processes: absorption, distribution and excretion from the body. The absorption of drugs begins after they enter the intestine. Then the molecules penetrate the blood. The drug molecules are distributed through the blood, tissue cells and intercellular fluid.
Molecules of syrups are excreted from the body through urine, sweat, saliva or the digestive system, depending on the main active substance:
- ambroxol. It is absorbed in the shortest possible time and is excreted in urine;
- codeine. It is characterized by rapid absorption. After 20-30 minutes after taking it begins to block a coughing fit. The transformation process occurs in the liver, and elimination from the body begins after 2-3 hours;
- bromhexine. 30 minutes after administration, the absorption of the substance reaches 99%. It accumulates in fatty tissue, kidneys, and liver. After 1-2 hours, the gradual elimination of the substance begins.
Use dry cough syrups during pregnancy
When choosing a drug, you should pay attention to its use during pregnancy. The components of some drugs can negatively affect the condition of the fetus or the expectant mother. Therefore, it is better to consult with your doctor.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Syrups for dry cough: instructions for use" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.