When treating cough in children, it is not appropriate to take mucolytic (sputum-producing) and antitussive drugs together.
Oku.Az This was stated by Russian otorhinolaryngologist Daria Tsap, referring to gazeta.ru. She noted that such cases can lead to asphyxiation.
Cough remedies, including syrups, are divided into two groups: antitussives and mucolytics. The former reduce the urge to cough by affecting the cough center and cough receptors in the cerebral cortex. Mucolytics, on the other hand, stimulate the production of sputum and cleanse the bronchi, ensuring its rapid removal from the body.
“It should be noted that it is impossible to combine antitussives and mucolytics. In this case, the sputum will be diluted, but the child will not be able to cough it up due to the blockage of the cough reflex. As a result, the liquid will come out and begin to accumulate in the bronchi. In addition, mucolytics should not be given to children under six years of age because of their structure – when the mucus is diluted, the child may suffocate on his own sputum,” the doctor said.
According to him, there is an opinion among parents that a dry cough should first turn into a wet cough and only then should expectoration begin.
“This treatment regimen is not always justified, especially in children and adolescents over 12 years of age. Dry cough is more likely to occur mainly due to viruses. In this case, it is better to immediately prevent the cough at the beginning and not to make it wet,” the expert explained.
