Coughing with phlegm is a reflex of the body to expel phlegm from the respiratory system and, therefore, should not be avoided with medications that inhibit the elimination of phlegm, but with medications that make the phlegm more liquid and easier to eliminate and that promote its expulsion, in order to treat the cough more quickly and effectively.
Generally, the expectorant active substances used in children are the same as those used by adults, however, pediatric formulas are prepared in lower doses. Most of the packages of these medications mention “child use”, “pediatric use” or “children”, to be easier to identify.
Before giving the syrup to the child, it is important to take the child to the pediatrician, so that the most suitable expectorant can be prescribed individually and to identify what may be causing the cough. Find out what each color of phlegm can mean.
Some of the drugs indicated to treat cough with phlegm are:
1. Ambroxol
Ambroxol for children helps make phlegm thinner, making it easier to eliminate, and can be found as a 15mg/5mL pediatric syrup or 7.5mg/mL oral solution for children 2 years and older, as generic or with the trade names Mucosolvan or Sedavan.
Ambroxol drops or syrup are not recommended for children under 2 years of age.
How to use
Doses of pediatric ambroxol depend on age or weight and the intended pharmaceutical form, drops or syrup, and include:
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Presentation |
Recommended dose |
How to use |
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|---|---|---|---|
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orally |
Ambroxol syrup (15 mg/ml) |
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Take it orally, using the measuring cup provided in the package. |
| Ambroxol solution in drops 7.5 mg/mL |
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Take it orally, preferably during a meal, being recommended to dilute the drops in water, fruit juice, milk or tea, for example. |
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by inhalation |
Ambroxol solution in drops 7.5 mg/mL |
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Add the drops mixed in saline solution, in a ratio of 1:1, that is, the same amount of drops and saline solution must be placed in all types of modern inhaler, however, steam inhaler should not be used. |
Doses of ambroxol drops or pediatric syrup can also be calculated by the pediatrician considering the child’s weight.
Contraindications
Ambroxol should not be used by children who are allergic to ambroxol or any of the other ingredients in the formula and should only be given to children under 2 years of age if advised by a doctor.
Possible side effects
Although it is generally well tolerated, ambroxol can cause some side effects such as altered taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn or poor digestion.
2. Acetylcysteine
Acetylcysteine for children helps relieve cough, as it works by making the phlegm more fluid and facilitating its elimination, and it is available as a 20mg/mL pediatric syrup, as generic or under the trade names Fluimucil or Cisteil.
How to use
Acetylcysteine syrup should be taken orally, using the measuring cup provided in the package. The normally recommended doses are:
- Children from 2 to 4 years old: the recommended dose is 5 ml, 2 to 3 times a day, as instructed by the pediatrician;
- Children over 4 years old: the recommended dose is 5 ml, 3 to 4 times a day, as instructed by the pediatrician.
Treatment time with pediatric acetylcysteine syrup should be advised by the pediatrician and is usually 5 to 10 days.
Contraindications
Acetylcysteine should not be used by children who are allergic to acetylcysteine or any other ingredient in the formula and in children under the age of 2 years, unless recommended by the doctor.
Possible side effects
Some of the most common side effects that may occur during treatment with acetylcysteine are gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
3. Bromhexine
Bromhexine helps to dissolve phlegm, allowing it to be eliminated more easily, and is available as drops or 4mg/5ml children’s syrup and can be found generically or under the trade names Bisolvon or Pulmed.
How to use
Doses of infant bromhexine depend on age or weight and the intended pharmaceutical form, drops or syrup, and include:
|
Presentation |
Recommended dose |
How to use |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
orally |
Bromhexine syrup (4mg/5ml) |
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Take it orally, using the measuring cup provided in the package. |
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Bromhexine solution drops (2 mg/ml) |
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Take it orally, as per medical recommendation. |
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by inhalation |
Bromhexine solution drops (2 mg/ml) |
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Add the drops mixed in saline solution, at a ratio of 1:1, that is, the same amount of drops and saline solution should be added, it is recommended to heat the bromhexine bottle before use, rubbing it between your hands, so that it reaches body temperature. It is important to use the inhalation solution with bromhexine drops immediately after preparation. |
Treatment time with bromhexine syrup or drops should be advised by the pediatrician.
Contraindications
This medicine should not be used by children who are allergic to bromhexine or any of the other ingredients in the formula and by children under 2 years of age.
Also, bromhexine syrup should not be used by children who have fructose intolerance.
Possible side effects
Some of the side effects that may occur during treatment with bromhexine are nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
4. Carbocysteine
Carbocysteine is an expectorant medicine that facilitates the elimination of phlegm and can be found in the form of 20mg/mL baby syrup, as generic or under the trade name Mucofan.
How to use
Carbocysteine should be taken orally and should not be used by children under 2 years of age.
To use carbocysteine syrup for children, use the measuring cup provided in the package. The dose normally recommended for children between 2 and 12 years of age is 0.25 mL of syrup for each kg of body weight, which is equivalent to 5 mg of carbocysteine per kg of weight, 3 times a day, or as directed by the pediatrician.
The duration of treatment with infant carbocysteine syrup should be advised by the pediatrician.
Contraindications
This medicine should not be used by children who are allergic to carbocysteine or any other ingredient in the formula and by children under 2 years of age.
Side effects
Some of the most common side effects that can occur during treatment with carbocysteine are gastrointestinal disturbances, such as nausea, diarrhea and gastric discomfort.
5. Guaifenesin
Guaifenesin is an expectorant that works by making the phlegm thinner, which facilitates its elimination and is available in the form of 100 mg/15 ml children’s syrup, as generic or under the trade name Transpulmin honey children’s syrup.
How to use
To use guaifenesin syrup for children, use the measuring cup provided in the package. Doses depend on the child’s age or weight, and include:
- Children from 2 to 6 years old: the recommended dose is 7.5 mL (50 mg) every 4 hours, that is, 1 dose every 6 hours, or as instructed by the pediatrician;
- Children from 6 to 12 years old: the recommended dose is 15 mL (100 mg) every 4 hours, that is, 1 dose every 6 hours, or as instructed by the pediatrician.
The maximum daily administration limit of the drug for children is 6 doses per day, that is, for children between 2 and 6 years old it should not exceed 300 mg per day, and for children aged 6 to 12 years the maximum dose is 600 mg per day.
The duration of treatment with guaifenesin syrup for children should always be guided by the pediatrician.
Contraindications
This medicine should not be used by children who are allergic to guaifenesin or any other ingredient in the formula and by children under 2 years of age.
Also, this syrup should be used with caution by diabetic children as it contains sugar.
Possible side effects
Some of the side effects that may occur during treatment with guaifenesin are gastrointestinal disturbances, such as nausea, diarrhea, gastric discomfort, drowsiness, or headache.
6. Acebrophyllin
Acebrophylline is a drug that helps eliminate phlegm more easily and is available as a 5 mg/mL pediatric syrup as a generic or under the trade names Brondilat or Filinar.
How to use
Pediatric Acebrophilin Syrup is indicated for children from 2 years of age, and should be taken orally, using the 10 mL measuring cup provided in the package. The normally recommended doses are:
- Children from 2 to 3 years old: the recommended dose is 2 mg per kg of body weight per day, divided into two administrations, every 12 hours, or as directed by the pediatrician;
- Children from 3 to 6 years old: the recommended dose is half a measuring cup, which corresponds to 5 mL of syrup every 12 hours, or as instructed by the pediatrician;
- Children from 6 to 12 years old: the recommended dose is 1 measuring cup, which corresponds to 10 mL of syrup, every 12 hours, or as instructed by the pediatrician;
- Adolescents from 12 years old: the recommended dose is 1 measuring cup, which corresponds to 10 mL of syrup, every 12 hours, or as instructed by the pediatrician.
The duration of treatment with pediatric acebrophilin syrup should be advised by the pediatrician.
Contraindications
This syrup should not be used by children who are allergic to acebrophilin or any of the other ingredients in the formula, or by children with severe liver, kidney or cardiovascular disease, active peptic ulcer or a history of seizures.
Furthermore, it should also not be used on children under 2 years of age.
Possible side effects
Some of the side effects that may occur during treatment with acebrophilin infant syrup are constipation, diarrhea, excessive salivation, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, generalized itching, or excessive tiredness.
Also learn about some natural remedies that can help relieve your cough.
