The most effective cough antibiotics for children: TOP 10

To whom and when are antibacterial drugs prescribed for cough?

Antibiotics for children with cough and runny nose are used if clinical tests confirm the presence of bacterial flora in the ENT organs. They do not affect the viral infection and disrupt the intestinal microflora, which reduces overall immunity.

Therefore, antibiotic therapy should only be prescribed by a doctor.

What diseases require antibiotics:

• laryngitis;
• tonsillitis (tonsillitis);
• pulmonary tuberculosis;
• pneumonia (pneumonia);
• bronchitis;
• purulent tracheitis;
• laryngotracheitis;
• pleurisy.

The pediatrician will tell you which antibiotic is best to give to a child with a severe cough. The choice of medications is influenced by age, sensitivity of the microbial flora, and localization of inflammation.

Treatment of laryngitis or bronchitis in children without antibiotics is dangerous due to complications - inflammation of the epiglottic cartilage, bronchial abscess.

Review of antibiotics for children

A doctor can choose cough antibiotics for children 2 years of age and older, who does this based on tests to determine the sensitivity of the microflora. First, a minimally effective drug (penicillins) is given; if there is no benefit from it, a stronger one (cephalosporins) is used. In severe cases of the disease, intramuscular or intravenous injections are given. Brief overview of popular drugs:

Popular cough treatments include antibiotic inhalations. The procedures help cope with the manifestations of diseases and have less effect on the microflora of the stomach. Contraindications for inhalation are severe pneumonia and tuberculosis. The procedures are carried out using a nebulizer - a device that sprays steam with a dissolved antibiotic. Particles of the drug settle on the bronchial mucosa, which speeds up treatment.

Inhalations with a mask are recommended for younger children, and with a tube for older children. It is optimal to use a compressor inhaler rather than an ultrasonic one. Cough antibiotics for children are suitable for inhalation:

1. Dioxidin - effectively copes with staphylococci, streptococci, pyogenic bacteria. Available in the form of a solution, it is indicated for use in children over 2 years of age. A solution of 0.5% is mixed with saline in a ratio of 1:2, 1% - in a ratio of 1:4. For children under 6 years old, the procedure is performed for a minute, for children under 12 years old – 2 minutes. Two inhalations can be performed per day with an interval of 12 hours.
2. Ceftriaxone - sold in bottles with dry powder, which is diluted with 5 ml of purified water. You can inhale the aerosol for no longer than five minutes.
3. Streptomycin is an antibiotic from the aminoglycoside group that helps with pneumonia, bronchitis, and whooping cough. The dry powder is diluted in the proportion of 4 ml of liquid per 1 g of the drug. Inhalation lasts 1-2 minutes.

Ceftriaxone can also be used in the form of injections if the course of the disease is very severe. Its contraindications are newborn age, hypersensitivity to beta-lactams, colitis. The drug can cause allergies, phlebitis at the injection site, diarrhea, and nosebleeds. Adolescents over 12 years of age are administered 1 g of medication twice a day, children younger - 40-80 mg per kg of body weight per day in two doses. The course lasts 5-10 days.

Klacid

This drug helps cope with bacterial cough in children, bronchitis, pneumonia caused by mycoplasma, chlamydia . The medication is presented in powder format for preparing a suspension. The active substance clarithromycin belongs to the class of macrolides, suppresses the processes of protein synthesis by bacteria, and is not destroyed by their enzymes.

Contraindications for the drug are porphyria and kidney failure. Side effects of the drug include allergies, disruption of the digestive tract, anxiety, and reactive pancreatitis. The suspension is prescribed from six months at 7.5 mg per kg of body weight twice a day for a course of 7-10 days. Patients over 12 years of age are given tablets. Bronchitis and pneumonia can be treated for up to three weeks.

Ospamox

A semi-synthetic antimicrobial agent from the penicillin group contains amoxicillin, which has a bactericidal effect on pathogenic flora and inhibits the synthesis of the bacterial wall. The drug is not effective against microbes that secrete penicillinase. Contraindications for its use are allergies to beta-lactams, mononucleosis, bronchial asthma, and diarrhea.

Side effects of Ospamox include discoloration of tooth enamel, staining of the tongue black, tremors, convulsions, diarrhea, and candidiasis. Young children are given a suspension, over 10 years old - tablets. For moderate severity of the disease, 3-50 mg per kg of body weight is prescribed, for severe disease - up to 60 mg in 2-3 doses. Patients over 10 years of age are advised to take 500 mg every 8 hours, for severe cases - 750 mg. The course lasts 5-10 days.

Amoxiclav for a child's cough

Doctors often prescribe Amoxiclav - this is a popular antibiotic for coughs in children, which is available in tablet and powder format for making a suspension. The drug contains amoxicillin trihydrate and the potassium salt of clavulanic acid. The ingredients inhibit beta-lactamases and are effective against staphylococci, Escherichia coli, and bacteroides. Contraindications to the use of the drug are jaundice and hypersensitivity to the components.

Side effects from taking tablets and suspensions include erythematous rash, nausea, vomiting, urticaria, candidiasis, and dysbacteriosis. Children over 12 years of age are prescribed 1 tablet every 8 hours for a course of 5-14 days. The drug in the form of a suspension is used from newborn age - 20-40 mg per kg of body weight in two doses. the daily dose cannot exceed 45 mg/kg body weight in two doses.

Pantsef

This antibiotic contains cefixime, which is a cephalosporin and exhibits bactericidal activity against pathogenic microflora. The drug is available in tablet and powder format for making a suspension. Contraindications for the drug are severe kidney damage, inflammation of the intestines, diarrhea, allergies to beta-lactams, age up to six months for the suspension and up to 12 years and weighing less than 50 kg for tablets.

Side effects of Pancef include disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, increased activity of liver enzymes, allergies, dizziness, anemia, and microflora disturbances . Adolescents over 12 years of age are prescribed 200 mg of the drug twice a day or 400 mg once, children over six months of age are prescribed 8 mg/kg of body weight in two doses over a course of no more than 7-10 days.

TOP 10 antibiotics for a child’s cough

If your baby’s cough lasts more than 7 days, make an appointment with a pediatric ENT specialist or pediatrician. If a bacterial infection is suspected, an examination is carried out, which includes:

• chest x-ray;
• bronchoscopy;
• immunological blood test;
• microbiological analysis of sputum;
• antibiogram.

Antibiotics for coughs in children without fever are prescribed only after the pathogen has been identified.
Depending on the pathogenic microflora, the child is prescribed medications from the following groups:

• cephalosporins;
• macrolides;
• penicillins;
• fluoroquinolones.

Penicillins are first-line drugs that are used to combat cough in the first place. In case of allergies or ineffective therapy, antibiotics of other groups are used - macrolides, cephalosporins.

If your baby is constantly coughing, eating poorly and looks lethargic, you should take him to the pediatrician. Coughing up yellow mucus indicates a bacterial infection. Therefore, antimicrobial therapy is carried out to eliminate cough.

Suspension is the optimal dosage form of antibiotics for children under 3 years of age. Infants are not able to swallow a whole tablet or capsule, so they are given syrups or powders diluted in water.

Ecoclave

Penicillin medicine is produced in the form of a suspension and syrup for oral administration. Contains 2 active substances:

• potassium clavulanate;
• amoxicillin.

A broad-spectrum remedy is recommended for cough relief in children from birth.
Used for:

• sinusitis;
• sore throat;
• pleural empyema;
• lung abscess.

In isolated cases, the medicine provokes undesirable effects:

• nausea;
• loose stools;
• headache;
• gastritis;
• hives;
• stomatitis.

Ecoclave should be drunk for barking cough for 7-10 days. If necessary, therapy is extended to 14 days. An antibiotic is not used if the child has serious pathologies of the kidneys and liver.

Sumamed

Cough in the absence of fever is one of the signs of bacterial damage to the ENT organs. Sumamed, a syrup based on azithromycin from the group of macrolides, is suitable to eliminate it. Effective in treating children:

• pharyngitis;
• tonsillitis;
• bronchitis;
• sinusitis;
• community-acquired pneumonia;
• laryngitis.

Macrolide antibiotics are less toxic than cephalosporins or fluoroquinolones. Therefore, they are classified as first-line reserve drugs, which are used when penicillins are ineffective.

Sumamed is suitable for cough in children from 6 months.

Doctors do not prescribe Sumamed for renal or liver failure or ventricular arrhythmia.

Loprax

Cephalosporin antibiotic with cefixime destroys more than 80% of bacteria that cause respiratory infections. Loprax relieves cough caused by:

• sore throat;
• laryngitis;
• bronchitis;
• pharyngitis.

The suspension is used in pediatrics to eliminate ENT diseases in children from 6 months to 12 years.
The minimum course of antimicrobial therapy is 3 days. The drug is not prescribed for porphyria and hypersensitivity to cefixime.

The causative agents of ENT diseases are a variety of microorganisms - pneumococci, staphylococci, streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, etc. Therefore, only a pediatrician can choose the right effective antibiotic.

Macropen

To eliminate cough in a child over 3 years old, capsules and tablets are used. The list of names of drugs suitable for combating bacterial infections is considerable.

Macrolide antibiotic with midecamycin Macropen is available in tablet form. Effective against many microbes that cause:

• sinusitis;
• pharyngitis;
• tracheitis;
• bronchitis;
• whooping cough;
• diphtheria.

Macropen destroys pathogen cells, which leads to the disappearance of microbial flora. Children's cough antibiotic has almost no toxic effect on the body, therefore it is prescribed to children weighing over 30 kg. The therapeutic course takes at least 7 days.

Children under 2 years of age often experience adverse reactions - urticaria, diarrhea, general weakness, loss of appetite, skin rash. In case of undesirable effects, the drug is discarded.

Macropen is not used against cough in children with improper functioning of the kidneys or liver, as well as with hypersensitivity to midecamycin.

Clarithromycin

Tablets from the macrolide group with clarithromycin destroy bacteria that cause:

• tonsillitis;
• community-acquired pneumonia;
• Chronical bronchitis;
• laryngitis;
• sinusitis (frontal sinusitis, sinusitis);
• acute lobar pneumonia;
• laryngotracheitis.

The antibiotic is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and penetrates the respiratory tract.
It destroys bacterial cells, preventing their reproduction. Improvements are noticeable by the end of the first day of therapy. Clarithromycin is not used to relieve cough in patients under 12 years of age. The course of treatment varies from 6 to 14 days. To prevent unwanted effects, the drug cannot be combined with anticoagulants, digoxin, cyclosporine, astemizole.

Amoxil

For cough and fever in children over 4 years old, use Amoxil, a penicillin medicine. It is produced in tablets, each containing 250-500 mg of amoxicillin. The antibiotic disrupts the synthesis of cell membranes, which leads to their death.

Indications for taking Amoxil:

• pharyngitis;
• Chronical bronchitis;
• laryngitis;
• pneumonia;
• sinusitis;
• laryngotracheitis.

In most cases, therapy takes up to 7 days.
But if the cough is provoked by a streptococcal infection, it is extended to 10 days. In isolated cases, the antibiotic provokes a skin rash, bloating, and nausea.

In children, tooth enamel is soft, so Amoxil affects its shade. To prevent side effects, monitor your baby's oral hygiene.

Augmentin

A semisynthetic antibiotic with potassium clavulanate and amoxicillin is prescribed to patients weighing over 40 kg. Effective in combating cough caused by:

• bacterial sinusitis;
• pneumonia;
• exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.

Augmentin provokes seizures in patients with kidney failure, so it is prescribed with caution for acute pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis.
Irrational use of tablets is fraught with:

• dizziness;
• diarrhea;
• jaundice;
• mucosal candidiasis.

Augmentin dosage is adjusted depending on the severity of symptoms. The duration of therapy for intense cough varies from 7 to 10 days.

Cephalexin

The penicillin antibiotic with amoxicillin has bactericidal properties. Cephalexin tablets destroy most pathogens:

• community-acquired pneumonia;
• sinusitis;
• tonsillitis;
• acute and sluggish bronchitis;
• streptococcal pharyngitis.

The dosage of medicine for cough depends on:

• age;
• body weight;
• infectious agent;
• kidney performance.

Tablets are prescribed to children over 12 years of age.
To prevent side effects, the drug should not be combined with anticoagulants, other antibiotics, or allopurinol. For mild forms of the disease, therapy takes 5 days. Children with streptococcal infection are treated for 10 days.

If there is no effect from taking Cephalexin within 2-3 days, contact your pediatrician.

Dioxidine

Inhalation therapy is one of the methods of physiotherapy, the essence of which is to inhale vapors or aerosols of medicinal solutions. When treating young children, pediatricians advise using nebulizers - ultrasonic and compressor devices that convert liquids into an aerosol.

For colds, Dioxidin, a solution containing hydroxymethylquinoxylin dioxide, is used to relieve cough using inhalation. It has bactericidal activity against pyogenic bacteria, streptococci and staphylococci. The drug does not exhibit local irritant activity, and therefore does not provoke bronchospasms.

Used in an inhaler or nebulizer to combat cough in children over 2 years old.

To prevent adverse reactions, it is diluted with sodium chloride solution. A 0.5% solution of Dioxidin is mixed with saline in a ratio of 1:2, and 1% in a ratio of 1:4. The finished medicine is stored in the refrigerator door for no more than 10 hours.

Features of inhalations with Dioxidin:

• session duration for children under 6 years old – 1 minute;
• session duration for children under 12 years old – 2 minutes;
• The frequency of the procedure is 2 times a day.

Antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of cough in children should be prescribed by a pediatrician. Inhalation therapy is not carried out for heart failure and pulmonary hemorrhages.

Fluimucil antibiotic

A solution with thiamphenicol and acetylcysteine ​​is the optimal antibiotic for wet cough in children over 2 years old. It quickly destroys infection in the respiratory tract, which leads to healing of the mucous membranes and a decrease in the sensitivity of cough receptors.

The dosage is affected by the age of the child:

• up to 12 years – ¼ ampoule;
• from 12 years ½ ampoule.

A single dose is mixed with 2 ml of saline solution. Inhalations are done once a day for 5-7 days.

When can antibiotics be given to children?

Antibacterial drugs should only be used for infections caused by bacteria.

In a hospital for severe and life-threatening infectious diseases (for example, meningitis - inflammation of the membranes of the brain, pneumonia - pneumonia, etc.), responsibility for the correct choice of medicine lies entirely with the doctor, who is based on observation data of the patient (clinical picture) and the results special research.

For mild infections that occur at home (outpatient) conditions, parents often ask the doctor to prescribe an antibiotic. Is it correct?

Runny nose and bronchitis

For acute rhinitis (runny nose) and bronchitis, antibacterial drugs are not indicated. In practice, everything happens differently: after one or two days of fever and cough in a child, parents, as a rule, do not give the child antibacterial drugs. But then they begin to fear that bronchitis will be complicated by pneumonia, and decide to use antibiotics. It is worth noting here that such a complication is possible, but it practically does not depend on previous use of antibacterial drugs. The main signs of the development of pneumonia are deterioration of the condition (further increase in body temperature, increased cough, and the appearance of shortness of breath). In such a situation, you should immediately call a doctor who will decide whether the treatment needs to be adjusted.

If the condition does not worsen, but does not improve significantly, then there is no obvious reason for prescribing antibacterial drugs. However, it is during this period that some parents cannot stand it and begin to give drugs to their children “just in case.”

It should be especially noted that the very popular criterion for prescribing antibacterial drugs for viral infections - maintaining an elevated temperature for 3 days - is absolutely not justified. The natural duration of the febrile period during viral respiratory tract infections in children varies significantly; fluctuations are possible from 3 to 7 days, and sometimes more. Longer persistence of the so-called subfebrile temperature (37.0-37.50C) is not necessarily associated with the development of bacterial complications, but may be a consequence of completely different reasons. In such situations, the use of antibiotics is doomed to failure.

A typical sign of a viral infection is a persistent cough accompanied by an improvement in general condition and normalization of body temperature. It must be remembered that antibacterial drugs are not antitussives. In this situation, parents have ample opportunities to use folk antitussives.

Cough is a natural defense mechanism and is the last of all symptoms of the disease to disappear. However, if a child has an intense cough that persists for 3-4 weeks or more, it is necessary to look for its cause.

Otitis

In acute otitis, the tactics of antibacterial therapy are different, since the probability of the bacterial nature of this disease reaches 40-60%. Taking this into account, until recently, antibacterial drugs were prescribed to all patients.

As practice shows, acute otitis is characterized by intense pain in the first 24-48 hours, then in most children the condition improves significantly and the disease goes away on its own. After 48 hours, symptoms persist in only a third of young patients.

There are interesting calculations showing that if antibacterial drugs are prescribed to all children with acute otitis, then they can provide some help (reducing the febrile period and duration of pain) only to those patients who were not expected to recover quickly on their own. Only 1 in 20 children can be like this.

What will happen to the remaining 19 children? When taking modern drugs of the penicillin group, such as amoxicillin or augmentin, nothing particularly bad will happen. 2-3 children may develop diarrhea or skin rashes, which will quickly disappear after stopping the drugs, but recovery will not be accelerated. As in the case of bronchitis, the prescription of antibacterial drugs for otitis media does not prevent the development of purulent complications. Complicated forms of otitis develop with equal frequency in both children who received and did not receive antibacterial drugs.

To date, a new tactic for prescribing antibacterial drugs for acute otitis media has been developed. It is advisable to prescribe antibacterial drugs to all children under the age of 6 months, even with a questionable diagnosis of acute otitis (finding out that a small child has a pain in the ear is not so easy).

At the age of 6 months to 2 years, with a questionable diagnosis (or mild course) of acute otitis media, the prescription of antibiotics can be postponed, limiting oneself to monitoring the child - the so-called watchful waiting approach. Naturally, during observation, children must be given painkillers and, if necessary, antipyretics. If his condition does not improve within 24-48 hours, then antibacterial therapy must be started.

Of course, in this case, increased demands are placed on parents. First, talk to your doctor about when to give antibiotics and what signs of illness to look out for. The main thing is to be able to objectively assess the dynamics of pain, its increase or decrease, and promptly notice the appearance of new signs of the disease - cough, rash, etc. Parents should be able to contact a doctor by phone, and also have a written prescription for an antibiotic.

In children over 2 years of age, waiting and observing for 48 hours is the most preferable tactic, except in cases of severe disease (temperature above 390C, intense pain).

Pneumonia

If pneumonia is diagnosed or there is serious suspicion of this pathology, the tactics of antibacterial therapy differ from the two previous cases.

Certain age groups of children are characterized by certain features of the predominant pathogens. Thus, under the age of 5-6 years, according to some researchers, up to 50% of cases of pneumonia can be caused by viruses. At an older age, the likelihood of the viral nature of pneumonia decreases significantly and the role of bacteria (pneumococci) in the development of pneumonia increases. However, in all age groups, pneumococcus is a common causative agent of this disease, which causes a severe course of the disease. That is why pneumonia is an absolute indication for antibiotic therapy.