Review of drugs – Ascoril and ACC | What to choose

In the period of colds of viral, microbial or combined types, people have the problem of choosing the best cough medicine. Some of the drugs frequently prescribed by doctors and loved by consumers are Ascoril and ACC. When it is better to choose one or another drug, can they be combined with each other, indications and contraindications of Ascoril and ACC. To understand this situation will help the specialists of the magazine “” laying out only strong evidence about Ascoril or ACC comparison of drugs and what is better.

Ascoril

In order to understand the principle of action of the drug, you need to understand the nature of the cough. Cough is caused by constriction of the bronchi and irritation of the mucous surface of the bronchi.

Ascoril is a cough medicine that has proven itself very well due to its combined composition:

1. 1 component is salbutamol, which relieves bronchial spasm and improves bronchial patency.

2. 2 component – bromhexin, which has the property to thin the phlegm.

3. Component 3 – guaifenesin for expectoration of mucus accumulated in the bronchi.

Pharmacological action

Ascoril acts on the bronchial tree, relieving bronchospasm due to salbutamol. It is an alpha-adrenoreceptor stimulator which, by relieving spasm, improves airway patency. Spasm can be caused by an inflammatory or allergic component. It also causes dilation of the coronary arteries without lowering BP. The patient becomes easier to breathe; compensatory shortness of breath stops. The drug has a very quick effect. Bromhexin helps to expectorate sputum by increasing the volume of the secretion and irritating the ciliary epithelium. Guaifenesin is a mucolytic that stimulates secretion in the bronchi, thereby reducing the viscosity of sputum. Activation of the ciliary epithelium enables faster expectoration. Dry, unproductive cough becomes wet. This relieves the patient’s condition considerably and removes congestion, which can lead to prolonged bronchitis or pneumonia.

Note! The composition is chosen so that each component is a complement to the beneficial properties of the other. The syrup contains menthol, which also has a bronchodilator, increases the secretion of sputum, has an antiseptic effect.

Indications for Ascoril

The drug is used as an adjuvant in the combined therapy of various lung diseases. The main prescription is difficult to drain, viscous sputum, dyspnea, bronchospasm.

Used for the following diseases:

1. Bronchospasm.

2. Tracheitis and bronchitis.

3. Obstruction syndrome.

4. Acute or chronic pneumonia.

5. Emphysematous changes in the lungs.

6. Pneumoconiosis.

7. Pulmonary tuberculosis.

8. Cystic fibrosis.

Scheme of taking the drug

Available in two main versions – tablets and syrup for children Ascoril Expectant 100 and 200ml. The drug is calculated by age. This medicine is taken orally. Adult dosage 1t x 3 P daily. Children 6 to 12 years of age: ½ or 1 tablet X 3P/day. Can be taken regardless of the meal. Syrup is taken up to 12 years old by 5 ml x 3 times a day. From 12 years of age and adults – 10 ml X 3 times. Course duration should be prescribed by a doctor, usually 7 days.

Side effects

The drug has the following side effects:

1. In rare cases, dizziness, headaches, nervous excitability or drowsiness, sleep disturbance, limb tremors, seizure syndrome.

2. Gastrointestinal tract – exacerbation of gastric and duodenal ulcers.

3. Heart – more rapid heartbeat.

4. Kidney disorders – staining of urine pink.

5. One of the most serious complications is an allergic reaction – hives, Quincke’s edema. There may also be collapse or increased bronchospasm.

6. There are also contraindications when the drug is not recommended to prescribe.

Contraindications to use

The drug should not be prescribed and taken in the following cases:

1. high sensitivity to the constituent components of the remedy;

2. Pregnancy and lactation

3. lactation period;

4. Prone to tachycardia;

5. Myocarditis or heart defect;

6. Diabetes mellitus in the stage of decompensation;

7. Thyroid disorders;

8. Increased intraocular pressure;

9. CPN;

10. ulcer disease;

11. hypertension;

12. Children under 6 years of age.

Tolerability of the drug is good if the indications and contraindications are observed. The effect is fast. The drug is taken in courses of up to 7 days. When taking bromhexin for a long time, it can accumulate in the body. The drug is prescribed by a doctor, dispensed in the pharmacy only with a prescription.

ACS

A mucolytic agent that is used for all conditions in which there is an accumulation of thick sputum in the bronchi.

Pharmacological action

ACC well absorbed in gastrointestinal tract, maximal effect after 1 – 3 hours. Binds 50% to plasma proteins. It is eliminated through the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. Period of semiejection – 1 hour, in kidney pathology – up to 8 hours.

Main action – acetylcysteine is an enzyme that has a liquefying effect on sputum and removal from the airways. Clearing the airways improves blood oxygenation and quicker recovery. Dense purulent plugs can even cause pneumonia, so ACC prevents the transition to the chronic form of bronchitis or the development of pneumonia.

Also ACC has an antidote for poisoning by poisons and toxins, in particular – paracetamol, aldehydes, phenol.

Indications

Indications are any congestion in the lungs:

1. Tracheobronchitis.

2. Obstructive bronchitis.

3. Bronchiectasis.

4. Bronchial asthma.

5. Lingering sinusitis.

6. Cystic fibrosis.

7. Laryngitis.

Side effects

1. CNS side – headaches, tinnitus.

2. Cardiovascular system – arrhythmia, increased BP.

3. Gastrointestinal – diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomatitis.

Contraindications:

1. Hypersensitivity to the components.

2. Gastric ulcer.

3. Bleeding from the lungs.

4. Glucose intolerance.

5. Hepatitis and renal failure.

6. Pregnancy and lactation.

Similarities of ACC and Ascoril

The main similarities include:

1. Used for similar diseases that are accompanied by coughing.

2. General contraindications – pregnancy and lactation, intolerance to components, children under 2 years of age are not allowed.

3. Must not be combined with anti-cough drugs. It can cause undesirable effects.

The main differences between the drugs

Ascoril dilates the bronchi, ACP may vice versa – cause bronchospasm.

ACC reduces the effect of antibiotics, Ascoril enhances the effect of antibacterial drugs. These facts must be considered in bacterial pneumonia and bronchitis, when antibiotics are prescribed.

Ascoril is more effective in the acute period of the disease, when there is spasm, dry cough. It relieves these phenomena, converts the cough into a wet one, alleviating the course of the disease. ACC – in a chronic course with thick, viscous sputum.

Which drug is best to take

Drugs are not interchangeable. The indications for each drug are different:

1. Ascoril – obstructive bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough and other conditions with airway spasm.

2. Ascoril – acute, chronic bronchitis. Cystic fibrosis, bronchiectatic disease, pneumonia, tracheitis with thick, viscous sputum.

Can I take ACC and Ascoril at the same time?

These drugs can be taken simultaneously according to the indications, since they have a different mechanism of action:

1. ACC (acetylcysteine) is an enzyme that breaks the bonds between polysaccharides and makes sputum more fluid. That is why it can be used for sinusitis and otitis media.

2. Bromhexin affects the glands that produce secret in the bronchi, normalizing the serous and mucous components. Sputum liquefies and is expelled faster. The ciliated bronchial epithelium is also stimulated, allowing bronchial secretion to be evacuated more quickly. But if the bronchial secretion is thick, then Bromhexin may not be effective. In this case, ACS comes to the rescue.

It is very important that you should always consult with your doctor before taking any medication. Cough is a serious symptom that is characteristic of many pathological conditions. To clarify the diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination, which will reveal the cause of the pathological condition. After a proper diagnosis, the appropriate treatment is prescribed. Self-treatment is not allowed, especially with such strong drugs as Ascoril and ACC. This may lead to irreparable consequences.