Antibiotics for coughs are inexpensive. What antibiotics are effective in treating coughs? Cheap antibiotics for coughs for adults

In 90% of cases, the origin of the cough is not related to a bacterial infection and does not require treatment with antibiotics. But in case of bacterial damage to the respiratory system, treatment in adults necessarily includes the prescription of antibiotics, which relieve cough, runny nose, and fever, on average, within a week.

Cough is a concomitant symptom of bacterial forms of respiratory tract diseases:

• tonsillitis;
• rhinitis;
• laryngitis;
• sinusitis – sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, ethmoiditis;
• tonsillitis;
• tracheitis;
• pleurisy;
• bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• tuberculosis.

At the initial stage of inflammation, the cough is usually dry and unproductive. As inflammation intensifies, the process of mucus removal worsens and sputum begins to accumulate.

What is a cough like?

A dry, strong cough is observed initially with tracheitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. With pharyngitis, the cough reflex arises from irritation of the back wall of the pharynx and disappears completely when the disease is treated with antibiotics.

Tracheitis is characterized by a strong dry cough, especially at night and in the morning. Dry cough occurs in adults with various diseases, so it is impossible to say which antibiotic will help get rid of it better and faster until a diagnosis is made.

It is necessary to find out what type of pathogenic microflora provokes the disease, since the nature of sputum differs in different types of inflammation.

Thus, sputum with inflammation of the trachea is thick, viscous and very scanty. And if the inflammation spreads to the bronchi, then the disease takes on the character of tracheobronchitis, and the cough becomes wet, persistent, with constant attacks.

In older adults, tracheobronchitis can be complicated by bronchopneumonia or become chronic. This means that treating yourself with antibiotics without consulting a doctor is dangerous.

For example, the use of antitussive drugs for wet coughs is associated with a risk of “lung flooding” in children and older adults. In this case, suppression of the cough reflex causes:

• accumulation of sputum in the bronchi;
• stagnation and thickening of mucus;
• deterioration of respiratory function.

If the respiratory muscles of an adult are able to cope with the mucus plug that has formed in the respiratory tract, then the muscles of a child or an elderly person do not have such strength. The result of incorrectly taking an antitussive medication will be suffocation and an urgent call to “emergency help”.

How is an antibiotic prescribed?

The choice of antibiotic is based on the sensitivity of the drug to the bacteria that caused the inflammation. The doctor prescribes an antibacterial drug based on the results of bacterial culture of the patient's sputum.

Since the analysis takes time, on the day of admission the patient is prescribed a broad-spectrum antibiotic, often used in the area. If it works and the cough and fever disappear, then treatment is continued.

If there is no effect after 2 days, then the patient’s medication is changed. When the culture results are ready, which takes 7 days, the treatment regimen is changed again if necessary.

When you don't need antibiotics for a cough

Dry residual cough after an infection is associated with an increased sensitivity threshold of cough receptors and does not require antibiotic treatment.

Allergic coughs and attacks caused by gastroesophageal reflux cannot be treated with antibiotics. This cause of cough in adults is common (up to 40%), and antibiotics will not help in this case.

A dry cough in children can be caused by the presence of a foreign body in the respiratory tract. Antibiotics are absolutely not needed for coughs caused by ARVI or influenza, as well as in cases of neurogenic cough attacks.

Cough in adults is often associated with smoker's bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is often found in people professionally involved in hazardous work.

“Cardiac cough” caused by congestion in the pulmonary circulation cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Antibiotics effective for respiratory infections

Typical representatives of the bacterial microflora, which most often cause inflammation in the nasopharynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs, and provoke cough, include a fairly large group of bacteria. It includes:

• Hemophilus influenzae – hemophilus influenzae;
• Streptococcus pneumoniae - pneumococci;
• Chlamydophila pneumoniae;
• Klebsiella pneumonia - Klebsiella;
• Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus aureus.

Less commonly, bacteria that cause inflammation of the respiratory tract include:

• Moraxella cattarhalis;
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa – Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
• Legionella pneumophila;
• Enterobacteriae;
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae;
• Chlamydia spp.

The following are effective against these representatives of pathogenic microflora:

• Penicillins in tablets or intramuscular injections:
  • amoxicillins – Flemoxin Solutab;
  • ampicillin – Ampicillin trihydrate;
  • amoxicillin + sulbactam – Sultasin, Libaccil;
  • amoxicillin + clavulanate – Amoxiclav, Augmentin;
• 1st and 2nd generation cephalosporins – Cefazolin;
• cephalosporins 3 and 4 generations:
  • ceftriaxone – Lendatsin, Rocephin;
  • cefixime - Suprax;
  • cefotaxime - Cefosin, Cephabol, Claforan;
  • cefpirom - Cefanorm;
• macrolides – azithromycin, medicamycin, josamycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin;
• fluoroquinolones – ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin.

For outpatient treatment, inhibitor-protected penicillins and macrolides in tablets are prescribed. In severe cases of the disease, treatment with cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones is resorted to.

Inexpensive cough antibiotics

It is most convenient to take antibiotic tablets when treating a cough caused by a respiratory infection. In terms of effectiveness, the latest generation of drugs are not inferior to injection treatment, they are cheaper and help well against a wide range of different infections.

If the cough is so severe that an adult, when trying to take a tablet or capsule of medicine, has a gag reflex, then you can take children's syrup with an antibiotic.

In this case, you need to ask your doctor to indicate the required dosage, or calculate it yourself using the instructions for use.

Penicillin for cough

The drug of choice is usually an antimicrobial agent from the ampicillin group. The medicine is taken 2-3 times a day. Ampicillin can also be prescribed intramuscularly in injections; the course of treatment in both cases is 7–10 days.

The list of inexpensive antibiotics from the ampicillin group includes (price in rubles):

• Ampicillin – 10 – 60 for 10 for 20 pieces;
• Ampicillin trihydrate – 20 per 24 tablets.

The effect of ampicillins is enhanced by combining them with other antibiotics. A combination drug such as Ampiox is used to treat bacterial respiratory tract infections.

The drug Ampiox contains ampicillin and oxacillin, which also belongs to the penicillins. The drug Oksamp has a similar composition and effect, which in Moscow pharmacies costs on average 60 - 80 rubles for 20 capsules.

Aminoglycosides for nosocomial pneumonia

For severe nosocomial pneumonia accompanied by cough, the doctor may prescribe aminoglycosides in tablets and injections. Aminoglycoside antibacterial agents include, in particular, Isofra spray, which contains framycetin and is widely used in the treatment of ENT diseases.

The list of inexpensive aminoglycosides that a doctor can prescribe for inflammation of the upper respiratory tract includes (in injections, price in rubles):

• Gentamicin 10 ampoules – 25 – 35;
• Kanamycin 1 amp. – 12 – 14.

When prescribing aminoglycosides for the treatment of respiratory infections, the doctor weighs the possible benefits of using the drug and the high risk of side effects due to the ototoxicity of drugs in this group.

Long-term use of gentamicin in high dosages leads to hearing loss. This effect is called ototoxicity; you can read about this phenomenon on the page.

Hearing loss in a number of hereditary disorders is sometimes observed after several injections of gentomycin.

Amoxicillins

The most commonly prescribed penicillins are Augmentin, Flemoxin Solutab, Amoxiclav. These drugs in tablets for respiratory tract infections can be taken 2-3 times a day, which is more convenient than taking ampicillin, which is taken 4 times a day.

The list of inexpensive amoxicillins includes:

• Amoxicillin Sandoz – 130 – 160 rub./12 pcs.;
• Amoxicillin capsules – 35 – 90 rub./20 pcs.;
• Amosin tablets – 35 – 75 rub./10 pcs.

Inhibitor-protected amoxicillins, which contain, in addition to the antibiotic, clavulanic acid, are combination drugs. Their price is on average higher than the cost of amoxicillin.

However, the high effectiveness of inhibitor-protected amoxicillins makes them the drugs of choice in the treatment of respiratory infections. The list of relatively inexpensive inhibitor-protected amoxicillins includes:

• Amoxiclav – 220 – 350 rub./15 pcs.;
• Augmentin – 250 rub./20 pcs.;
• Panclave - 350 RUR/20 pcs.

For mild infections, amoxicillins are good for coughs and runny noses; these antibiotics quickly eliminate fever and symptoms of intoxication in adults.

But in case of severe disease, the doctor will prescribe a drug that shows sensitivity to the microflora that caused the inflammation. Most often, if penicillins are ineffective, they are treated with macrolides or cephalosporins.

Macrolides against cough

Tablets of antimicrobial drugs from the macrolide group are taken once a day, the course of treatment is from 3 to 5 days. Macrolides are effective against a wide range of bacteria and have low toxicity, which is why they serve as the drug of choice in the treatment of not only adults, but also children.

Adults are most often prescribed injection treatment (price in rubles per 1 bottle):

• Sumameda - on average 210;
• Azitrox – 180 – 300 depending on the concentration;
• Hemomycin – 140 – 230.

The list of inexpensive macrolide tablets prescribed for adults includes (cost in rubles):

• Sumamed – 340 for 6 tablets in film;
• Hemomycin – 260 – 310 for 3 pieces;
• Vilprafen – 520 for 10 pieces;
• Klabaks – 350/14 pcs.;
• Erythromycin – 12 – 20 per 10 pcs.;
• Macropen – 260 for 16 pcs.

Considering that macrolide antibiotics can be taken once a day, and they are good for coughing in adults after 3 to 5 days, then these tablets are actually inexpensive.

For the entire course of treatment, 3 to 5 tablets may be sufficient. This makes macrolides the most preferred medicine for bacterial respiratory tract infections. And the most popular from the above list are Sumamed, Macropen.

Cephalosporins for cough

The cephalosporin series has a wide spectrum of action and is available in tablets and powder for injection. This is convenient for step therapy, when you first give injections of the drug and then switch to taking tablets.

Bacteria have not yet developed resistance to most cephalosporins, especially the latest generations. Therefore, medications in this series effectively kill bacteria and eliminate the cough caused by their activity.

Cephalosporins in injections are prescribed when penicillins and macrolides are ineffective. Inexpensive cephalosporin antibiotics used to treat respiratory bacterial infections include:

• Suprax – capsules 750 RUR/6 pcs.;
• Klaforan - powder for intramuscular, intravenous administration - 70 - 110 rubles. for 1 bottle;
• Cefosin - powder for injections 25 - .45 rubles per 1 bottle.

Fluoroquinolones for cough

Fluoroquinolone drugs are new drugs and are used only to treat adults over 18 years of age. The effect of fluoroquinolones on children has not yet been sufficiently studied, and they are used to treat this age group only in exceptional cases.

When treating adults for infections that occur with cough, fluoroquinolones are prescribed in the absence of results from the use of penicillins, macrolides or cephalosporins.

Inexpensive fluoroquinolones in tablets include (cost in rubles):

• Ofloxacin – 20 – 40/10 tablets;
• Nolitsin – 170/10 tablets;
• Tsiprolet – 60 – 110/10 pcs.;
• Ciprofloxacin - on average 35 rubles for 10 tablets.

Features of the use of antibiotics

For mild forms of inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system, medications are predominantly prescribed in tablets, and treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis.

The best priced and effective antibiotics from different groups for coughs caused by bacterial infections in adults include drugs from the following list:

• Ampicillin;
• Augmentin;
• Sumamed;
• Macropen;
• Ofloxacin;
• Tsiprolet.

The most severe forms, associated with low levels of neutrophils in the blood, are treated only in hospital. Severe lung damage and a severe cough develop when a number of strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterobacter are infected.

For severe lung damage caused by nosocomial pneumonia, the following are effective:

• cephalosporins 3, 4 generations - Ceftriaxone, Cefotaxime, Ceftazidime, Cefepime;
• aminoglocosides;
• aztreonam - Aztreabol;
• vancomycin;
• fluoroquinolones – ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin.

However, antibacterial agents alone are not enough to treat respiratory tract infections.

Antibiotics eliminate the cause of inflammation, i.e. they kill bacteria. And they improve the removal of sputum containing the remains of destroyed bacterial walls, dead leukocytes, and drugs of other groups.

To treat cough, mucolytics, expectorants, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antihistamines are used. The last group of drugs is prescribed not only for the treatment of allergic cough.

Antiallergic drugs quickly eliminate swelling caused by inflammation, and the doctor, with severe tissue swelling, may prescribe Loratadine, Suprastin, even in the absence of allergies. You can learn more about the symptoms and treatment features of allergic diseases on the page.

Nowadays it is difficult to find a person who does not know about the existence of antibiotics. These drugs have saved thousands of lives, but is it worth taking antibiotics for a cough? And if so, at what cost? We will talk about how to take these medications correctly and not harm your health in this article.

Incorrect choice

Many people consider antibiotics almost a panacea and use them for any cold. Others, on the contrary, are afraid of these drugs, believing that they destroy the body. Both opinions are only partly true. Antibiotics for coughs are not used in all cases, but there are diseases that are almost always treated only with them, and diseases that are potentially fatal, such as pneumonia. So first, doctors have to figure out not which antibiotic is right for you, but whether you need it at all.

Determining the pathogen

Antibiotics are substances that inhibit the growth of bacteria, which means they are effective against diseases caused by bacteria. Common acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections are caused by viruses, so in this case, taking antibiotic drugs will not only be useless, but also harm your health!

To avoid using the power of medications to harm yourself, you should consult a doctor. If you have a prolonged cough with sputum, this should definitely be done, since the doctor will send the sputum for analysis, and this will allow you to accurately determine the pathogen. This study allows us to determine which antibiotics will be most effective for coughs in adults.

Dangerous symptoms

Acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections are the most common colds, which hardly anyone has not encountered. As a rule, they are viral in nature, but sometimes atypical symptoms appear. This may be evidence of another infection. With these symptoms, you need to think about more serious treatment, but for what cough are antibiotics prescribed?

If the sputum has an unpleasant taste or the color changes to green or purulent, you should consult a doctor immediately!

If colds are complicated by a temperature rise above +38 C, shortness of breath or severe headache, or if the cough is prolonged (more than three weeks), you should consult a doctor. Using a blood test, doctors can determine the level of white blood cells, and therefore the presence of infection.

Such symptoms may indicate the appearance of a secondary respiratory infection, which develops along with a common cold. This can cause acute bronchitis, tracheitis or pneumonia. Bacterial tonsillitis, pleurisy, and even purulent inflammation of the trachea and pharynx can also develop.

Other cold-like diseases, as a rule, do not require the use of antibiotics. For coughs and runny noses, you can use conventional remedies that can reduce the cough reflex and facilitate the removal of sputum. Your own immunity will do the rest.

Rationale

What antibiotics should I take for a cough? The question of prescribing these strong and dangerous drugs should only be raised by a specialist. Remember that wet and dry cough should not be the reason for unauthorized prescription of antibiotics! The disease may have other causes (not bacteriological): viruses, allergies, intoxications, heart disease. In this case, antibiotics for cough will not be successful. But it’s not always possible to go to the doctor. How to determine the infection yourself?

The first feature of a bacterial infection is its clear localization. If it happens that a virus enters the human body, the temperature rises sharply and general health worsens. Clear or liquid discharge most often occurs with viral infections, while dark and greenish color occurs with bacterial infections. However, this sign does not provide complete confidence; it should be taken into account only in conjunction with the others.

The throat should be examined. An experienced specialist can almost always correctly identify the disease based on one type of throat. People far from medicine should remember that white spots are most often caused by bacteria. Bacterial infections are much more likely than viral ones to have an “escort” in the form of sneezing and a runny nose.

Temperature is also one of the signs. In general, it cannot be attributed to any one type of infection, but its nature can be traced. A bacterial infection usually causes a higher temperature, and it increases day by day, but during a viral infection, the temperature usually subsides after a few days.

Doctors' appointments

Most often, antibiotics become the main drug for bronchitis, pneumonia (pneumonia), pharyngitis, tracheitis, pleurisy, sinusitis, and tuberculosis.

Typically, doctors use three types of antibiotic substances: penicillins, macrolides and cephalosporins. The medicine is chosen depending on the bacteria it works best on. The more advanced the disease, the broader the effect the drug should have, so Amoxiclav is most often prescribed as a universal drug.

The doctor monitors the patient’s condition, notes the presence or absence of improvements and, depending on this, can adjust the course or prescribe another, more effective drug. If antibiotics for a cough do not help even after completing the full course, it means that the medicine was chosen incorrectly or the patient did not follow the instructions for taking it.

For bronchitis and cough

The antibiotics listed below are most often prescribed by doctors to fight bacterial respiratory tract infections.

• "Ampioks".

This drug has an active effect and affects the inflammatory process, it quickly suppresses the bacterial infection, the patient feels a rapid improvement in well-being. The medicine can destroy even resistant pathogenic flora.

• "Ampicillin."

One of the most frequently prescribed medications. It is effective in relieving symptoms of respiratory diseases, but is not used to treat patients prone to allergic reactions. Suitable for treating children. This antibiotic is also used for coughs in adults, as it has a wide spectrum of action.

• "Augmentin"

The drug has excellent anti-inflammatory effects. It quickly helps eliminate a respiratory infection; it is also used in cases where the pathogen is resistant to antibiotic drugs. Another name for the medicine is Amoxiclav. It has two active ingredients: ampicillin and clavulanic acid, and it is thanks to the latter that the effect is enhanced. It is sold in powder form, from which the patient can independently prepare a suspension. You should be careful with the antibiotic, as it is contraindicated in cases of phenylketonuria, liver and kidney diseases, and previous jaundice.

• "Arlet".

An antibiotic of the penicillin group, used for pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchopneumonia and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Contraindicated in case of impaired kidney and liver function, as well as in people suffering from lymphocytic leukemia and mononucleosis.

• "Suprax".

The drug can be purchased in convenient granules for preparing a suspension for children. For coughs, the antibiotic Suprax is prescribed quite often, of course, if the cause of the symptom is a bacterial infection.

This is a modern medicine that is designed to actively combat bacterial infections. It is used for inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, urinary tract and some other organs. This drug is good because it is relatively safe at almost any age.

Interesting fact: adults often neglect preparing the suspension for themselves, since drinking tablets is much faster. Meanwhile, this option of using the drug can significantly reduce discomfort with severe inflammation of the throat.

• "Flemoxin".

It has been successfully used to treat bacterial infections in the upper respiratory tract. Prescribed for diseases such as tonsillitis (acute tonsillitis), sinusitis, otitis media, bronchitis, pneumonia. It has the following contraindications: diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, mononucleosis, lymphocytic leukemia, renal failure.

Cephalosporins and macrolides

The lists of drugs used for cough are reviewed from time to time. The names of antibiotics from a number of macrolides and cephalosporins, most often used by modern doctors, are presented below.

• "Cefetamet."

Refers to third generation cephalosporins. Prescribed by doctors for infections of the ENT organs, as well as the lower and upper respiratory tract, for diseases such as sinusitis, pleurisy, bronchitis, pneumonia, tonsolopharyngitis. Not used for patients suffering from allergenic diseases, as well as those with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

• "Spectraceph".

It also belongs to the third generation cephalosporins and has the same indications for use as Cefetamet. Contraindicated in people on hemodialysis and people with liver failure.

• "Azithromycin".

Belongs to the type of macrolides. Prescribed for bacterial infectious diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract and ENT organs. These are acute tonsillitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillopharyngitis, otitis media and a number of others. Not for use in cases of liver and kidney dysfunction.

• "Macropen".

Another macrolide antibiotic. It is used for the same diseases. Contraindicated in cases where the patient has hypersensitivity to the components, as well as in severe liver failure.

• "Sumamed."

Refers to macrolides. Doctors often use this antibiotic for severe coughs in children, but only if the symptoms are caused by a bacterial infection. It is able to accumulate in tissues without intoxication, due to which the duration of the course can be reduced to five days. Contraindications include only sensitivity to the components. Do not take simultaneously with the drug Heparin.

• Syrups.

Is there an antibiotic cough syrup? In the literal sense of the word, no, but there are syrups that have a certain antibacterial effect. They cannot fully replace antibiotics, but are often prescribed by doctors. They are often prescribed to children with a severe cough. These are plantain syrup, "Lazolvan" in the form of syrup, "Doctor Mom", "Bronholitin".

Special food

Treatment with any antibiotics is a real test of strength for your body, since along with pathogenic bacteria, the medicine also destroys beneficial microflora. The gastrointestinal tract suffers the most, hence most of the side effects, such as diarrhea, diarrhea or constipation, heartburn, and in some cases even dysbiosis. Pain in the stomach and intestines often occurs. Despite the fact that the negative effect of antibiotics on the human body can often be too strong, doctors do not cancel the drug, since the drugs themselves are unique. No other drug can replace an antibiotic. Side effects cannot be completely eliminated, but they can be minimized.

How to protect your stomach

An antibiotic is an integral part of the treatment of a large number of inflammations. Despite the harm they cause, safer analogues simply do not exist, so doctors have developed rules by following which patients can protect the stomach from the harmful effects of the drug and reduce the occurrence of many adverse side effects.

During treatment you should follow a special diet. Since the gastrointestinal tract is already under enormous stress, it is necessary to exclude unhealthy foods: fried, salty, alcohol, canned food, sour foods and fruits. Eat more vegetables and sweet fruits, drink more clean water without carbon.

It is not recommended to take the antibiotic on an empty stomach, but you should not take the medicine on a full stomach, because then it will be much more difficult for him to cope with the medicine. For a snack, it is better to use foods that have an enveloping effect. This will reduce irritation from the drug. The best food during the course will be soups, cereals, jelly, and boiled vegetables.

Doctors often prescribe special medications to maintain gastric microflora. These may be drugs “Linex”, “Lactofiltrum”, “Bifidumbacterin”, “Bifiform” and others. They are also used to treat dysbiosis, which is one of the common side effects of any antibiotic.

For children

It should be remembered that children are prescribed only the safest and gentlest antibiotics, since the younger they are, the more their kidneys and other organs will suffer from the drug. Not all drugs will be effective due to the characteristics of children's metabolism. The most common antibiotics for long-term cough in children are Augmentin, Ampicillin and Sumamed. If there is no way to see a doctor, use the medications, carefully studying the contraindications and dosage. Doctors often prescribe antihistamines to children and adults prone to allergies. If consulting a doctor is not possible, have one of these medications at home, such as Suprastin or Tavegil, in case an allergic reaction develops. The main thing is to carefully study the instructions and consult with your pharmacist, because the medications you are taking may be incompatible.

The most common causes of cough in adults requiring antibiotic treatment are bacterial bronchitis (acute, chronic) and pneumonia.

The term acute bronchitis (AB) refers to an inflammatory disease that affects the large respiratory tract and is manifested by a cough, a disturbance in the general condition (fever, symptoms of general intoxication). The duration of the disease is usually from one to three weeks.

The diagnosis of chronic bronchitis (CB) is made on the basis of a productive, frequent cough for three or more months a year for two years in a row, with the exclusion of other pathologies. The term CB refers to a chronic, diffuse, progressive inflammatory process in the bronchi.

Pneumonia are called acute, infectious-inflammatory lesions of the lower respiratory tract, accompanied by cough with sputum discharge, febrile and intoxication syndrome, shortness of breath and respiratory failure of varying severity, weakened breathing, changes in percussion sound and obligatory focal-infiltrative changes on the radiograph.

In patients with severe shortness of breath and an obsessive cough that worsens at night, in the absence of other symptoms of infection (fever, muscle pain, conjunctival hyperemia, nasal discharge, etc.), congestive heart failure must be excluded.

If there are complaints of weight loss, prolonged low-grade fever, night sweats, the presence of blood and pus in the sputum, it is necessary to carry out a differential diagnosis with tuberculosis.

Antimicrobial therapy is prescribed empirically, taking into account the main pathogens (pneumococcus, staphylococcus and streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, mycoplasma and chlamydia).

For acute bronchitis, the drugs of choice are:

• aminopenicillins (amoxicillin ®);
• protected pencillins (amoxicillin/clavulanate ®; amoxicillin/sulbactam ®);
• macrolides (azithromycin ® , josamycin ® , spiramycin ® );
• oral cephalosporins of the second and third generation (cephaclor ®, cefuroxime-axetil ®, cefixime ®, ceftibuten ®), in severe cases, injectable (parenteral) cephalosporins (ceftriaxone ®) are prescribed.

For chronic bronchitis:

• the same drugs are prescribed as initial therapy as for acute illness;
• for frequent exacerbations or the presence of purulent viscous sputum, fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin ®, levofloxacin ®), as well as third (ceftazidime ®) and fourth generation (cefepime ®) injectable cephalosporins are used.

For the treatment of pneumonia, the preferred use is:

• protected penicillins and oral cephalosporins (outpatient treatment);
• parenteral cephalosporins of the second (cefuroxime ®), third (cefoperazone ®, cefotaxime ®, ceftriaxone ®, etc.) and fourth (cefepime ®) generations (prescribed in a hospital setting);
• For severe forms that are difficult to treat or in the presence of complications (lung abscess, pleural empyema, pleurisy, etc.), fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin ® and levofloxacin ®) are prescribed.
• for atypical pneumonia (mycoplasma, chlamydia) or caused by Haemophilus influenzae, macrolides are used;
• for allergies to beta-lactams, sulfonamides (co-trimoxazole ®) are prescribed;
• for aspiration pneumonia after surgery or caused by anaerobic flora, a combination of cephalosporin ® or ciprofloxacin ® with 5-nitroimidazole derivatives (metronidazole ®) is prescribed.

Antibiotics for coughs in adults: list

For mild, uncomplicated bacterial bronchitis, aminopenicillins and protected penicillins are considered first-line drugs.

Amoxicillin ® for cough (Flemoxin Solutab ®)

Amoxicillin ® is an improved derivative of ampicillin. It is highly effective and bioavailable (about 95%) when administered orally. Eating does not affect the absorption and digestibility of the medicine.

The antibiotic is not resistant to bacterial beta-lactamases. Able to reach maximum therapeutic concentrations in blood plasma within two hours.

The mechanism of action is bactericidal, caused by irreversible inhibition of the synthesis of supporting components of the microbial wall. Amoxicillin ® is not active against bacteria capable of producing penicillinases.

The advantage of Flemoxin ® over other drugs with a similar active ingredient lies in its soluble form, which has:

• maximum bioavailability and acid resistance;
• rapid and complete absorption from the gastrointestinal tract;
• minimal risk of complications from the gastrointestinal tract.

However, the original drug has a fairly high cost, so those who are looking for inexpensive cough antibiotics can purchase an analogue from the Serbian company Hemofarm ®, as well as the Swiss one produced by Sandoz or the Russian Amoxicillin ® produced by ABVA RUS ® and Biokhimik Saransk ®.

Antibiotics for cough in adults containing amoxicillin are not prescribed for:

• hypersensitivity to beta-lactam antibiotics;
• mononucleosis and exacerbation of carriage of cytomegalo and Epstein-Barr infections;
• colitis and diarrhea caused by antimicrobial therapy (history);
• lymphocytic leukemia;
• severe dysfunction of the liver and kidneys.

Use during pregnancy is permissible under strict indications and under the supervision of the attending physician. When prescribed during lactation, breastfeeding must be stopped due to the ability of Amoxicillin ® to penetrate into breast milk and lead to candidiasis, dysbacteriosis and allergies in infants.

Side effects of the drug are manifested: allergies, disturbances of the intestinal microflora and vaginal microbiota, diarrhea, colitis, increased levels of liver transaminases, jaundice, interstitial nephritis, changes in peripheral blood counts, stomatitis, etc.

In this regard, long-term treatment is carried out under the control of general and biochemical blood tests.

Compatibility with other drugs

• Flemoxin Solutab ® has a synergistic interaction with cephalosporins and an antagonistic interaction with macrolides, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol and lincosamides.
• Use together with antacids reduces the absorption of the drug and the effectiveness of treatment.
• Combination with anticoagulants is not recommended, since the risk of bleeding increases due to inhibition of intestinal microflora and disruption of vitamin K synthesis.
• Flemoxin ® interferes with the effectiveness of oral estrogen-containing contraceptives.
• Not compatible with Methotrexate ® due to increased toxic effects on the kidneys and Allopurinol ® (non-allergic rash).

Dosages and duration of treatment

It is important to remember that therapy cannot be canceled immediately when positive dynamics appear. Taking antibiotics should continue for at least another 2-3 days (depending on the severity of the disease) after the temperature reaction has normalized and the patient’s condition has stabilized.

For mild to moderate cases, Flemoxin ® is prescribed 500 milligrams every eight hours. For the treatment of severe infections, the dose is increased to 700-1000 mg three times a day.

The optimal course of treatment is from seven to ten days.

Amoxiclav ® for cough

Refers to inhibitor-protected penicillins. The active ingredients are amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.

The effectiveness of the drug against strains that produce beta-lactamases is explained by the ability of clavulanic acid to form deactivated complexes with bacterial enzymes and prevent the enzymatic destruction of amoxicillin.

The list of contraindications and restrictions for use is similar to Flemoxin, however, it should be borne in mind that clavulanic acid can have a toxic effect on the liver (this effect most often occurs in elderly patients). Also, Amoxiclav ® is not used if there is a history of cholestatic jaundice.

Dosage of the product

For the treatment of mild to moderate diseases, a dose of 0.375 grams three times a day is indicated. In severe cases of the disease, the dosage is increased to 0.625 or 1 gram twice a day.

The duration of therapy is from seven to 10 days.

Sumamed ® for cough

The active component of the drug is azithromycin. This is an antimicrobial agent from the macrolide group, which has a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity.

The mechanism of bacteriostatic, and when high concentrations are reached, bactericidal action is due to an irreversible disruption of protein synthesis in the bacterial cell as a result of binding to the 50S ribosomal subunits of the pathogen. Highly effective against extra- and intracellular pathogens.

Sumamed ® is prohibited for use in patients with:

• allergy to macrolides;
• heart rhythm disturbances;
• severe pathologies of the kidneys and liver;
• during breastfeeding.

Prescriptions during the period of bearing a child are permissible, according to strict indications and under the supervision of the attending physician.

It is important to remember that Azithromycin ® is categorically incompatible with Ergotamine ® and Dihydroergotamine ® due to the pronounced toxic effect on the vascular system.

Also, the drug is pharmaceutically incompatible with heparin and is not recommended for use in combination with warfarin ® .

Not used together with lincosamides (antagonism of action).

Side effects of the drug appear:

• disorders of the stomach and intestines;
• liver dysfunction;
• dysbacteriosis and candidiasis;
• allergic manifestations;
• photosensitivity;
• tachycardia;
• headache, drowsiness, anxiety, irritability.

For the treatment of mild diseases, short five (0.5 grams on the first day and 0.25 g for four more days) or three-day courses (0.5 grams once a day) are recommended.

In case of moderate, uncomplicated course, the drug is prescribed in five to seven daily courses of 500 mg.

To treat respiratory chlamydia or mycoplasmosis, long-term (up to three weeks) courses of treatment are used. On the 1st day, the use of one gram of Sumamed ® is indicated, then 0.5 grams once a day.

The product must be taken one hour before or two hours after meals. Use in conjunction with antacids is not recommended, due to a sharp decrease in the bioavailability and digestibility of the antibiotic.

Azithromycin ® for cough

The original drug costs about 490 rubles per package (three tablets of 0.5 grams), so if you need cheap antibiotics for a cough, you can pay attention to analogues.

And analogues:

• Indian Azitral ®, produced by the Shreya ® campaign, will cost the Russian buyer approximately 290 rubles.
• Domestic Azithromycin ® from the Vertex ® campaign costs about 140 rubles.
• Zitrolide Forte ® (Valenta Pharma ®) – 300 rubles, Azitrox ® (Pharmstandard ®) – 310 rubles, Zi-factor ® (Veropharm ®) – 210 rubles.

The cough antibiotics presented above are relatively inexpensive in comparison with Sumamed ® and have a similar active ingredient and its concentration.

Do I need to take antibiotics for a cough?

Antimicrobial drugs are not prescribed for diseases of a viral nature. The exception is severe forms with a complicated course and the addition of a bacterial component.

Antibiotics for coughs in adults are prescribed if there are signs of a bacterial infection:

• disease progression during antiviral therapy;
• severe intoxication and febrile syndromes;
• locally enlarged lymph nodes;
• purulent discharge from the nasal passages or viscous yellowish-green sputum;
• An antibiotic during a dry cough is prescribed if respiratory chlamydia or mycoplasmosis (whooping cough-like attacks) is suspected;
• the appearance of shortness of breath and respiratory failure;
• lymphocytosis, rod and segmentocytosis, accelerated ESR in blood tests.