Antibiotics for cough: uses, notes and usage

Coughing is a normal reflex of the body to clear mucus or foreign objects in the throat. A cough that lasts less than three weeks is an acute cough. Most coughs clear up or get better within two weeks. Then when I need to use antibiotics to treat cough, let's find out with SignsSymptomsList through the article below!

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• 1. What causes cough?
• 2. What are antibiotics for cough?
• 3. When to use antibiotics for cough?
• 4. Common cough antibiotics today

1. What causes cough?

Currently, there are many causes of cough such as smoking, asthma and the use of certain medicines that cause cough as a side effect.

One of the most common causes is viruses and bacteria. Each cause of the disease will have its own treatment regimen to bring the best treatment effect.

2. What are antibiotics for cough?

Cough antibiotics are antibiotics used to treat coughs caused by bacteria. The mechanism of antibiotics is to kill the bacteria causing the infection or to stop the bacteria from multiplying and growing.

The use of antibiotics for cough must be prescribed by a doctor. The doctor will base on the cause, disease status and age and weight of the patient to choose the most suitable antibiotic.

3. When to use antibiotics for cough?

Once it has been determined that the cause of the cough is bacterial, antibiotics are needed in this case to kill the bacteria, treat the infection, and prevent other complications.

Some typical cases need to use antibiotics to treat cough due to bacterial infection:

• Sore throat
• Acute purulent tonsillitis
• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Manifestations: fever over 38.5 degrees Celsius, swollen neck lymph nodes, headache, hemorrhagic nodules in the nasopharynx, abdominal pain, appearance of secretions in the throat

If the cause of the cough is viral, then antibiotics will not be effective because antibiotics do not kill the virus. At this point, patients only need to treat symptoms and most viral coughs will clear up on their own within a week.

4. Common cough antibiotics today

4.1 Antibiotics for coughs in children

Amoxicillin (Penicillin)

Point

The drug is indicated for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible bacteria in the upper respiratory tract, and for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections caused by streptococci, pneumococci, non-penicillinase-producing staphylococcus and H. influenzae.

In addition, Amoxicillin is also indicated in some cases:

• Treatment of gonorrhea
• Biliary tract infection
• Skin and muscle infections
• Combination with other drugs in the treatment of H. pylori in patients with peptic ulcer.

  Amoxicillin antibiotic

Note

This antibiotic is used quite commonly but the number of people allergic to this group of drugs is quite high. Therefore, you should not take Amoxicillin if you are allergic to any of the penicillins.

Currently, the reference price of amoxicillin on the market is about: 1,500 VND/tablet.

How to use

Amoxicillin trihydrate is taken orally and absorption of amoxicillin is not affected by food in the stomach, so it can be taken before and after meals. In addition, amoxicillin injectable in salt form

Dosage for sensitive bacterial infections of the pharynx in children:

• Mild and moderate infections: 20 mg/kg/day x 3 times/day or 25 mg/kg/day x 2 times/day.
• For severe infections: 40 mg/kg/day, 3 times/day or 45 mg/kg/day, 3 times/day

Augmentin (clavulanic acid + amoxicillin)

Point

Augmentin is a combination antibiotic containing amoxicillin and clavulanic acid used to treat bacteria that make sore throats worse because clavulanic acid is a substance that protects amoxicillin from breaking down. Thanks to this combination, the antibacterial spectrum of amoxicillin is extended.

Augmentin antibiotic

Note

Similar to Amoxicillin, do not use Augmentin for people who are allergic to any penicillin group of drugs

How to use

Dosage: 40 mg/5 mg/kg/day to 80 mg/10 mg/kg/day (not to exceed 3000 mg/375 mg daily) in 3 divided doses, depending on the severity of the infection.

Reference price Augmentin 1g (825g Amoxicillin – 125 Clavulanic Acid): 20,800 VND/tablet.

Augmentin 625mg (500mg Amoxicillin – 125 Clavulanic Acid): 12,600 VND/tablet.

Azithromycin drug

Point

Azithromycin is an antibiotic that kills bacteria by preventing the growth of bacteria and is widely used in the treatment of infections of the lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, pneumonia), the upper respiratory tract (bronchitis, pneumonia). sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis).

Note

Azithromycin is an antibiotic with a relatively high rate of drug resistance in Vietnam, so patients need to use it correctly and at the right dose as prescribed by the doctor.

How to use

The recommended pediatric dose is 10 mg/kg body weight on the first day and followed by 5 mg/kg daily, from day 2 to day 5, orally once daily.

Reference: Azithromycin 500mg: 6,000 VND/tablet

4.2 Antibiotics for coughs for adults

The most common oral antibiotics are often used because users can use them at home with the dosage prescribed by the doctor. Some commonly prescribed antibiotics for coughs include:

• Penicillin group of antibiotics: Amoxicillin, Augmentin…
• Cephalosporin antibiotic group: Cefuroxime, Cephalexin, Cefaclor...
• Macrolide antibiotic group: Erythromycin, Spiramycin, Azithromycin...

Dosage:

• Amoxicillin: Mild, moderate infections: 250 mg x 3 times/day or 500 mg x 2 times/day.

In severe infections: 500 mg x 3 times/day or 875 mg x 2 times/day.

• Augmentin: Mild to moderate infections 1 Augmentin 625mg tablet twice a day.

In severe infections: 1 Augmentin 1g tablet x 2 times/day.

• Cefuroxime: adults use 500mg x 2 times/day.
• Azithromycin: adults take the first day 500mg, and the next 4 days at a dose of 250mg/day.

Coughing is a normal reflex of the body to clear foreign objects in the throat. There are many causes of cough, so it is necessary to determine the cause before using medicine. Cough antibiotics are only used in cases of bacterial infections. To choose the right medicine, you should visit your doctor for examination and advice.