Antitussives

Antitussives are drugs that suppress a debilitating, dry and irritating cough.

According to the place of intervention, we divide them into two types:
 * central - reduce the irritability of the cough center
 * peripheral - suppresses stimuli from the tracheobronchial system.

Antitussive codeine type
They are characterized by a central mechanism of action. They are more effective than peripheral, but they also have more side effects (possibility of addiction, constipation).

Representatives:
 * codeine − methyl morphine derivative effective, analgesic, combined with sedatives and expectorants
 * ethylmorphine* − stronger analgesic and antitussive effect, higher possibility of addiction,
 * pholcodine* − stronger than codeine, without analgesic effect, less side effects, therefore also suitable for children,
 * dextromethorphan − no analgesic effect, well tolerated, no habit.

Antitussive non-codeine type
They are weaker antitussives. They can have a central or peripheral effect. They have no analgesic or euphoric effects. They do not dampen the respiratory center and do not lead to addiction.

Representatives:
 * butamirate − effective, small side effects (anorexia, GIT),
 * dropropizine − comparable to codeine, does not damp the breath center,
 * pentoxyverine*
 * prenoxdiazine*
 * clobutinol*

* = the drug is not currently registered on the Czech market

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