Antibiotics for bronchitis in children: list of the best with names

List of names and descriptions of the most effective remedies

The list of names of antibiotics for bronchitis in children is quite wide. The antimicrobial agent is selected empirically, that is, without microbiological confirmation, based on assumptions about the most common pathogens and the spectrum of action of the antibiotic.

Respiratory tract infections are caused predominantly by gram-positive pathogens, which include staphylo- and streptococci, peptococci, and some enterobacteria. Since specific diagnostics (bacteriological examination of sputum) of this group of infectious diseases is rarely carried out, children's antibiotics for bronchitis should neutralize precisely these microbial groups.

Such groups of antibiotics as macrolides, penicillins and cephalosporins enjoy deserved popularity.

Azithromycin

Azithromycin belongs to the group of modern macrolides. It is quickly absorbed in the stomach and intestines, the maximum concentration in the blood is observed after 2-3 hours. Easily penetrates into all tissues of the respiratory system. It is excreted mainly in feces. Azithromycin is generally well tolerated in children with bronchitis. Approved for use in children weighing at least 45 kg (approximately from 12 years of age).

Its advantage is a single dose during the day. Different pharmaceutical manufacturers produce several dosage forms of azithromycin - capsules, tablets, suspension, lyophilisate for parenteral use - which allows you to choose the most suitable option for a particular patient.

Suprax

The active substance of Suprax is cefixime. It belongs to the group of 3rd generation cephalosporins. Effective against gram-positive and gram-negative microbes. It is absorbed quickly when taken orally, the maximum concentration in the blood is reached in 3-4 hours. It is excreted primarily in the urine and is not metabolized in the liver.

Approved for use in children over 12 years of age. Reviews of Suprax note that the syrup is well tolerated by children with bronchitis and a low incidence of adverse reactions. The answer to the question of how many days to take Suprax for a child should be obtained from the attending doctor. On average, therapy lasts from 5 to 14 days.

Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is a modern penicillin with a wide spectrum of effects. Effective against predominantly gram-positive microbes. It is practically not metabolized in the liver and is excreted in the urine. Absorbed quickly - within 1-2 hours. Amoxicillin in the form of a suspension is approved for use in children from the first year of life; a measuring spoon is used to correctly calculate the dose of the drug. Amoxicillin for bronchitis in children is prescribed for 5-7 days.

Biseptol

The active ingredients of Biseptol are trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (a group of sulfonamides). Biseptol is effective not only against bacteria, but also protozoa (Pneumocystis, Toxoplasma), therefore it can be used as a reserve antimicrobial drug

. The highest concentration is observed in the bronchial tree, so biseptol is quite effective for bronchitis in children.

Metabolized in the liver and excreted in the urine. May cause severe allergic reactions and pathological changes in red and white blood cells. Approved for use in children from 6 years of age. Used 2 times a day, the course of therapy lasts 5-7 days or more.

Zyrtec

The main active substance is cetirizine, a 2nd generation antiallergic drug. Zyrtec for bronchitis is prescribed as a component of complex therapy to prevent the development of allergic reactions. It cannot replace an antibiotic, so it cannot be used to treat bronchitis in children without antimicrobial agents.

Classification of antibiotics prescribed to children for the treatment of bronchitis

All children encounter colds and viral diseases, and the illness is often accompanied by a cough. The diagnosis of “bronchitis” is repeatedly heard at pediatrician appointments; it is a common disease. But, despite its prevalence, there is a lot of controversy about the rules for treating the disease and the need to use antibacterial agents.

Antibiotics for bronchitis in children are prescribed by a pediatrician taking into account the condition of the baby, the clinical picture of the disease, and the sensitivity of the pathogen. Parents, in turn, must understand when and how to give an antibiotic and how it will affect the baby’s health. You should be aware that there are situations in which the use of antibacterial agents will not only not improve the condition of the baby, but will also harm the child.

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease that is accompanied by inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. The most common causes of the development of the disease include the entry of viruses into the baby’s body. Increased mucus formation, swelling and inflammation are a protective reaction of the bronchi to the introduction of infectious agents. The child's cough reflex is stimulated, since coughing helps the baby get rid of accumulated mucus.

But coughing does not always effectively remove sputum from the bronchi, especially if it is viscous and thick. In such cases, blockage of the bronchi (obstruction) develops, a bacterial infection occurs with the development of severe complications: bronchospasm and pneumonia. The baby suffers from an obsessive cough with difficult to clear sputum, shortness of breath, and general weakness.

Sometimes the cause of bronchitis is allergies, indoor air that does not meet hygienic standards, or fungal infections.

Although most cases of bronchitis are viral in nature, antibiotics are widely used to treat the disease. A viral infection weakens the body's defenses, and dry indoor air and insufficient drinking contribute to the drying of mucus in the bronchi, which creates conditions for the development of a microbial infection.

In a small number of cases, bronchitis is initially of a bacterial nature and is manifested by a severe condition of the baby with symptoms of severe intoxication. The process occurs with serious complications and requires hospital treatment.

There are symptoms that indicate the need to treat your baby with antibiotics.

A temperature of more than 38 °C for 3 days indicates the presence of bacteria in the human body.
Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing in the lungs.
Severe intoxication, disturbance of the general condition of the baby.
Discharge of viscous, purulent sputum.
Changes in laboratory blood parameters, a shift in the leukocyte formula to the left, an increase in ESR.
The baby is less than a year old.

The range of antibacterial agents is huge and at first glance it is very difficult to understand the abundance of drugs. But many medicines have the same active ingredient and different trade names and dosage forms of the drug. In addition, all antibiotics are divided into groups according to their antimicrobial activity.

For the treatment of bronchitis, doctors prescribe 3 main groups of antibiotics.

Penicillin group. Such drugs have a very mild effect, therefore they are prescribed first for acute bacterial infections in children. Penicillins are produced in various forms: suspensions for children, tablets, injections. Syrups with this antibiotic have a pleasant taste and do not cause disgust in children. Medicines effectively fight mild infections that often occur in childhood. The most commonly prescribed drugs are: Ampiox, Amoxicillin, Flemoxin, Ampicillin, Flemoklav, Ospamox, Augmentin.
Macrolides. Prescribed to children when the first group of antibiotics is ineffective, when the symptoms of the disease are severe, and when complications arise. Macrolides are well tolerated by children, have minimal side effects and are approved in pediatric practice. Names of the drugs: “Azitrox”, “Sumamed”, “Azithromycin”, “Macropen”, “Clarithromycin”.
Cephalosporins. Products with a broad antimicrobial effect and a pronounced therapeutic effect. They resort to these medications when treatment with other drugs is ineffective, or the disease is severe. The antibiotic acts against many pathogenic bacteria and has proven itself in the treatment of complex forms of bronchitis and broncho-obstructive syndrome. Often these medications are prescribed as injections, especially if the baby is in the hospital. Drugs: “Ketocef”, “Cefaxon”, “Natsef”, “Ancef”, “Zinnat”, “Zinacef”.
Fluoroquinolones. These drugs are used in extreme cases, in the serious condition of the child, in the case of an atypical course of the disease. They are prescribed according to strict indications and used under the supervision of medical professionals. For children under 12 years of age, instead of fluoroquinolones, it is better to choose another drug with fewer contraindications and adverse reactions. Medicines: “Tsiprolet”, “Tsipronol”, “Levofloxacin”.

Review of drug reviews

A brief description of the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial drugs allows parents of a young patient to find out what antibiotics are prescribed for children with bronchitis, their main advantages and disadvantages.

Amoxiclav

This is a medicinal combination of clavulanic acid and amoxicillin. Mutual enhancement of the antimicrobial action makes it possible to neutralize even those bacteria that are resistant to the action of traditional penicillins. It spreads quickly – within 1 hour – into the tissues of the body. Approved for use in all age groups, including children under 2 years of age. Reviews of Amoxiclav indicate that it is well tolerated by children.

Sumamed

The active ingredient of the drug Sumamed is azithromycin, information about which is presented above.

Sumamed for bronchitis in children is trusted by doctors and patients, as it is produced by a European pharmaceutical company. The quality and effectiveness of this drug is confirmed by many years of experience in use.

Reviews of the use of Sumamed for bronchitis demonstrate its convenience and good tolerability by children.

Klacid

The active ingredient of Klacid is clarithromycin. Belongs to the group of macrolides. Clarithromycin is rapidly absorbed after oral administration and distributed throughout the tissues. Effective against most microbes that cause bronchitis. Approved for use in children aged 6 years and older.

Klacid is taken by the patient only 2 times a day. The duration of treatment varies from 7 to 10 days. Reviews of Klacida for bronchitis confirm the ease of use and good tolerability.

Flemoxin Solutab

Flemoxin Solutab for bronchitis in children is prescribed only if the small patient already knows how to take pills. This medicine is not available in suspension form. Its active ingredient is amoxicillin, described above. Reviews of Flemoxin Solutab for bronchitis in children reflect the ease of use.

Is the use of antibiotics for coughs in children justified?

In addition, when choosing a drug, the patient’s medical history, history of past drug prescriptions and previously recorded allergic reactions are taken into account.

It is necessary to strictly follow the instructions for using the prescribed antibiotic in terms of combining the medication with food intake: before, during or after meals, since violation of these recommendations can lead to problems with the intestinal microflora and dysbacteriosis.

For children 3 years of age and older, probiotics are sometimes prescribed along with antibiotic therapy to avoid digestive and immune problems.

Colds very often affect the baby's body, which is not yet strong enough. Only properly selected medications, one of which are antibiotics, can cope with such an unpleasant manifestation of a cold as a cough. But in order to be guaranteed to get a positive effect, you need to know how to use them and in what case it is appropriate.

Is it possible to give antibiotics to children when they cough? It should immediately be noted that only a doctor can prescribe antibiotics for children with a cough and runny nose. In this case, it takes into account the severity of the disease and the age of the patient. He can prescribe such medications in the form of a suspension, tablets or injections. A positive effect after taking an antibiotic can be expected after 2 days. If this does not happen, then the drug should be replaced with another one. The duration of therapy should not exceed a week.

When treating a child's cough with antibiotics, it is very important to choose the right additional drugs, as well as when to give antibiotics to a child for a cough. For example, you cannot combine antibacterial drugs from the macrolyte group with antihistamine medications. In addition, medications to thin sputum are not allowed with cough suppressants.

The effect of taking antibiotics can only be observed if they damage the form of microflora that causes the damage to the respiratory tract that accompanies coughing.

In order to understand which medication will help your baby cope with this unpleasant symptom, it is worth conducting a thorough diagnosis, which will necessarily include a sputum test with further culture for sensitivity to antibiotics. When self-treating a cough and taking antibiotics, dysbiosis and addiction can be provoked, which will result in difficulties in treating children's cough using antibacterial therapy.

It is advisable to take antibiotics in cases where it is known for sure that the cause of the cough is acute or chronic pleurisy, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis. By following the presented rules, you will be able to understand exactly when and in what situation you cannot do without an antibiotic when treating a child’s cough:

The cough does not improve after 2 weeks, that is, a lingering cough is observed.
The doctor made a diagnosis: Bacterial pneumonia or whooping cough.
Symptoms of sinusitis do not go away after 100 days or improve, but then worsen again.
The baby develops yellow-green mucus from the nose, and also when the temperature rises to 38.9 degrees, and it lasts for several days.
The child has a streptococcal infection, confirmed in the course of ongoing research. Antibacterial therapy should not be prescribed until the presence of streptococcus is definitely confirmed. In addition, it is very important to know the nature of this microorganism.

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How else to treat bronchitis in children

In the complex treatment of bronchitis in children, the following are used:

Drink plenty of fluids to reduce symptoms of intoxication;

· antipyretics (preferably with paracetamol);

· at the beginning of the disease - medications that suppress cough (plantain-based mixtures, Gedelix syrup);

· Next, medications are needed that dilute sputum and enhance the activity of the ciliated epithelium of the bronchial tree (syrups based on ambroxol and bromhexine);

· in the treatment of young patients, preference should be given to herbal-based medications and in the form of syrups, which reduces the risk of possible side effects and facilitates the process of taking medications.

A comprehensive treatment plan is drawn up by the attending doctor. Using a large number of medications simultaneously and uncontrollably only leads to undesirable consequences.

Antibacterial therapy

Bronchitis is an inflammatory process in the bronchial mucosa. It is accompanied by a severe cough, copious sputum discharge, hyperthermia and weakness. Doctors believe that it is not necessary to treat bronchitis with antibiotics; it goes away on its own with the use of expectorants. Not every case of bronchitis is bacterial; most often it is caused by viruses.

Sometimes the course of the disease is prolonged and the child has to take antibacterial drugs. In the weakened bronchial mucosa, pathogenic bacteria actively multiply. What symptoms indicate the development of a bacterial infection:

high temperature lasts for three days;
the child has difficulty breathing, shortness of breath appears;
the cough becomes severe and debilitating;
chills, sweating, weakness appear;
a blood test shows an increased level of leukocytes and ESR, which indicates inflammation;
sputum is greenish or yellow in color.

In these cases, the pediatrician has every reason to prescribe antibiotics. Particular attention should be paid to children who have chronic diseases, birth injuries, and prematurity. Such babies endure the disease more severely and take longer to recover.

Sputum analysis helps to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the type of pathogen. However, in practice there is often no time to carry it out, because the disease develops rapidly and can be complicated by pneumonia. The fact is that the doctor will receive the results of the study only after a few days. That is why a specialist often decides to prescribe antibiotics based on the symptoms of the disease.

Criterias of choice

A pediatrician should give a prescription for antibiotics for bronchitis of bacterial origin. Even if the results of bacterial culture are not yet ready (the analysis takes two days or more), the doctor may prescribe an antibacterial drug based on the clinical picture of the disease and blood tests.

It is necessary that the antibiotic be in oral form (suspension) or that it can be taken orally (tablets, capsules). These forms of drugs are as effective as parenteral ones (administered intramuscularly).

Currently, four groups of antibiotics are prescribed for the treatment of bronchitis in children:

Aminopenicillins (Augmentin, Amoxicillin, Amoxiclav). They are reasonably priced. Their effect applies only to bacteria. But the disadvantage of this group is their ability to cause an allergic reaction.
Macrolides (Sumamed, Macropen). They are more expensive and are prescribed if you are allergic to penicillin. Macrolides prevent further growth of bacteria.
Fluoroquinols (Ofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin). They have a wide spectrum of action. They are also used to treat obstructive bronchitis. But their disadvantage is that they can cause dysbiosis and disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
Cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone, Cefazolin, Cephalexin). Most often they are used to treat chronic forms of bronchitis.

Before starting to take an antibiotic, you need to study the instructions, since there are different dosages. The pediatrician may prescribe a different dose, which does not always coincide with what is available at the pharmacy.

The frequency of administration, frequency, and duration must be taken into account. It will not be possible to cure bronchitis with medications, giving them to the child at different times or skipping doses.

If a specialist prescribed an antibiotic twice a day, then it should be taken every twelve hours, if three times, then every eight hours. This is necessary to maintain a constant level of the drug in the blood.

You should also consider the duration of the course of treatment for bronchitis with antibiotics. Treatment usually takes five or seven days. But there are also drugs that are prescribed for only three days. Therefore, under no circumstances should you discontinue the antibiotic or prolong treatment on your own.

Contraindications

To find out about the contraindications of a particular antibiotic, you need to study the instructions or consult a doctor.

If there are contraindications, taking antibacterial drugs is prohibited!

When treating bronchitis with antibiotics, parents should monitor the child's diet.

You can drink antibiotics only with plain water without gases. Juices, teas, and fermented milk products should not be used. Children can and should drink them, but only as food.

Treatment with antibiotics can lead to dysbiosis. Therefore, during the treatment of bronchitis, it is recommended to additionally take probiotics. The doctor must prescribe some drug. Probiotics vary in release form and composition. It is advisable to continue taking them after recovery.