Bronchitis medications are used to manage symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness caused by inflammation of the airways. These medications help open the bronchi, reduce inflammation, and make it easier to expel mucus from the lungs.
Common bronchitis medications include anti-inflammatories, expectorants, cough suppressants, antibiotics, bronchodilators, and corticosteroids. Each type works in a different way to relieve symptoms and improve breathing, depending on whether the bronchitis is acute or chronic.
Treatment usually involves rest, fluids, and medications prescribed by a doctor to control inflammation and clear the airways. When symptoms persist or worsen, a healthcare professional may recommend tests like chest X-rays or lung function exams to prevent complications such as pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Medications for bronchitis
Bronchitis medications that your doctor can prescribe include.
1. Analgesics
Analgesics, like acetaminophen, are used to relieve symptoms such as fever, general malaise, or body aches. These medications can be used to treat acute or chronic bronchitis, as prescribed by your doctor.
2. Anti-inflammatories
Anti-inflammatories, like ibuprofen, are indicated to reduce bronchial inflammation from acute bronchitis. They can help relieve symptoms such as headache or muscle aches.
Avoid NSAIDs in aspirin-sensitive asthma; use with caution in patients with pre-existing asthma.
3. Mucolytics
Mucolytics, such as acetylcysteine, may be prescribed by your doctor to help relieve coughs. They act by liquefying the phlegm and promoting its elimination.
These medications can be used in cases of acute or chronic bronchitis. They should be used with caution in children under 6 years of age and only under medical supervision.
Furthermore, you should drink plenty of water when taking mucolytics to make this medicine more effective, as increased water intake can thin the mucus and eliminate it more easily.
4. Expectorants
Expectorants, such as guaifenesin, can thin the phlegm to make it easier to eliminate. These medications act by loosening mucus in the airways, which helps reduce chest congestion and makes coughing more productive.
These medications may be prescribed by your doctor for the treatment of bronchitis, particularly when it is chronic.
Also recommended: tuasaude.com/en5. Cough suppressants
Cough suppressants, such as dextromethorphan, help decrease dry coughs by acting directly on the brain in the region that controls the cough reflex. Dextromethorphan should not be used with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or within 14 days of stopping them due to the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Another type of cough suppressant that your doctor may recommend is codeine. This is an opioid medication that also acts on the brain to reduce coughing. Codeine is contraindicated in children under 12 years, not recommended for those 12 to 18 years with respiratory problems, and should not be used by breastfeeding mothers.
These medications should always be prescribed by a doctor and can be used for acute or chronic bronchitis with dry cough, without phlegm. They are not advised when there is any suspicion of a respiratory bacterial infection.
6. Antibiotics
Antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or erythromycin, are not recommended for acute bronchitis, as this type of bronchitis is usually viral and antibiotics will not be effective.
They may be prescribed when there is a suspected or confirmed bacterial infection or an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis or COPD. In such cases, antibiotics can help reduce the risk of complications like pneumonia, especially in people with underlying conditions such as heart, lung, or immune system disease.
7. Bronchodilators
Bronchodilators, such as albuterol, formoterol, or ipratropium bromide, can help open the bronchi and make breathing easier. These may be prescribed for cases of chronic bronchitis, either as a continuous maintenance treatment or during a bronchitis flare-up.
They can also be prescribed for acute bronchitis when the patient presents with wheezing or airway obstruction. These medicines are used most commonly through inhalers and act by relaxing the muscles along the walls of the small airways, opening these passages and providing relief from chest tightness and coughing.
Bronchodilators can also be taken through a nebulizer, which is particularly recommended for older adults or patients with reduced respiratory capacity.
8. Corticosteroids
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to be taken orally (e.g., prednisone) or inhaled through puffers (e.g., fluticasone or budesonide) to reduce lung inflammation and irritation.
Inhaled corticosteroids are often combined with a long-acting bronchodilator, such as salmeterol or formoterol. These combinations are used as maintenance therapy for chronic bronchitis or COPD and are not intended for routine treatment of acute viral bronchitis.
Natural remedies
Natural remedies for bronchitis, such as ginger tea or eucalyptus tea, contain substances with anti-inflammatory or expectorant effects that can help relieve bronchial inflammation and facilitate phlegm elimination. These remedies can complement your doctor’s prescribed treatment.
Other natural options that may provide symptom relief include honey (for children over 1 year old), herbal teas made with ivy, thyme, or Pelargonium, and the use of humidifiers to moisten indoor air. Maintaining good hydration, resting, and using throat lozenges can also help ease coughing and throat irritation.
Although these remedies may relieve mild symptoms, they should not replace prescribed bronchitis medications or medical evaluation.