What medication is best for treating acute bronchitis quickly?

Acute bronchitis should be treated with appropriate medications based on the underlying cause. Commonly used drugs include anti-infective agents, antitussives, expectorants, bronchodilators, and antipyretic-analgesics. Proper medication use can shorten the duration of illness and prevent worsening of symptoms due to inappropriate drug use. If symptoms persist for more than one week, or are accompanied by difficulty breathing or persistent high fever, prompt medical attention is recommended.

1. Anti-infective agents: Antibiotics such as amoxicillin or cefuroxime are required for bacterial infections. Antiviral drugs are generally not needed for viral infections. The type of infection should be determined under medical guidance; self-administration and misuse of antibiotics should be avoided.

2. Antitussives: For severe dry cough that interferes with rest, medications like dextromethorphan or pentoxyverine may be used to relieve coughing. However, these should be avoided as monotherapy if there is significant sputum production, as they may suppress sputum clearance.

3. Expectorants: When sputum is excessive and viscous, making it difficult to cough up, drugs such as ambroxol or acetylcysteine can help thin mucus and promote its expulsion, thereby clearing airways and improving breathing difficulties.

4. Bronchodilators: In cases of chest tightness, wheezing, or airway spasms, medications like salbutamol or aminophylline can relax bronchial smooth muscles, alleviate airway narrowing, and improve ventilation.

5. Antipyretic-analgesics: For accompanying symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and body aches, ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be used to reduce fever and relieve discomfort. These should be taken according to recommended doses to avoid liver or kidney damage.

Daily care includes maintaining adequate fluid intake to thin mucus and facilitate expectoration, eating light and easily digestible meals, avoiding spicy or greasy foods that may irritate the airways, ensuring indoor ventilation and proper humidity, minimizing exposure to dust and smoke, getting sufficient rest, and avoiding fatigue that could worsen the condition.