Ambroxol belongs to the group of antitussives (cough expectorants) and is used to control acute and chronic respiratory and pulmonary diseases associated with a disturbance of mucus production and clearance. Ambroxol has proven to be a tolerable and extremely effective cough and mucus expectorant. Acute sore throat can also be successfully treated by the local anesthetic effect of ambroxol.
What is ambroxol?
Ambroxol has proven to be a tolerable and extremely effective cough and expectorant. Ambroxol has copied the mode of action, liberation for the respiratory tract, from nature. For thousands of years, the leaves of the lungwort (Adhatoda vasica bush) have been used in the Indian healing art of Ayurveda for cough therapy. The active substance of the plant, vasicin, was isolated by medical research and significantly improved for Ambroxol. Compared to the natural product, it can be dosed more precisely, has a significantly increased effect and improved tolerability. Ambroxol was launched in Germany in 1979 as Mucosolvan and has proven to be an effective cough suppressant. With Ambroxol, Mucosolvan is the most widely used cough medicine worldwide. The active ingredient ambroxol is a drug from the group of so-called mucolytics (drugs for liquefying viscous mucus in the respiratory tract). Ambroxol is available in various dosage forms, such as drops, tablets, sustained-release capsules, effervescent tablets, juice, suppositories, or inhalation concentrate.
Pharmacological action
Respiratory diseases with mucus are always accompanied by respiratory limitation. The resulting reduced oxygen supply to the body can promote the causes of infections, narrowing of the airways, destruction of lung tissue, diseases of the blood vessels in the respiratory system, allergies, or even tumors. Mucous in the lungs provides a good breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. In a viral flu-like effect, viruses are causative for the disease and whitish mucus is coughed up. In a viral flu-like effect and the appearance of yellowish-green secretions, bacteria are likely the culprit for the cough. If the sputum is bloody, it could be an indication of incipient pneumonia, for example. In any case, medical advice should be sought immediately. The pharmacological action of ambroxol is particularly useful here, with its expectorant and analgesic effect. Ambroxol also has a local anesthetic effect by interrupting the transmission of pain. For this reason, ambroxol has also been used for some time as an active ingredient in sore throat tablets.
Medical application and use
Mucosa and ciliated epithelium form the airway cleansing system, which is critical in keeping the airways clear of foreign substances. Ambroxol supports this mucociliary cleansing system, which lines most of the airways, by liquefying mucus and stimulating the cilia in the bronchi to move. Between the cilia are mucus-producing cells and glands. The bronchial mucus they produce binds harmful foreign substances, which are then removed from the airways by the cilia. However, if this mucociliary airway cleansing system is overloaded, coughing develops. Through vigorous coughing, the bronchial mucus is then coughed up together with the foreign substances or even foreign bodies. The cough with expectoration, so-called productive cough, is to be distinguished from dry irritant cough, which is caused by chemical irritation of the respiratory tract and does not contribute to clearing the airways. Ambroxol is successfully used in the following conditions: Asthma, acute/chronic bronchitis, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), colds or cystic fibrosis. Recent studies show that ambroxol is also useful for controlling pneumonia and other inflammatory processes.
Risks and side effects
Side effects during treatment with Ambroxol do not necessarily occur, yet some are known. Since everyone reacts differently to medications, side effects also vary in type and frequency depending on the dosage form (tablet, injection, ointment) of a medication. Occasional gastrointestinal complaints have been observed with ambroxol administration; abdominal pain and diarrhea may also occur in isolated cases.Fever and allergic reactions such as dyspnea, urticaria with itching, or facial swelling are possible in rare cases. Rarer side effects:
Dryness of the mouth and upper respiratory tract, increased salivation, increased runny nose, constipation or difficult urination. Very rare side effects:
Allergic shock (anaphylactic shock).
Contraindications:
Ambroxol should not be taken in case of hypersensitivity to Ambroxol or any of its other ingredients, impaired renal function or severe hepatic insufficiency and not in case of stomach or intestinal ulcer. Special caution is required when taking Ambroxol during pregnancy and lactation. Interactions with Ambroxol:
It should not be taken together with a cough-suppressing drug (antitussive), as an increased accumulation of secretions may occur due to a then reduced cough reflex, which cannot be coughed up. However, if the use of both drugs is indicated, this therapy should always be accompanied by a physician. Ambroxol shows consistently good treatment success. However, if the clinical picture worsens or there is no improvement after 4 to 5 days, a physician should be consulted.
