Products
Expectorants are commercially available in the form of cough syrups, drops, tablets, powders, granules, pastilles, and lozenges, among others.
Structure and properties
Natural (herbal), semisynthetic, and synthetic agents are used.
Effects
Expectorants liquefy and loosen tough mucus in the respiratory tract and promote expectoration.
- Mucolytic: liquefy bronchial mucus.
- Secretolytic: promotes production of a thin mucus
- Secretomotor: enhance the removal of mucus
- Expectorant: promote expectoration
Fields of application
In respiratory diseases with viscous mucus formation:
- Cough
- Acute bronchitis
- Acute sinusitis
- COPD, asthma
Dosage
According to the professional information. Because expectorants can promote expectoration, they should usually be taken during the day and not before bedtime.
Active ingredients
The following is a list of expectorants and corresponding medications (selection):
- Ambroxol (Mucosolvon).
- Ammonium chloride (e.g., ammonia pellets, licorice) – rarely used today.
- Bromhexine (Bisolvon)
- Carbocisteine (rhinathiol)
- Erdostein (Mucofor)
- Guaifenesin (Neocitran cough expectorant)
- N-acetylcysteine (Fluimucil, Solmucol, generics).
Herbal medicines:
- Elecampane
- Anise
- Burnet
- Ivy
- Eucalyptus
- Fennel
- Licorice
- Ipecacuanha
- Linden
- Myrtle
- Primrose
- Soap bark tree
- Senega root
- Ribwort plantain
- Fir tip syrup
- Thyme
- Woolly flower
Contraindications
Full precautions can be found in the drug label.
Interactions
Combination with antitussives is not considered useful.
Adverse effects
Possible adverse effects include allergic reactions and digestive symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
