- Guaifenesin: Guaifenesin is the most commonly used expectorant. It is the active ingredient in medicines including Mucinex® and Robitussin®. ...
- Potassium iodide: Potassium iodide is a prescription-strength expectorant.
Precautions
What are the examples of expectorant drugs?
ExpectorantsBidex 400.guaifenesin.iosat.Mucinex.Organidin NR.Pima Syrup.potassium iodide.SSKI.More items...
What are the names of some expectorants?
Generic and brand names of expectorants include:Bidex 400.Guaifenesin.Iosat.Mucinex.Organidin NR.Pima Syrup.Potassium Iodide.SSKI.More items...•
What is the strongest expectorant?
The strongest natural expectorant for a cough is honey. Honey has been shown to reduce the symptoms of even chronic or severe coughs.
What drugs break up mucus?
Guaifenesin is used to help clear mucus or phlegm (pronounced flem) from the chest when you have congestion from a cold or flu. It works by thinning the mucus or phlegm in the lungs. This medicine is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription.
What is the best expectorant for adults?
Guaifenesin: Guaifenesin is the most commonly used expectorant. It is the active ingredient in medicines including Mucinex® and Robitussin®. You can find guaifenesin in many common cough, cold and flu medications.
What is the best medicine for phlegm?
Expectorants: Expectorants like guaifenesin (Mucinex) help thin phlegm, making it easier to blow out or cough up. Vapor rubs: Vapor rubs provide relief from coughs and chest congestion. Decongestants: Decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine (like Sudafed) can dry out mucus in the chest, nose, and throat.
What is a natural mucus expectorant?
Water. Water increases the moisture in mucus making it easier to expel. You can use water as an expectorant by drinking plenty of it alone or in the form of herbal tea or by gargling with salty water. You can also get the effects by using a humidifier or via steam inhalation. Honey.
Who should not take an expectorant?
Precautions and Contraindications You should talk to your healthcare provider before using an expectorant if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 5 If you have developed any type of allergic reaction or intolerance to expectorants in the past, you should not use these medications.
How do I loosen phlegm in my chest?
How to break up chest congestionDrink lots of water. Drinking lots of water can help loosen mucus so you can cough it up and out of your system. ... Using steam. Deep coughs caused by chest congestion can become more productive with the help of steam. ... Taking expectorant medicines that contain guaifenesin.
What are some OTC expectorants?
The only expectorant available in OTC products is guaifenesin (2 brand names: Mucinex, Robitussin Chest Congestion).
What is the best expectorant cough mixture?
Medicines for chesty coughBenylin Chesty Coughs. BUY NOW.Covonia Chesty Cough mixture. BUY NOW.Robitussin Chesty Cough. BUY NOW.Benylin Mucus Cough. BUY NOW.
How many types of expectorants are there?
There are currently two expectorant ingredients available in the United States: guaifenesin and potassium iodide. Guaifenesin is the most commonly used expectorant in many cold, cough, and flu medications. Potassium iodide is widely used in breathing treatments for people with asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema.
What is a good expectorant decongestant?
Decongestant/Expectorant CombosBronkaid Dual Action Formula.Congestac.ephedrine/guaifenesin.guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine.Guaifenex PSE.Mucinex D.Primatene Tablets.Refenesen Plus.More items...
What are the side effects of expectorants?
Expectorants usually don’t cause serious side effects. But the different types of expectorants do have various potential side effects.
What does an expectorant do?
Expectorants are used to treat the symptoms of respiratory tract infections. These types of infections include the common cold, bronchitis and pneumonia. These infections can cause a buildup of mucus in your throat and lungs. You may develop a cough and your chest may hurt due to mucus accumulation. Expectorants help relieve these symptoms.
How do expectorants work?
Expectorants lubricate your airway. This helps loosen up the mucus and make the secretions in your airway thinner. By loosening up the mucus, expectorants make your cough more productive. This makes it easier for you to cough up mucus effectively and clear your throat.
What are the different types of expectorants?
Expectorants can be classified as medicinal or natural . The main ingredient in medicinal expectorants helps thin the secretions in your airway. By thinning those secretions, it makes your cough more productive. Medicinal expectorants are available over-the-counter in liquid, pill and tablet forms. Medicinal expectorants include:
Do I need to worry about any interactions with expectorants?
If you’re taking other medications, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking an expectorant. Expectorants can alter the effects of certain other medications you take. You may have an increased risk of serious side effects as well.
What is a mucinex DM?
Robitussin DM and Mucinex DM are composed of a combination of guaifenesin and dextromethorphan. Mucaphed is a combination of guaifenesin and phenylephrine (the active ingredient in Sudafed ).
How do expectorants work?
Expectorants are designed to thin the respiratory secretions in your airways so that you can cough up excessive mucus more effectively. 3 These medications do this by lubricating the airway passages.
What is the active ingredient in mucinex?
Guaifenesin, the most commonly used expectorant, is the active ingredient in Mucinex and Robitussin. In general, expectorants are available over-the-counter (OTC) in liquid, pill, and tablet forms. Expectorants are part of the mucoactive class of drugs (i.e., those that clear mucus from the airways).
What is expectorant used for?
Expectorants are commonly used for management of the symptoms of acute (short-term) respiratory tract infections, like the common cold, pneumonia, or bronchitis. 1 .
Why do you need an expectorant?
Sometimes expectorants are used for managing congestion associated with chronic respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema. 4 If you have a chronic respiratory condition, you should not use an expectorant unless your doctor recommends it.
What is expectorant cough medicine?
Updated on April 18, 2020. An expectorant is a type of cough medicine that thins and loosens mucus. These medications are typically used for managing the effects of chest congestion, especially when symptoms are caused by persistent mucus. Eric Audras / ONOKY / Getty Images.
Can expectorants cause rash?
Expectorants do not commonly cause serious side effects. The most common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, and rash. Combination expectorants are more likely to cause side effects. Dextromethorphan, which is found in Robitussin DM and Mucinex DM, can cause drowsiness, dizziness, nervousness, restlessness, nausea, and vomiting. 6 .
How do expectorants help with coughing?
Expectorants reduce the thickness of mucus and make secretions in the airways thinner. By loosening up the mucus in these ways, expectorants make it easier for a person to cough up phlegm and clear out their throat.
What is Guaifenesin used for?
Guaifenesin is an expectorant available in many OTC medications. An expectorant is a medication that people can use when they have a cough that produces mucus. Doctors and pharmacists refer to these types of cough as “productive” or “wet.”. Expectorants reduce the thickness of mucus and make secretions in the airways thinner.
What is the most commonly available expectorant in over the counter medications?
The most commonly available expectorant in over-the-counter (OTC) medications is guaifenesin. People can find guaifenesin in the following OTC products: the only expectorant on the market in the United States that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved.
What is expectedrant medicine?
Expectorants are drugs or natural chemicals that may help loosen and dislodge mucus from the airways. Further studies are still necessary to prove their effectiveness.
How does phenylephrine work?
These drugs work by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages. This constriction increases the size of the airway, allowing people to breathe more easily through their nose.
Why do doctors prescribe potassium iodide?
Doctors prescribe potassium iodide oral solution to people with chronic lung diseases. This drug helps loosen mucus and make it easier to cough up. It does this by increasing respiratory secretions, which are more fluid than phlegm.
What is the best medicine for a cold?
Ivy leaf extract is a popular natural remedy for cough and cold symptoms because of its supposed effects on mucus production, cough, and airway dilation.
WHAT ARE NAMES OF EXPECTORANTS?
Which illness is known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection ? See Answer
What is the best medicine for coughing?
Expectorants are drugs used for relieving cough. They help thin and loosen congestion in the chest and throat, making it easier to cough up the mucus.
How to reduce risk of serious medication problems?
Keep a list of all the products you use. Share the list with your doctor and pharmacist to reduce your risk for serious medicationproblems.
What is guaifenesin used for?
Guaifenesin is used to treat coughs and congestion caused by the common cold, bronchitis, and other breathing illnesses. This product is usually not used for ongoing cough from smoking or long-term breathing problems (such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema) unless directed by your doctor. Guaifenesin is an expectorant.
What to tell your dentist before surgery?
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentistabout all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
What to tell your doctor before taking a syringe?
Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: breathing problems (such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, smoker's cough ), cough with blood or large amounts of mucus.
How to prevent bitter taste in powder packets?
For powder packets, empty the entire contents of the packet onto the tongueand swallow. To prevent a bitter taste, do not chew.
How long does it take for a cough to go away?
Tell your doctor if your cough is accompanied by fever, severe sore throat, rash, persistent headache, or if it persists, returns, or worsens after 7 days. These may be signs of a serious medical problem. Seek immediate medical attention if you think you may have a serious medical problem. Nausea or vomiting may occur.
Where to report side effects?
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345. Precautions.
What is the difference between letosteine and eprazinone?
Letosteine is a mucolytic used in the treatment of chronic bronchopneumopathies and related conditions. Eprazinone (trade name Eftapan) is a mucolytic drug, and relieves bronchospasms. A mucolytic drug used to decrease the viscosity of mucus in the airway, enhancing mucus clearance.
What is the difference between expectorant and strepronin?
Mucolytic agents, that is drugs that liquefy mucous secretions, are also included here. An expectorant commonly found in OTC products for the symptomatic relief from congested chests and coughs associated with cold, bronchitis, and/or other breathing illnesses. Strepronin is a mucolytic (expectorant) drug.
What is mucolytic medicine?
A mucolytic drug used to decrease the viscosity of mucus in the airway, enhancing mucus clearance. A mucolytic indicated in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. A medication that can be used as a mucolytic in patients with certain lung conditions and as an antidote for acetaminophen overdose.
What is the best mouthwash for mucus?
Eucalyptol. A common ingredient in mouthwash and cosmetics derived naturally from the eucalyptus plant that is frequently used to to improve symptoms of airway mucus hypersecretion. Tyloxapol. Tyloxapol is an inhaled surfactant that assists in removing and liquefying and removing bronchopulmonary secretions with mucus and pus.
What is terpin hydrate used for?
Terpin hydrate. An expectorant used to treat bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, COPD, and infectious or inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
What is the purpose of deoxyribonuclease I?
A synthetic form of human deoxyribonuclease I used to break down extracellular DNA in the lungs, a major source of mucous viscosity in cystic fibrosis.
What is an oral antithyroid?
An oral antithyroid agent used for the prevention of radioactive iodine uptake into the thyroid gland during a nuclear radiation emergency.
What is the best treatment for dry cough?
Dry coughs, on the other hand, can be treated with cough suppressants. Also see daytime cough, cold and flu combinations, and cough products.
Can over the counter medications bring temperature down?
Over-the-counter medications and comfort measures can bring a high temperature down .
Drugs used for Expectoration
The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Uses
Guaifenesin is used to treat coughs and congestion caused by the common cold, bronchitis, and other breathing illnesses. This product is usually not used for ongoing cough from smoking or long-term breathing problems (such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema) unless directed by your doctor.
May Treat: Cold symptoms · Cough
Alternate Brand Names: Guiatuss · Robitussin
Drug Class: Expectorants - Single Agents, General
Availability: Prescription sometimes needed
Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using
May Treat: Cold symptoms · Cough
Alternate Brand Names: Guiatuss · Robitussin
Drug Class: Expectorants - Single Agents, General
Availability: Prescription sometimes needed
Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using
Lactation: Consult a doctor before using
Alcohol: Avoid intake while taking this medication
Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution
Before Taking
Precautions and Contraindications
Dosage
Side Effects
Warning and Interactions
- You won’t typically need to have any tests before taking an expectorant. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you use one fairly early in the course of your illness, as soon as it becomes clear that mucus is the cause of your symptoms. You should not take an expectorant if you have had an adverse reaction when using one in the past.