List of mucolytics
| Drug name | Learn more |
| Acetylcysteine | acetylcysteine details |
| N-Acetyl Cysteine | n-acetyl-cysteine details |
| Acetadote | acetadote details |
| Availnex | availnex details |
What is mucolytics in continuing education?
What is mucolytics used for?
How does mucus affect the airways?
How many people die from COPD in the world?
How does the airway respond to fibrosis?
What are the airway secretions in cystic fibrosis?
Which drugs have sulfhydryl groups?
See 4 more
About this website
Is Mucinex a mucolytic or expectorant?
As mentioned above, the main active ingredient in Mucinex is guaifenesin, which is an expectorant. Expectorants are medications that theoretically thin mucus. They loosen the congestion in your chest and throat and make it easier for you to remove the mucus by coughing.
What are oral mucolytics?
Mucolytics are medicines taken orally that may loosen sputum, making it easier to cough it up. Mucolytics may have other beneficial effects on lung infection and inflammation and may reduce the number of flare-ups that people with COPD and chronic bronchitis have.
What are some examples of mucolytic?
Common examples of Mucolytics are acetylcysteine, bromhexine, ambroxol, and carbocisteine.
What is the most commonly used mucolytic agent?
Mucinex (guaifenesin) is a common example of a mucolytic. Mucus is the gelatinous goo produced by mucous membranes of the lungs. It's common in people who have respiratory conditions.
What is the best over the counter mucolytic?
Maximum Strength Mucinex (guaifenesin) Children's Mucinex Chest Congestion (guaifenesin) Mucinex DM (dextromethorphan and guaifenesin) Maximum Strength Mucinex DM (dextromethorphan and guaifenesin)...How they workMucinex.Robitussin DM.Robitussin 12 Hour Cough & Mucus Relief.
What are natural mucolytics?
Pineapple juice also contains mucolytic properties which can help in expelling and breaking up mucus.Onion. Onion can help in dealing with cold, cough, fever, low immunity and a sore throat. It can also help in eliminating excess cough. ... Cardamom. Cardamom can help in reducing buildup of excess mucus in the body.
Which is better mucolytic vs expectorant?
An expectorant increases bronchial secretions and mucolytics help loosen thick bronchial secretions. Expectorants reduce the thickness or viscosity of bronchial secretions thus increasing mucus flow that can be removed more easily through coughing. Mucolytics break down the chemical structure of mucus molecules.
Is Benadryl a mucolytic?
Benadryl Cough Formula Syrup 50 ml is a combination of four drugs, namely: Ammonium chloride (expectorants), Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (antihistamine), Sodium citrate (mucolytic) and ethanol. Ammonium chloride works by increasing the volume of fluid in the airways, reducing the stickiness of mucus.
What's the best medicine for mucus?
Expectorants, such as guaifenesin (Mucinex, Robitussin) can thin and loosen mucus so it will clear out of your throat and chest. Prescription medications. Mucolytics, such as hypertonic saline (Nebusal) and dornase alfa (Pulmozyme) are mucus thinners that you inhale through a nebulizer.
Which medication thins phlegm?
An expectorant is a medicine you can use when you have a cough that produces mucus. Expectorants help thin the secretions in your airway and loosen up mucus, so you can make your cough more productive.
What medications cause excess phlegm?
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are a class of prescription blood pressure medications that commonly cause coughing as a side effect....Official answerLotensin (benazepril)Vasotec (enalapril)Prinivil (lisinopril)Accupril (quinapril)Altace (ramipril)Trandolapril.Captopril.Moexipril.More items...•
How do I stop excessive mucus production?
Your doctor may also suggest some self-care steps you can take to help reduce mucus, such as:Gargle with warm salt water. ... Humidify the air. ... Stay hydrated. ... Elevate your head. ... Avoid decongestants. ... Avoid irritants, fragrances, chemicals, and pollution. ... If you smoke, try to stop.
What is the difference between an expectorant and a mucolytic?
An expectorant increases bronchial secretions and mucolytics help loosen thick bronchial secretions. Expectorants reduce the thickness or viscosity of bronchial secretions thus increasing mucus flow that can be removed more easily through coughing. Mucolytics break down the chemical structure of mucus molecules.
What is mucolytics used to treat?
A mucolytic helps you cough up phlegm (also called mucus or sputum). It works by making your phlegm less thick and sticky. This can help if you have a condition that affects your lungs, including: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
What is oral acetylcysteine used for?
Descriptions. Acetylcysteine is used to help prevent or lessen liver damage caused by an overdose of acetaminophen. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Is Benadryl a mucolytic?
Benadryl Cough Formula Syrup 50 ml is a combination of four drugs, namely: Ammonium chloride (expectorants), Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (antihistamine), Sodium citrate (mucolytic) and ethanol. Ammonium chloride works by increasing the volume of fluid in the airways, reducing the stickiness of mucus.
List of mucolytics: Uses, common brands, and safety information
Mucolytics are a class of medications that are used to thin mucus in the airways. Excessive mucus production may be a sign of an acute exacerbation or worsening, of a chronic or short-term respiratory condition. Mucolytics can make the mucus in the respiratory tract thinner and less sticky, especially when mucus is thick and hard to cough up.
List of Mucolytics - Drugs.com
Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 1 Nov 2022), Cerner Multum™ (updated 25 Oct 2022), ASHP (updated 12 Oct 2022 ...
List of 23 Expectoration (Mucolysis) Medications Compared - Drugs.com
Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 1 Nov 2022), Cerner Multum™ (updated 25 Oct 2022), ASHP (updated 12 Oct 2022 ...
Mucolytics: a list of drugs for children and adults - DELACHIEVE.COM
Religious organizations are ... Religious organizations: overview, types, activities and interesting facts. Spiritual development
What are Mucolytic Agents or Mucolytics - Mucolytic
It is usually triggered by bacteria, viruses and pollutants. The most common viruses are rhinovirus, coronavirus and influenza virus. The common bacteria involved are H. influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, S. pneumoniae and Ps. pyogenes.
Mucolytics in cystic fibrosis - PubMed
Mucus accumulation in the lower airways is a key feature of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. The major component of mucus in CF is not mucin derived from mucus producing cells but rather pus that includes viscous material such as polymerized DNA derived from degraded neutrophils. This has importan …
What is mucolytics in continuing education?
Continuing Education Activity. Mucolytics are drugs used to manage mucus hypersecretion and its sequelae like recurrent infections in patients of COPD, cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis. They belong to a group of agents called mucoactive agents. This activity describes the different options and their respective mechanisms of action, indications, ...
What is mucolytics used for?
Mucolytics are drugs used to manage mucus hypersecretion and its sequelae like recurrent infections in patients of COPD, cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis. They belong to a group of agents called mucoactive agents. This activity describes the different options and their respective mechanisms of action, indications, ...
How does mucus affect the airways?
This leads to the formation of mucus plugs, which further decrease the clearance. The airways respond by secreting an excess of inflammatory mediators in an attempt to clear the obstruction. Unfortunately, this only worsens the condition as mucus viscosity increases, leading to further decreased clearance as well as the initiation of inflammation and fibrosis. This condition is only worsened because this static mucus is invaded by bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Thus, a vicious cycle initiates, which invariably ends with an acute exacerbation of the condition. Classic mucolytics like N-acetylcysteine are indicated in such conditions because they decrease mucus viscosity and increase its flowability, thereby improving its clearance.[1]
How many people die from COPD in the world?
WHO projects the global prevalence of COPD to be about 250 million, with about 3 million deaths each year. Unfortunately, this figure is expected to rise in the coming years, equating to a substantial socio-economic impact. Therefore, while research for the definitive treatment of COPD continues, it is imperative to divert attention to therapies that could improve the lifestyle and reduce acute exacerbations, hospital stay, and mortality in such patients. This area is where mucolytics show immense potential.
How does the airway respond to fibrosis?
The airways respond by secreting an excess of inflammatory mediators in an attempt to clear the obstruction. Unfortunately, this only worsens the condition as mucus viscosity increases, leading to further decreased clearance as well as the initiation of inflammation and fibrosis.
What are the airway secretions in cystic fibrosis?
In conditions like cystic fibrosis, mucus secretion is impaired, and thus the airway secretions mostly include filamentous actin polymers and inflammatory-cell derived DNA. These secretions are also thick and viscous and a frequent target of bacteria.
Which drugs have sulfhydryl groups?
Erdosteine and Fudosteine. These are newer drugs that are thiol derivatives and have additional anti-oxidant and anti-tussive actions. They have a sulfhydryl group in their active metabolite, called Met-1, which acts during the respiratory burst of the neutrophils.[4] .
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.
What are mucolytics?
In order to help a patient with a dry cough, the doctor usually prescribes mucolytics. The list of drugs included in this group is quite extensive. According to the method of influence on the human body, these medicines can be divided into three groups:
What is the best way to get rid of sputum in the respiratory system?
A completely new and modern way of getting rid of viscous sputum in respiratory organs is the use of ribonuclease or dornase alpha. This substance is a genetically engineered product, an analogue of the natural human enzyme, which is responsible for the cleavage of extracellular DNA.
What is riboxol broncho?
Rinicold Broncho is a drug that has three main active ingredients: ambroxol (15 mg), chlorphenamine (2 mg), phenylephrine (5 mg) and guaifenesin (100 mg). As a result of taking this syrup, the sputum viscosity in the bronchi decreases , expectoration is eased, lacrimation is eliminated, the itching sensation in the eyes and nose is observed, the edema and hyperemia of the mucous tissues of the respiratory system decrease. The drug is contraindicated in cases of convulsions, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, thyrotoxicosis, pheochromocytoma, closed type glaucoma, ulcer, prostate adenoma, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase insufficiency, pregnancy and lactation period, children under 6 years old, allergy to components. You can not drink this syrup with beta-adrenoblockers, tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, and with drugs containing the same active substances as Rinicold Broncho.
What is Dornase Alpha?
Dornase alpha is a part of the preparation "Pulmozim", which is available in the form of a solution for inhalation. The active substance content is 2.5 mg / 2.5 ml. This drug is successfully used in cystic fibrosis, as well as chronic lung diseases: bronchiectatic disease, COPD, congenital malformations in children, pneumonia, respiratory damage of immunodeficiency.
What substances contribute to the liquefaction of the mucous secretion by reducing its viscos?
Direct mucolytics. These substances contribute to the liquefaction of the mucous secretion by reducing its viscosity. Mucolytics include proteolytic enzymes, acetylcysteine, etc.
What is bromheksin used for?
Drugs containing this substance as an active ingredient are often prescribed for coughing, and are positioned as mucolytics. The list of drugs is limited to five pharmaceutical products. Getting into the human body, bromheksin acts as follows:
Is acetylcysteine a mucolytic?
Acetylcysteine effectively helps to thin phlegm, and therefore was included in the mucolytics group. The list of preparations with this active substance includes about two dozen names of medicines of various forms. Acetylcysteine is characterized by the following mechanisms of action:
What is the layer of mucus that sits atop a watery periciliary fluid?
In health, the airways are lined by a layer of protective mucus gel that sits atop a watery periciliary fluid. Mucus is an adhesive, viscoelastic gel, the biophysical properties of which are largely determined by entanglements of long polymeric gel-forming mucins, MUC5AC and MUC5B. This layer entraps and clears bacteria ...
What are mucoactive medications?
Mucoactive medications include expectorants, mucolytics, and mucokinetic drugs. Expectorants are meant to increase the volume of airway water or secretion in order to increase the effectiveness of cough.
How does mucokinetic agent increase the effectiveness of cough?
Mucokinetic agents can increase the effectiveness of cough, either by increasing expiratory cough airflow or by unsticking highly adhesive secretions from the airway walls. Aerosol surfactant is one of the most promising of this class of medications.
Does cystic fibrosis have mucus?
It also protects the airway from inhaled irritants and from fluid loss. In diseases such as cystic fibrosis there is almost no mucin ( and thus no mucus) in the airway; secretions consist of inflammatory-cell derived DNA and filamentous actin polymers, which is similar to pus.
What is mucolytics in continuing education?
Continuing Education Activity. Mucolytics are drugs used to manage mucus hypersecretion and its sequelae like recurrent infections in patients of COPD, cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis. They belong to a group of agents called mucoactive agents. This activity describes the different options and their respective mechanisms of action, indications, ...
What is mucolytics used for?
Mucolytics are drugs used to manage mucus hypersecretion and its sequelae like recurrent infections in patients of COPD, cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis. They belong to a group of agents called mucoactive agents. This activity describes the different options and their respective mechanisms of action, indications, ...
How does mucus affect the airways?
This leads to the formation of mucus plugs, which further decrease the clearance. The airways respond by secreting an excess of inflammatory mediators in an attempt to clear the obstruction. Unfortunately, this only worsens the condition as mucus viscosity increases, leading to further decreased clearance as well as the initiation of inflammation and fibrosis. This condition is only worsened because this static mucus is invaded by bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Thus, a vicious cycle initiates, which invariably ends with an acute exacerbation of the condition. Classic mucolytics like N-acetylcysteine are indicated in such conditions because they decrease mucus viscosity and increase its flowability, thereby improving its clearance.[1]
How many people die from COPD in the world?
WHO projects the global prevalence of COPD to be about 250 million, with about 3 million deaths each year. Unfortunately, this figure is expected to rise in the coming years, equating to a substantial socio-economic impact. Therefore, while research for the definitive treatment of COPD continues, it is imperative to divert attention to therapies that could improve the lifestyle and reduce acute exacerbations, hospital stay, and mortality in such patients. This area is where mucolytics show immense potential.
How does the airway respond to fibrosis?
The airways respond by secreting an excess of inflammatory mediators in an attempt to clear the obstruction. Unfortunately, this only worsens the condition as mucus viscosity increases, leading to further decreased clearance as well as the initiation of inflammation and fibrosis.
What are the airway secretions in cystic fibrosis?
In conditions like cystic fibrosis, mucus secretion is impaired, and thus the airway secretions mostly include filamentous actin polymers and inflammatory-cell derived DNA. These secretions are also thick and viscous and a frequent target of bacteria.
Which drugs have sulfhydryl groups?
Erdosteine and Fudosteine. These are newer drugs that are thiol derivatives and have additional anti-oxidant and anti-tussive actions. They have a sulfhydryl group in their active metabolite, called Met-1, which acts during the respiratory burst of the neutrophils.[4] .
When You Might Need A Mucolytic
Types of Mucolytics
- Mucolytics belong to a group of mucoactive agents. They work by reducing the viscosity (thickness and stickiness) of mucus in the airways. They do so by dissolving the chemical bonds within the secretions, causing them to thin so they can be coughed up more readily. There are two types of mucolytics used in specific circumstances: 1. Classic mucolytics: These are the more c…
Formulations
- Mucolytics can be taken orally (by mouth) in tablet, capsule, or syrup form. Or, it can be inhaled either with an aerosol inhaler or in a mist form through a machine called a nebulizer. The dosage varies by the drug, formulation, and condition being treated. OTC formulations are generally taken two to three times daily at the prescribed dose. Taking more than the recommended dose won't …
Possible Side Effects
- The side effects of mucolytics also vary by drug type and formulation. OTC mucolytics like Mucinex or Mucolyte may, on occasion, cause mild side effects such as: 1. Dizziness 2. Headache 3. Drowsiness 4. Stomach upset 5. Nausea or vomiting Many of the same can occur with prescription mucolytics, along with diarrhea, rash, and dark stools (due to ga...
Precautions and Contraindications
- Mucolytics are generally considered safe when used as prescribed, but they should not be used in children under 6. You should also consult your healthcare provider before taking mucolytics if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Summary
- Mucolytics are a class of drugs that break up mucus in the airways so that it can be coughed up more easily. Some are available over the counter, while others require a prescription from a healthcare provider. Mucolytics can treat a wide range of respiratory conditions involving excess mucus in the airways, including asthma, bronchiectasis, the common cold, COPD, cystic fibrosis…
A Word from Verywell
- OTC mucolytics like Mucinex are effective, but they are not intended for long-term use. If you continue to have a persistent or worsening cough with mucus after seven days, call your healthcare provider. Other, more effective treatments may be needed.