Ambroxol

Ambroxol is an expectorant drug that belongs to the group of expectorants. Ambroxol is indicated for secretolytic therapy in bronchopulmonary diseases with abnormal mucus secretion and transport. Mucus is more easily cleared and the patient's breathing is facilitated. It is often administered in the form of cough syrups, but is also given in lozenge form.

It was patented in 1966 and came into medical use in 1979.

Indications

• Asthma
• COPD
• Acute/chronic bronchitis
• Colds
• Cystic fibrosis

Pharmacodynamics

The compound acts on the mucous membranes to restore physiologic clearance mechanisms of the airways (which play an important role in the body's natural defenses) by several mechanisms, including dissolving mucus, stimulating mucus production, and stimulating the synthesis and release of surfactant by type II pneumocytes.

Ambroxol also binds and inhibits Na channels in pain-conducting peripheral nerve cells. This is due to its structural similarity to substances from the group of local anesthetics. This results in pain relief, which is why ambroxol is also suitable as an agent for the symptomatic treatment of sore throat. However, the analgesic effect is inferior to that of other analgesics, which is why there is no explicit recommendation for the use of ambroxol in sore throats.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption is rapid and almost complete. Protein binding is 90% and plasma half-life is usually between 7 and 12 hours.

Side effects

• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Fever
• Chills

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Renal dysfunction
• Liver dysfunction
• Bronchoconstriction

Toxicological data

LD50, mouse, oral: 2720 mg-kg-1