Expectorants and antitussives

Dr.Jibachha Sah
M.V.Sc (Pharmacology)
College of veterinary science, NPI,
Bhojard,Chitwan
Expectorant: A medication that helps bring up mucus and
other material from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea.
Mechanism of action

Expectorants – induce coughing

Mucolytics – thin the mucus.

Mucokinetics – enables easier transportation of cough

Mucoregulators – suppress underlying mechanisms of mucus hypersecretion

 ● Cough receptors (chemo-and-mechano receptors ) lie in mucosa of the bronchial tree
from the nose to the distal bronchi.

● The impulses from these receptors are transmitted through the vagus and
glossopharyngeal nerves to the cough center in the medulla.

Mechanism of cough production

The cough receptors lie in the mucosa of the bronchial tree. Afferent impulses passes to
the medulla. Then an autonomic sequence of events is triggered by medulla causing
certain effects.
Two Basic Types of Cough

● Productive cough Congested, removes excessive secretions

● Nonproductive cough Dry cough

Classification of cough
● Acute:- less than 3 weeks.

● Sub-Acute:- between 3-8 weeks.

● Chronic:- longer than 8 weeks. 9

 Different between Expectorants and mucolytic

Expectorants and mucolytic agents are different types of medication, yet both are intended
to promote drainage of mucus from the lungs.

An expectorant increases bronchial secretions and mucolytics help loosen thick

bronchial secretions.

One expectorant, guaifenesin, is commonly available in many cough syrups and also as
long release tablets.
Mucoactive drugs
Many mucoactive drugs are available, including sodium citrate or potassium
citrate, potassium iodide, guaifenesin, tolu balsam, vasaka, and ammonium
chloride.

Mucolytic drugs available

include acetylcysteine, ambroxol, bromhexine, carbocisteine, erdosteine, mecys
teine,[4] and dornase alfa.
 Antitussives
Antitussives are medicines that suppress coughing, also known as cough suppressants.

CLASSIFICATION

1) CENTRALLY ACTING ANTITUSSIVE:-

Narcotic antitussive:- Codeine Hydrocodone Oxycodone

Narcotic antitussive:- antitussive:- Dextromethorphan Noscapine Propoxyphene

2) PERIPHERALLY ACTING ANTITUSSIVE:-

Mucosal anaesthetics:- Benzonatate Chlophedianol

Hydrating agents:- Steam Aerosols

Miscellaneous:- Bromhexine
ANTITUSSIVE MOA

●OPIOIDS:- Suppress the cough reflex by acting on the cough center in the medulla.

● NON-OPIODS:- Suppress the cough reflex by numbing the stretch receptors in the
respiratory tract and preventing the cough reflex from being stimulated
ANTITUSSIVE INDICATION

●Used to stop the cough reflex when the cough is non-productive i.e dry cough

ANTITUSSIVE CONTRAINDICATIONS

● Asthma
● COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
● Hypersensitivity
● Head injury
● Pregnancy
The cough reflex
Antitussive Drugs

Drug Dosage

Codeine Dogs: 1–2 mg/kg, PO, bid-qid

Hydrocodone Dogs: 0.25 mg/kg, PO, bid-qid

Dogs: 0.055–0.11 mg/kg, SC, bid-qid,

Butorphanol or 0.55–1.1 mg/kg, PO, bid-qid
Cats: 0.1–0.4 mg/kg, SC, bid-qid
Doses of Drugs Used To Treat Disorders of the Respiratory Tract