How does Ambroxol Hydrochloride treat productive cough?

Ambroxol hydrochloride is a mucolytic agent with systemic activity. It treats productive cough by breaking down mucopolysaccharide fibers within the sputum to make it thinner and less viscous. In this way, the sputum can be easily removed by coughing. The sputum viscosity remains low as long as you continue the treatment.

Doctors prescribe ambroxol hydrochloride in a wide range of respiratory diseases in which there is a production of excessive quantities of mucous.

Brand Names of Ambroxol Hydrochloride

• Mucobrox (Spain)
• Muciclar (Itlay)
• Bisolvon (Australia)
• Ambolar
• Brontex
• Mucol
• Lasolvan
• Mucosolvan
• Surbronc

Dosage Forms of Ambroxol Hydrochloride:

1. Syrup (15 mg of ambroxol hydrochloride is present in 5 ml of syrup)
2. Tablet (30 mg of ambroxol hydrochloride is present in one tablet)
3. Dry powder sachets
4. Effervescent tablets
5. Inhalation solutions
6. Drops
7. Ampules

Uses of Ambroxol Hydrochloride

We can treat the following conditions with ambroxol hydrochloride:

1. Chronic Inflammatory pulmonary conditions
2. Tracheobronchitis ( It helps with preventing excessive cough and mucous production)
3. Bronchitis with bronchospasm pneumonia
4. Bronchiectasis
5. Emphysema (It helps with inflammation of airways and constant cough)
6. Ambroxol is also an active agent in some cough syrups.
7. Owing to its anesthetic effect, it can treat sore throat and reduces pain on swallowing.
8. It can treat Parkinson’s disease due to its positive effect on the activity of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase.

How does Ambroxol Hydrochloride work?

Ambroxol hydrochloride alleviates productive cough and works by breaking down mucopolysaccharidefibers within the sputum to make it thinner and less viscous. In this way, the sputum can easily spit out on coughing (expectoration). The sputum viscosity remains low as long as you continue the treatment. This allows patients to breathe comfortably.

Another mechanism by which this medication works is the release of surfactant by pulmonary alveoli. Surfactant is a substance that reduces adherence of mucous to the bronchus. Thisindeed protects against infection.

Dosage

• Age up to 2 years: A half teaspoon of ambroxolhydrochloride syrup two times a day
• Age 2-5 years: A half teaspoon of the syrup thrice a day
• Above 5 years: One teaspoon of ambroxol syrup thrice a day
• For adults: the recommended dose is 30 mg (one tablet) to 120 mg (four tablets) two to three times a day

Directions to use Ambroxol Hydrochloride

• Read the leaflet thoroughly which comes with the medication before starting ambroxol hydrochloride. Follow your physician’s instructions properly.
• In case of any queries, consult your physician from time to time to guide you.
• Do not increase the dose of the medication without consulting your health care provider.
• Take the medication regularly at a fixed time to achieve maximum benefits.
• The medication can be taken with or without food.
• Swallow it as a whole (in the case of tablet). Do not chew, crush or break it.
• it is advised not to consume more than the recommended dose.
• Do not use it after the expiration date.
• In case of bronchitis, doctors prescribe antibiotics (such as amoxicillin) along with ambroxol hydrochloride for better relief.

Precautions

• Before you start using ambroxol hydrochloride, inform your doctor if youare allergic to the medication or any active or inactive ingredient in the medication.
• Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
• Store in a cool and dry place.
• Use the medication according to the doctor’s instructions. Do not increase the dosage or frequency as it can result in aggravation of side effects.
• Do not use ambroxol hydrochloride after the expiry date.
• Dispose of the medicine properly and do not flush it down the toilet.
• If you take the medication out of its original packing or container, it cannot be stored properly. So keep it in its original container for proper storage.
• Do not keep it in moist conditions such as in the washroom or at the sink. Moisture can destroy the medication.
• Do not share or recommend the medication to anyone else even if they have the same symptoms.
• Do not use the medication for other diseases for which the doctor did not prescribe it.

Side Effects of Ambroxol Hydrochloride

Your doctor might be well aware of your condition and would have recommended the medication after weighing the risks against its benefits. Nevertheless, side effects are prone to occur in some population, and these include:

1. Gastrointestinal discomfort
2. Skin rash
3. Weakness
4. Dizziness
5. Indigestion
6. Diarrhea
7. Taste disturbances
8. Dry mouth
9. Allergies
10.  Numbness in mouth and throat
11. Heartburn
12. Abdominal pain
13. Infections

Contraindications of Ambroxol Hydrochloride

Do not use Ambroxol Hydrochloride in the case of:

1. Patients with gastric ulcerations
2. Pregnancy

Although there is a limited study available regarding the harmful effects of ambroxol on humans, it is unsafe to use in pregnancy. Always consult your doctor before starting with the medication during pregnancy (particularly in the first trimester).

3. Breastfeeding

The drug might pass into the breast milk. So lactating mothers are advised not to take the medication.

4. Kidney and liver disease

Dosage adjustment might be required in kidney disease. So inform your doctor if you suffer from kidney disease before taking this medication.

5. Patients with lactose intolerance

Ambroxol hydrochloride contains lactose as an inactive ingredient. For that reason, it is not suitable for usage in a patient who have lactase enzyme deficiency (lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose sugar).

6. Chronic cough
7. Asthma
8. Allergic reaction:

If you are allergic toany active or inactive ingredient in this medication, do not take this medication and inform your doctor about any allergic reaction.

Interactions of Ambroxol Hydrochloride with other medications

Before starting ambroxol hydrochloride, inform your doctor about all prescription and non-prescription drugs you are already taking.Certain medications can have reactions when given with other medicines, so they should not be used together.Keep a list of all the medicines with you and show it to your doctor. Above all, do not start or stop any medication by yourself without consulting your doctor.

Ambroxol has mild to severe interactions with other drugs. Inform your doctor if you take any of the following medications:

• Immune-suppressing medications
• Chemotherapy
• Antibiotics (as ambroxol HCL increases the penetration of antibiotics)

Reactions in case of other medical problems

Inform your doctor if you suffer from other medical problems as it can interfere with the use of this medication.

Tell your doctor if you especially have the following medical problems:

• Cold
• Weakened immune system (such as in AIDS and organ transplant patients who are taking immune-suppressing medications)

For how long can I take ambroxol hydrochloride?

Your doctor will adjust your dosage according to your condition as the dosage is individualized. However, you should not take ambroxol for more than 4 to 5 days without consulting your health care provider.

Storage

Store ambroxol hydrochloride in a cool and dry place. Keep it away from moisture and heat. The temperature should be between 15 to 30 degrees Celsius. Do not place in the refrigerator in any case.

Addiction Liability

Ambroxol HCL can cause mild drowsiness and dizziness. However, it is not a habit-forming drug i.e., it has no abuse potential.

When to visit the doctor

Your doctor may prescribe you ambroxol hydrochloride in the view that its benefits are greater than the risk of side effects. However, inform your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms or if the side effects worsen:

1. Yellow or green coloured sputum
2. Trouble in breathing
3. Blood in mucus
4. Chest pain
5. High-grade fever
6. Eye swelling
7. Skin lesions

Overdosage

Overdosing on this drug can have severe effects. If someone has overdosed on ambroxol HCL, contact your doctor as soon as possible or the poison control center.

Overdosage means more frequent use of the drug than your doctor prescribed or used in higher doses than recommended.

Ambroxol Hydrochloride Guaifenesin:

This is a combination medication consisting of ambroxol, guaifenesin, and levosalbutamol. It treats productive cough effectively.

Ambroxol is a mucolytic that thins the mucous and makes it less viscous. This makes it easier to cough out the mucous. Guaifenesin is an expectorant that reduces the adherence of mucous to the bronchial passages and makes the removal of mucus easy at the same time. Levosalbutamol is a bronchodilator that dilates the bronchial airways. This is due to its ability to relax smooth muscles in particular.

A Little Comprehension

To summarize, ambroxol hydrochloride is basically a mucolytic agent. This means that it makes the sputum thinner and less viscous. In this way, it helps cure productive cough. Moreover, it can help treat Parkinson’s disease and Gaucher disease due to its ability to increase the activity of the lysosomal enzyme, glucocerebrosidase. Avoid its use in pregnant and breastfeeding women, patients of liver and kidney disease, and patients with asthma or chronic cough. Taking the medication regularly at fixed times and in doses advised by your doctor can result in rapid and better effects in the long run.

Frequently asked questions