What Is an Expectorant?

Sputum is a product of inflammation of the respiratory tract, which can irritate the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, cause cough, and aggravate infection. Expectorants can change the sticky components in sputum, reduce the viscosity of sputum, and make sputum easy to cough.

Expectorants can be divided into three categories according to their mode of action:

1. Nausea and irritant expectorants : such as ammonium chloride and guaifenesin are nausea expectorants, which can stimulate the gastric mucosa after oral administration, cause mild nausea, and reflexively increase the secretion of respiratory glands, Therefore, the slimy sputum can be easily diluted. The irritant expectorants are volatile substances, such as eucalyptus oil, benzoin tincture, etc. When added to boiling water, the volatilization of steam can also stimulate the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, increase secretion, and make sputum dilution easier Out

2. Sputum dissolving agent: such as acetylcysteine, which can decompose the viscous components in the sputum, liquefy the sputum, reduce the viscosity and easily spit out;

3. Mucus regulators: such as bromhexine hydrochloride and carbocisteine, which act on mucus-producing cells in the trachea and bronchi, reduce the viscosity of secretions, thin the sputum, and easily exudate.

Chinese name: Expectorant
Foreign name: Expectorant

Meaning of sputum: Product of respiratory inflammation
Genus: Nausea expectorant

Expectorants Common Drugs

Expectorant ammonium chloride

[Drug name] Ammonium chloride

[Indications] This product causes chemical stimulation to the gastric mucosa by oral administration, which increases the secretion of respiratory glands through the vagus nerve, making the mucous sputum thin and easy to cough. It is suitable for those who have dry cough and sticky sputum.

[Caution for use] Use with caution when renal insufficiency to prevent hyperchloric acidosis.

[Contraindications] Disabled when hepatic insufficiency.

Drug interaction This product is incompatible with chlortetracycline, neomycin, furantoin, sulfadiazine and warfarin.

[Formulation] Tablet: 0.3 g; solution: 10%

[Usage and Dosage] Oral. 0.3 0.6g / time, 3 times / day.

Medication observation

Adverse reactions have oral gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea and vomiting.

Precautions Overdose can cause hyperchloric acidosis, hypokalemia, and hyponatremia.

Guaifenesin

[Drug name] Guaifenesin

[Other names] Guaiacol glyceryl ether, Guaifenesin, Glycerol guaiac

Indications This product can stimulate gastric mucosa after oral administration, which can cause bronchial secretion to increase, reduce the viscosity of sputum, and has a strong expectorant effect. For bronchitis, chronic suppurative bronchitis, lung abscess, bronchiectasis, etc. Combined with antitussive or antiasthmatic drugs can improve antitussive or antiasthmatic effects.

[Contraindications] Patients with acute gastroenteritis, pulmonary hemorrhage, and nephritis are contraindicated.

[Formulation] Syrup. Each 100ml contains 1 g of guaifenesin, 0.1 g of cevicum, 20 mg of chlorpheniramine, and 10 mg of menthol.

[Usage and Dosage] Orally, 3 to 4 times a day. For adults, 5 to 10 ml each time; for children, 0.5 to 1 ml per time, 3 to 4 times daily.

[Medication observation] Occasionally nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort.

Carbostane

Medical Name Carbocisteine

Others Carboxymethylcysteine, Qianglitan, Baling, Qianlin

[Indications] Mucus regulators are suitable for patients with thick sputum that is difficult to cough due to chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma. Reduce the viscosity of sputum and easy to cough. The product is effective when taken orally, with rapid onset of action, and has obvious curative effect after 4 hours.

[Caution for Use] Use with caution in patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers who have a bleeding tendency.

[Formulation] Tablet, oral solution, syrup

[Usage and Dosage] Oral. Adults 0.25 to 0.75 grams each time, 3 times a day. Decrease the dose in children.

Medication observation

Adverse reactions occasionally include mild dizziness, nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding, and rash.

Precautions (1) Use with caution in patients with peptic ulcer; (2) Use with caution in lactating women and children under 2 years of age.

Bromhexine hydrochloride

[Drug Name] Bromhexine Hydrochloride (Bisolvon)

Other names Bromhexium bromide

Indications The mucus regulator has a strong role in dissolving sputum and thinning sputum; reducing the viscosity of sputum for easy extraction. For patients with chronic bronchitis, asthma, etc. Gastrointestinal absorption is fast and complete, and plasma concentration peaks 1 hour after oral absorption.

[Careful Use Card] Use with caution in patients with gastritis or patients with gastric ulcer.

[Drug Interactions] This product can increase the concentration of tetracycline antibiotics in the bronchus, and when combined, can enhance the antibacterial efficacy of such antibiotics.

[Formulation] Tablet

[Usage and Dosage] Oral. 8 to 16 mg each time, 3 times a day. Children over 6 years old take 4 to 8 mg 3 times a day.

Medication observation

Adverse reactions occasionally nausea, upset stomach, can be reduced after reduction or withdrawal.

Precautions Occasionally, the serum aminotransferase is temporarily elevated, but it can recover on its own.

Acetylcysteine

[Drug name] Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)

[Other names] Meikeshu, easy phlegm, easy cough, moke powder

[Indications] For acute and chronic bronchitis with excessive thick sputum and bronchiectasis.

[Contraindications] Use with caution in patients with bronchial asthma.

[Drug interaction] This product can reduce the efficacy of penicillin, cephalosporin, tetracycline, etc. It should not be mixed or used together. If necessary, it can be used alternately at intervals of 4 hours. This product is used with iodinated oil, chymodin, trypsin Incompatibility.

[Formulation] Spray, granule

[Usage and dosage] Oral: Adult, 0.2g once, 2-3 times a day. Children, 0.1g at a time, 2-3 times a day; spray inhalation: use 0.9% sodium chloride solution to make 10% spray inhalation, 1 to 3 ml each time, 2 to 3 times a day.

Medication observation

Adverse reactions can cause cough, bronchospasm, vomiting, nausea, gastritis and other adverse reactions, usually reduced by reducing the pain. In case of nausea and severe vomiting, the administration may be suspended.

Precautions It should not be in contact with metal, rubber, and oxidants. The sprayer should be made of glass or plastic. It should be temporarily dissolved during application. The remaining solution should be stored in the refrigerator and used up within 48 hours.

Expectorant Ambroxol Hydrochloride Tablets

Drug Name Ambroxol Hydrochloride Tablets

[Other names] Ampsoe, Belle

Indications Expectorants and over-the-counter medicines. Suitable for those with thick phlegm and difficult to cough.

[Careful Use Card] Use with caution within the first three months of pregnancy.

[Formulation] Tablet, 30 mg / tablet.

[Usage and Dosage] Oral. 1 to 2 tablets each time, 3 times a day, after meals.

[Medication observation] Occasionally rash, occasional abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Ermu Ning cough pills

Name of Medicine Ermu Ningshu Wan

[Functions and Indications] Qingfei Runzao, Huatanzhike. It is used for cough and yellow phlegm, which is difficult to come out, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and sore throat.

[Caution for use] Patients who have a cold or cough, or have a large amount of phlegm and continue to expectorate, should not take it.

[Drug interactions] Avoid spicy things.

[Composition and Specifications] Fritillaria chuanxiong, Zhimu, plaster, gardenia (fried), Scutellaria baicalensis, mulberry (honey), Poria, melon gardenia (fried), tangerine peel, coriander (brain fried), licorice ( Honey Zhi), Schisandra (steamed). 9 grams per pill.

[Usage and Dosage] Oral. 1 pill each time, 2 times a day. Ermu Ning cough granules (granules) 10 g per bag. Take 10 grams of boiled water twice a day.

Expectorant Phlegm Oral Liquid

Name of Medicine Tongxuanlifei Oral Liquid

[Functions and Indications] The solution is to disperse colds, and to relieve lungs and cough. It is used for cold, cough, poor expectoration, fever, chills, nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, no sweat, and sore limbs. Cold and acute bronchitis can also be taken if you see the above symptoms.

Careful use card Those with wind-heat, cold, and yin deficiency cough should not use it. Patients with hypertension and heart disease should use it with caution.

[Contraindications] Patients with diabetes should not take it.

Drug interaction Avoid eating cold greasy food.

[Composition and Specifications] Perilla leaf, Formosan husk, Chinese bellflower, bitter almond, ephedra, licorice, tangerine peel, pinellia (manufactured), Poria, coriander shell (fried), Scutellaria. 10 ml each.

[Usage and Dosage] Oral. 20 ml each time, 2 to 3 times a day; halving the dosage for children over 7 years old, and 1/3 for children between 3 and 7 years old. Other dosage forms: Tongxuanli Fei Wan (concentrated pills) oral: 8 to 10 pills each time, 2 to 3 times a day. The dosage for children over 7 years old is halved, and the dosage for children between 3 and 7 years old is 1/3; Tongxuanli Fei Wan (Da Mi Wan) oral: 2 pills each time, 2 to 3 times a day; children over 7 years old The dosage is halved, and the dosage for 3 to 7 years old is 1/3; Tongxuanlifei granules (tetanus cough powder) are 9 grams per bag. Boiling water: 9 grams each time, 2 times a day. Not suitable for diabetic patients; Tongxuanli Lung Paste 60 grams per bottle. Oral: 15 grams each time, twice a day; Tongxuanlifei capsules 0.3 grams each. Oral: 2 capsules each time, 2 to 3 times daily.

Expectorant Orange Red Tablets

Name of Medicine

[Functions and Indications] Reducing phlegm and relieving cough. For coughing sputum, sputum is not easy to come out. Acute, chronic bronchitis, asthma, etc. who see the above symptoms can also take it.

[Drug interactions] Avoid spicy and greasy things.

[Composition and Specifications] Orange red, tangerine peel, pinellia (manufactured), Poria, licorice, eustoma, bitter almond, perilla seed (fried), aster, coltsfoot flower, melon peel, Zhejiang Fritillaria, Dihuang, Ophiopogon, plaster. 0.5 g each.

[Usage and Dosage] Oral. 6 tablets each time, 2 times a day. Other dosage forms: Orange granules (granules) 11 g per bag. Boiling water: 1 bag each time, 2 times a day. Patients with diabetes should not take this dosage form; Orange Red Pills (Xiao Mi Wan or Da Mi Wan) taken orally: Xiaomi Wan 12 grams each time, Da Mi Wan 2 pills each time, 2 times a day.

Lily Gujin Pills

Name of Medicine Lily Gujin Pill

[Functions and Indications] Nourish the yin and nourish the lungs, reduce phlegm and relieve cough. For lung and kidney yin deficiency, dry cough and less phlegm, dry throat and sore throat. Chronic bronchitis and chronic pharyngitis can also be taken if you see the above symptoms.

[Contraindications] Those with spleen deficiency and diarrhea should not use it.

[Drug interaction] Avoid greasy, cold and spicy food and tobacco and alcohol.

[Composition and specifications] Lily, Rehmannia glutinosa, Rehmannia glutinosa, Ophiopogon japonicus, Fritillaria chuanxiong, Angelica, Baiji, Lisianthus, Licorice Big honey pills are 9 grams each.

[Usage and Dosage] Oral. Big honey pills 1 pill each time, 2 times a day. Other dosage forms: Lily Gujin Concentrated Pills for oral administration: 8 pills each time, 3 times a day; Lily Gujin Oral Liquid for 20 ml each. Oral: 20 ml each time, 3 times a day. Peer reduction. The course of treatment is 2 weeks, and 2 courses can be combined.

Expectorant ambroterol oral solution

[Drug name] Ambroterol oral solution

[Functions and Indications] Treatment of acute and chronic respiratory diseases (such as acute and chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, emphysema, etc.) caused by cough, thick sputum, difficulty in sputum drainage, wheezing, etc.

[Contraindications] Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

[Drug interactions] Xanthines, steroids, and diuretics

[Composition and Specifications] Compound preparation composed of ambroxol hydrochloride and clenbuterol hydrochloride

[Usage and dosage] Pediatrics (under 12 years old): Take orally, 2.5 ~ 15ml once, twice a day. Adjust the dose according to age and weight, please refer to the table below. 2) Children and adults over 12 years old: take orally, 20ml once a day, twice a day; after the symptoms have improved significantly, it can be reduced to 10ml once a day, 2 to 3 times a day; for patients with severe dyspnea, take an oral dose for the first 2 to 3 days 20ml, 3 times a day. ^[1]

Expectorant, expectorant, food

1. Pear: There are Shengjin Runzao, clearing heat and reducing phlegm, attending fever and injury, fever, cough and irritability.

2. Garlic: It has the effect of resolving phlegm and relieving cough.

3, radish: can eliminate phlegm and flatulence.

4, Artemisia annua: warming the stomach, nourishing the intestines, improving the stomach, reducing phlegm.

5. Gourd: sweet, light and flat in nature; Runfei cough.

6, bamboo shoots: have thirst, Qi, phlegm, prevent cough and other effects.

7. Persimmon: It has the functions of clearing heat, relieving cough, moisturizing the intestines, resolving phlegm and releasing bleeding.

8. Almonds: There are treatments for asthma, cough, qi reversal, phlegm accumulation, and shortness of breath.

9. Lily: It has the effects of warming the lungs and phlegm, clearing heat and soothe the nerves, nourishing yin and clearing the heart.

10. Apple: It has the effects of replenishing heart and qi, promoting hydration, relieving cough, and lowering blood pressure.

11. Sugarcane: It has the effects of nourishing yin and moistening, regulating the stomach and nourishing the lungs and relieving cough.

12. Ginger: It has the effects of dispersing cold, stopping vomiting, and dispelling.

13. Figs: Spleen-clearing intestines, swelling and detoxification, and anti-cancer effects of pharyngeal, treating indigestion, enteritis, dysentery, constipation, hemorrhoids, sore throat, scabies and scabies.

14, jellyfish: phlegm cough, hyperactivity of liver yang: jellyfish skin (bleached) 30g, fresh jellyfish 120g, cooked, and also cure lymph tuberculosis.

15, Luo Han Guo: Qingfei cough, lung heat cough and wind-heat cough should be taken. You can use 1 Luo Han Guo, 15 grams of persimmon, decoction.

16, can phlegm, clearing heat, especially for those with hot cough and spit. You can use 250 grams of fresh ravioli each time, wash and peel, peel it with boiling water, eat it raw, once in the morning and evening, even for 3 to 5 days.

17, fat sea: have heat, lungs, cough. For exogenous people: five pieces of fat sea, one piece of licorice (3 grams), stewed tea drink, old and young people can add a little rock sugar.

18, duck eggs: cool and sweet, can clear lung heat.

19. Seaweed has a sweet, salty and cold taste, which can dispel phlegm, soften heat and clear heat. "Cough and spit sputum (including lung abscess, bronchiectasis, etc.): Porphyra latifolia, refined honey is a pill, 6 grams per serving, 2 or 3 times a day, after meals." Wind-heat cough spitting yellow thick smelly, suitable for eating.

20. Tofu: It has the effect of clearing heat and moisturizing, clearing heat, relieving cough, and reducing phlegm. It is especially suitable for those who have cough with wind or lung fever. You can also choose 1 piece of tofu skin, with the right amount of rock sugar, and eat it after cooking with water. It also has a therapeutic effect on lung cough.