expectorant

More about Expectorants: Purpose Recommended dosage Precautions Side effects Interactions

Definition

Expectorants are drugs that loosen and clear mucus and phlegm from the respiratory tract.

Description

Guaifenesin is an ingredient in many cough medicines, such as Anti-Tuss, Dristan Cold & Cough, Guaifed, GuaiCough, and some Robitussin products. Some products that contain guaifenesin are available only with a physician's prescription; others can be bought without a prescription. They come in several forms, including capsules, tablets, and liquids.

— Nancy Ross-Flanigan

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adj.
Promoting or facilitating the secretion or expulsion of phlegm, mucus, or other matter from the respiratory tract.

n.
An expectorant medicine.

Definition

Expectorants are drugs that loosen and clear mucus and phlegm from the respiratory tract.

Description

There are two drugs that are routinely used to clear mucus from the respiratory tract: guaifenesin and acetylcysteine. Guaifenesin may be taken by mouth and is an ingredient in many over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. Although acetylcysteine is by far the more reliable of the two, it must be administered with special inhalation equipment or instilled directly into the trachea.

Other drugs have been used as expectorants, but lack evidence of either efficacy or safety or both:

• ammonium chloride
• bromhexine
• ipecacuanha
• potassium iodide
• wild cherry syrup

These drugs, and others, are not in common use, although wild cherry syrup may be used as a flavoring agent in some liquid cough preparations. Some home remedies, including chicken soup and hot tea, may also be useful in breaking up mucus.

General Use

Guaifenesin, the only medicinal product in common use as an expectorant, is an ingredient in many cough medicines, such as Anti-Tuss, Dristan Cold & Cough, Guaifed, GuaiCough, and some Robitussin products. Some products that contain guaifenesin are available only with a physician's prescription; others can be bought without a prescription. They come in several forms: capsules, tablets, and liquids. There is some dispute, even among experts, about whether guaifenesin is an effective expectorant. In some studies, it has been useful, while in others it has not shown any value. Guaifenesin should not be given to children under the age of two years unless directed by a physician.

Precautions

Guaifenesin is not meant to be used for coughs associated with asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or smoking. It also should not be used for coughs that are producing a large amount of mucus. A lingering cough could be a sign of a serious medical condition. Coughs that last more than seven days or are associated with fever, rash, sore throat, or lasting headache should have medical attention. Parents should call a physician as soon as possible.

Side Effects

Side effects are rare but may include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, headache, skin rash, and hives.

Interactions

Guaifenesin is not known to interact with any foods or other drugs. However, cough medicines that contain guaifenesin may contain other ingredients that do interact with foods or drugs. Parents should check with a physician or pharmacist for details about specific products.

Because the value of guaifenesin is uncertain, while the adverse effects have been documented, parents should consider using alternatives to guaifenesin-containing cough remedies for children.

Parental Concerns

There is no good evidence either for or against the use of over-the-counter products for treatment of coughs. Parents may wish to avoid using cough remedies for children unless instructed to do so by a physician. Expectorants are for use only in coughs with mucus production, sometimes called productive coughs. They are of no value in coughs without mucus, sometimes called dry coughs or non-productive coughs. The recommended dosage on the product label should not be exceeded. A calibrated medicinal teaspoon, not a household teaspoon, should be used to measure any medication.

See also Cough supressants; Decongestants.

Resources

Books

Mcevoy, Gerald K., et al. AHFS Drug Information 2004. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Healthsystems Pharmacists, 2004.

Siberry, George, and Robert Iannone, eds. The Harriet Lane Handbook, 15th ed. Philadelphia: Mosby, 2000.

Periodicals

Hopkins, Alan B. "Chicken soup cure may not be a myth." Nurse Practitioner 28, no. 6 (June 2003): 16–18.

Web Sites

"Cough Expectorant." Family Practice Notebook. Available online at www.fpnotebook.com/LUN116.htm (accessed September 29, 2004).

"What's the difference between an expectorant and a cough suppressant?" Parent Center. Available online at (accessed September 29, 2004).

[Article by: Nancy Ross-Flanigan Samuel Uretsky, PharmD]

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1. promoting expectoration.
2. an agent that promotes expectoration.

• liquefying e. — an expectorant that promotes the ejection of mucus from the respiratory tract by decreasing its viscosity.

Dansk (Danish)
n. - slimløsende middel
adj. - slimløsende

Nederlands (Dutch)
medicijn tegen slijm in longen/keel, slijmverdrijvend

Français (French)
n. - expectorant
adj. - expectorant

Deutsch (German)
n. - Hustenmittel
adj. - aushustend

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - αποχρεμπτικό
adj. - αποχρεμπτικός

Italiano (Italian)
espettorante

Português (Portuguese)
n., -
adj. - expectorante (m)

Русский (Russian)
отхаркивающее средство

Español (Spanish)
n. - expectorante
adj. - expectorante

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - slemlösande medel
adj. - slemlösande

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
祛痰剂, 化痰的, 助咳的

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 祛痰劑
adj. - 化痰的, 助咳的

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 거담제
adj. - 가래를 나오게 하는

日本語 (Japanese)
adj. - 粘液を喀出する
n. - 去痰薬

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) دواء مقشع (صفه) منخم, مقشع‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮מכייח, מסייע ליריקה, תרופה הגורמת לשיעול ולפליטת ליחה‬
adj. - ‮מכייח, מוציא כיח, גורם לשיעול‬

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Sudafed Expectorant Liquid Caps