Ambroxol

Ambroxol

File:Ambroxol structural formulae.png
Systematic (IUPAC) name
trans-4-(2-Amino-3,5-dibrombenzylamino)-cyclohexanol
Identifiers
CAS Number	18683-91-5
ATC code	R05CB06 (WHO)
PubChem	CID 2132
ChemSpider	10276826
Chemical data
Formula	C13H18Br2N2O
Molar mass	378.10[[]]

Ambroxol is a secretolytic agent used in the treatment of respiratory diseases associated with viscid or excessive mucus. It is the active ingredient of Mucosolvan, Lasolvan or Mucoangin. The substance is a mucoactive drug with several properties including secretolytic and secretomotoric actions that restore the physiological clearance mechanisms of the respiratory tract which play an important role in the body’s natural defence mechanisms. It stimulates synthesis and release of surfactant by type II pneumocytes. Surfactants acts as an anti-glue factor by reducing the adhesion of mucus to the bronchial wall, in improving its transport and in providing protection against infection and irritating agents .

Ambroxol is indicated as “secretolytic therapy in bronchopulmonary diseases associated with abnormal mucus secretion and impaired mucus transport. It promotes mucus clearance, facilitates expectoration and eases productive cough, allowing patients to breathe freely and deeply . There are many different formulations developed since the first marketing authorisation in 1978. A major product is the syrup with two concentrations of the substance, 30 mg/ml and 15 mg/ml, which can be given in adults and children from the age of 1 year on and even from infant in the latter concentration. Other formulations are tablets containing 30 mg or 60 mg, and a pastille to be sucked with 15 mg ambroxol. There is also a sustained release form with 75 mg to be given once a day. Ambroxol is also available as dry powder sachets, inhalation solution, drops and ampoules as well as effervescent tablets.

Ambroxol also provides pain relief in acute sore throat. Pain in sore throat is the hallmark of acute pharyngitis. Sore throat is usually caused by a viral infection. The infection is self limited and the patient recovers normally after a few days. What is most bothering for the patient is the continuous pain in the throat maximized when the patient is swallowing. The main goal of treatment is thus to reduce pain. The main property of Ambroxol for treating sore throat is the local anaesthetic effect, described first in the late 1970s , but explained and confirmed in more recent work.

Ambroxol is a very potent inhibitor of the neuronal Na+ channels . This property led to the development of a lozenge containing 20 mg of ambroxol. Many state-of-the-art clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Ambroxol in relieving pain in acute sore throat, with a fast onset of action and a long duration of effect of at least 3 hours. Additional anti-inflammatory properties of Ambroxol are of clinical relevance since treatment lead to a marked reduction of redness of the patient’s sore throat.

References

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Ambroxol hydrochloride tablets in Japan

de:Ambroxol