Bromhexine is an expectorant used in the treatment of respiratory disorders

associated with viscid or excessive mucus.[1]

It was patented in 1961 and came into medical use in 1966.[2]

Function
Bromhexine is intended to support the body's mechanisms for clearing mucus from the
respiratory tract. It is secretolytic, increasing the production of serous mucus in
the respiratory tract, which makes the phlegm thinner and less viscous. This
contributes to a secretomotoric effect, allowing the cilia to more easily transport
the phlegm out of the lungs. For this reason it is often added to cough syrups.

Bromhexine is a synthetic derivative of the herbal active ingredient vasicine.

[citation needed] It has been shown to increase the proportion of serous bronchial
secretion, making it more easily expectorated. It is indicated as "secretolytic
therapy in bronchopulmonary diseases associated with abnormal mucus secretion and
impaired mucus transport".

Bromhexine is contained in various formulations, high and low strength syrups 8

mg/5 ml, 4 mg/5 ml, tablets and soluble tablets (both with 8 mg bromhexine) and
solution for oral use 10 mg/5 ml, adapted to the need of the patients. The posology
varies with the age and weight, but there are products for all age groups from
infant on. Bromhexine is well established and tolerated.

Brand names
Broncholyte Elixir
Bisolvon
Paxirasol
Barkacin
Bromhexin
Vasican
Bisolex
Robitussin Chesty/Forte
Duro-Tuss Chesty/Forte
Benadryl Chesty/Forte
Movex
Bromex
Solvex
Mucolyte
Brofentol
Brofentol Plus
Dysolvon
Flegamina
Ventilate Forte (combination of bromhexine and salbutamol)
Cofdex
References
Morton, Ian; Hall, Judith (1999). Concise Dictionary of Pharmacological Agents.
Springer. p. 55. ISBN 0-7514-0499-3. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
Fischer, Jnos; Ganellin, C. Robin (2006). Analogue-based Drug Discovery. John
Wiley & Sons. p. 544. ISBN 9783527607495.
vte
Cough and cold preparations (R05)
Expectorants
Althea root Antimony pentasulfide Creosote Guaiacolsulfonate Guaifenesin (+
oxomemazine) Ipecacuanha (Syrup of ipecac) Levoverbenone Potassium iodide Senega
Tyloxapol Ammonium Chloride
Mucolytics
Acetylcysteine# Ambroxol Bromhexine Carbocisteine Domiodol Dornase alfa Eprazinone
Erdosteine Letosteine Mannitol Mesna Neltenexine Sobrerol Stepronin Tiopronin
Cough suppressants
Opium alkaloids,
opioids,
and derivatives
Acetyldihydrocodeine Benzylmorphine Butorphanol Codeine# Dextromethorphan
Dihydrocodeine Dimemorfan Droxypropine Ethylmorphine Heroin Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone Isoaminile Laudanum Levomethadone Levopropoxyphene Methadone
Nicocodeine Nicodicodeine Normethadone Noscapine Pholcodine Thebacon Tipepidine
Other
Benzonatate Benproperine Bibenzonium bromide Butamirate Clobutinol Clofedanol
Cloperastine Diphenhydramine Dibunate Dimethoxanate Dropropizine Fedrilate Glaucine
Levodropropizine Meprotixol Morclofone Nepinalone Oxolamine Oxeladin Pentoxyverine
Pipazetate Prenoxdiazine Piperidione Zipeprol
#WHO-EM �Withdrawn from market Clinical trials: �Phase III �Never to phase III
Categories: AntidotesExpectorantsAnilinesOrganobromides