Table 5.
Classification of mucoactive drugs according to direct or indirect effects on bronchial secretions (by Braga and Allegra, 1989)
| Mucoactive substances | ||
|---|---|---|
| Directly acting | Drugs destroying mucous polymers | Thiols –N-acetylcystein (ACC, Broncholysin, L-Cimexyl, Solmucol), Mesna (Mistabron) |
| Enzymes—Trypsin, chymotrypsin, streptokinase other – Urea, citric acid, Hypertonic salt solutions, Anorganic iodides | ||
| Indirectly acting | Drugs modifying mucin biochemistry and mucus secretion | Carbocysteine (Fenorin, Mucopront, Mucodyn) |
| Bromhexine (Bisolvon, Bromhexin, Flegamina, Paxirasol) | ||
| Drugs modifying the adhesiveness of the gel layer | Ambroxol (Ambrobene, Ambrosan, Bronchopront, Mucosolvan) | |
| Tyloxapol (Tacholiquin) | ||
| Drugs modifying the sol layer and hydration | Water | |
| Sodium salts | ||
| Potassium salts | ||
| Volatile inhalants and balsams | Terpenes | |
| Phenol derivatives | ||
| Drugs stimulating gastropulmonary reflex | Ammonium chloride | |
| Guaifenesin (Guajacuran) | ||
| Ipecacuanha | ||
| Sodium citrate | ||
| Drugs modifying bronchial glands activity | Sympathomimetics | |
| Parasymphathomimects | ||
| Corticosteroids | ||
| Antihistamines | ||