Ambroxol is a substance that helps to cope with respiratory diseases. It improves sputum discharge. This substance is part of many drugs. One of them bears the same name. Consider Ambroxol, an annotation to the drug.
Release forms and formulations
Ambroxol is available in several dosage forms. With them, as well as their compositions can be found below in the table.
"Ambroxol": dosage forms and formulations| The name of the dosage form | Structure |
| Active substance | Auxiliary components |
| Tablets | Ambroxol hydrochloride (Ambroxol) | Magnesium stearate, potato starch, lactose monohydrate, colloidal silicon dioxide |
| Solution for inhalation and oral administration | Purified water, benzalkonium chloride, citric acid monohydrate, sodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride |
| Solution for oral use only | Purified water, sorbitol, apricot flavor, hydroxyethyl cellulose, glycerol, benzoic acid |
| Syrup | Purified water, flavors, hydroxyethyl cellulose, liquid sorbitol (non-crystallizing), potassium acesulfame, glycerol, benzoic acid |
| Solution developed for intravenous administration | Water for injection, citric acid monohydrate, sodium chloride, sodium hydrogen phosphate heptahydrate, 1M hydrochloric acid |
pharmachologic effect
Ambroxol indicated in the annotation has a mucolytic, expectorant effect. This component in the human body has a stimulating effect on serous cells located in the mucous membrane of the bronchi. As a result of this, the disturbed relationship between the components of sputum, serous and mucous, is restored. The serous component is fluid. It helps to reduce the viscosity of sputum, dilutes it.
Under the influence of ambroxol in the tracheobronchial tree, cilia of the ciliated epithelium increase motor activity. Thanks to this, mucociliary transport is improved. Another pharmacological effect of ambroxol is an increase in the formation of endogenous surfactant. This is the name of a surfactant, which in the respiratory tract provides gliding of bronchial secretions.
Pharmacokinetics
After taking tablets, solution or syrup, the active substance for a short period of time and is almost completely absorbed from the digestive system. The maximum concentration, as indicated in the annotation to Ambroxol, is reached after 0.5-4 hours. When administered parenterally, the active substance is rapidly distributed throughout the human body. The highest concentration is determined in the lungs.
Ambroxol is metabolized in the liver. During this process, pharmacologically inactive metabolites are formed (glucuronic conjugates and dibromanthranilic acid). The half-life is 7-12 hours. In chronic renal failure, it increases, but in case of impaired liver function, it remains unchanged. Ambroxol is excreted mainly by the kidneys (approximately 90% in the form of metabolites and 5% in unchanged form).
The active substance penetrates the blood-brain and placental barrier, is excreted in lactating women with milk. Doctors take these nuances into account when prescribing the drug to their patients.
When can and when not to use the drug
In the annotation to Ambroxol, it is said that it is prescribed in different dosage forms:
- in acute and chronic diseases affecting the respiratory system and proceeding with the release of viscous sputum (for example, you can use a medicine for obstructive pulmonary disease, which occurs in a chronic form, bronchitis, pneumonia);
- with respiratory distress syndrome in babies born, including premature babies.
The drug has several contraindications. Ambroxol cannot be treated if there is a violation of the motility of the bronchi, the presence of convulsive syndrome, duodenal ulcer and stomach, hypersensitivity to the active substance and auxiliary components that are part of the existing dosage forms. Also, the medication is contraindicated for pregnant women in the first trimester, nursing mothers and with large volumes of sputum excreted.
Features of the use of the drug depend on the selected dosage form, existing disease, age of the patient. The doctor determines the dose and duration of treatment individually for each patient, based on general recommendations, which are indicated in the annotation to the Ambroxol preparation.
The use of tablets, solution and syrup
Tablets with enough water are drunk after meals. Dosages, frequency of administration of the drug:
- for children from 12 years of age and adults — for 2–3 days, 1 tablet (30 mg) three times a day, and then 30 mg twice a day;
- for children 6-12 years old - half a tablet (15 mg each) twice or three times a day.
The annotation for Ambroxol tablets indicates that this form of the drug is not prescribed for children under 6 years of age.
A solution intended for inhalation and oral administration, at a dosage of 7.5 mg / ml, is drunk after meals.
It is allowed to add it to fruit juices, milk, tea, water. Doses and frequency of use:
- for children from 12 years old and adults - 4 ml three times a day for the first 2-3 days and 4 ml twice a day for the following days;
- for children 6-12 years of age - twice or three times a day for 2 ml;
- for children 2-6 years of age - three times a day for 1 ml;
- children under 2 years of age - 1 ml twice a day (under the supervision of a doctor).
For inhalation, a medicine is prepared. A solution containing ambroxol is added to a 0.9% sodium chloride solution in a 1: 1 ratio. The finished drug mixture is heated to body temperature. It is recommended to do 1 or 2 inhalations per day. Doses of the solution:
- children from 6 years old and adults - 2-3 ml each (daily dose of ambroxol is from 15 to 45 mg);
- children under 6 years old - 2 ml each (daily dose - from 15 to 30 mg of ambroxol).
Syrup is available in several dosages - 15 mg per 5 ml, 30 mg per 5 ml. This means that 5 ml of the drug contains 15 or 30 mg of the active substance. For each dosage, certain application features are established. They are listed in the annotation for the Ambroxol syrup and are presented in the table below.
Syrup *
| Age group | Dosage |
| 15 mg per 5 ml | 30 mg per 5 ml |
| 12 years and older | The first 2-3 days - 10 ml of syrup three times a day. Subsequent treatment - the use of the drug 2 times a day in an unchanged volume. | The first 2-3 days - 5 ml three times a day. Subsequent treatment - the use of the drug 2 times a day in an unchanged volume. |
| 6-12 years old | Twice or three times a day, 5 ml. | 2.50 ml of the drug twice or three times a day. |
| 2-6 years | Three times a day, 2.50 ml. | At 1.25 ml three times a day. |
| up to 2 years | Twice a day, 2.50 ml. | At 1.25 ml twice a day. |
* Syrup is drunk after a meal.
Intravenous administration
A solution developed for intravenous administration is administered dropwise or slowly in a jet. Doses are indicated in the annotation for the use of Ambroxol:
- For adults, the daily dose is from 30 to 45 mg. The medicine is used twice or three times a day. In severe diseases, the daily dose is increased to 60–90 mg.
- For children, as a rule, the daily dose is calculated taking into account body weight - 1.2-1.6 mg of the drug per 1 kg of weight. Also in the instructions you can see the following recommendations:
- for children over 6 years old - from 30 to 45 mg per day (in divided doses twice or three times a day);
- for children 2-6 years old - 22.5 mg per day (in divided doses three times a day);
- for children under 2 years - 15 mg per day (in divided doses twice a day).
For infants with respiratory distress syndrome, a daily dose of 30 mg is prescribed. It is divided into 4 introductions.
Allergic side effects
Due to ingestion of Ambroxol, unwanted symptoms may occur. In people with hypersensitivity to this component, allergic reactions are observed. Rashes appear on the skin.
Angioedema is not excluded, in which there is an increase in the limbs or face or its parts. Anaphylactic shock is also possible in some cases - a pronounced reaction of the body to an allergen. This condition is dangerous, because it can lead to death.
Other unwanted effects
The digestive system can negatively react to ambroxol. Side symptoms from her side are diarrhea, constipation. However, people are faced with these effects quite rarely. With prolonged use of high doses of the drug with ambroxol, patients fix the presence of heartburn, nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen.
Other side effects from Ambroxol are possible. In the annotation to the drug it is said that in rare cases, patients experience headaches, weakness, dryness of the mucous membrane lining the airways and oral cavity, rhinorrhea (profuse mucous discharge from the nose), dysuria (impaired urination).
With rapid intravenous administration of a solution containing ambroxol, a number of side effects occur in patients:
- Strong headache;
- numbness
- lowering blood pressure;
- a sharp breakdown and muscle weakness;
- dyspnea;
- chills.
Additional nuances
Caution in use must be observed in renal and severe renal failure. In case of violation of the urinary system, as you know, the process of removing Ambroxol from the body is inhibited. So that human health is not harmed, the medicine is used either in reduced doses, or at longer intervals.
It is not recommended to combine Ambroxol with antitussive drugs. They eliminate coughing. Because of this, sputum is not properly removed from the bronchi. Also not recommended:
- apply the medicine before bedtime;
- perform breathing exercises during the treatment with Ambroxol;
- apply the medication for more than 4-5 days without a doctor's prescription.
Before starting treatment, each patient must be familiar with the annotation. Methods of using "Ambroxol", the dose is determined by the doctor. You cannot change something yourself in your treatment. Inadequate dosage reduction leads to the fact that treatment is ineffective, and improper dosage increase sometimes causes an overdose. In this condition, salivation increases, blood pressure decreases, nausea and vomiting are tormented. To eliminate the symptoms of an overdose, a number of measures are required. They include gastric lavage, intake of fat-containing products, symptomatic therapy (if necessary).