Antitussive drugs
Antitussive drugs
Cough (lat. tussis) — a reflex act as in response to the irritation in the upper respiratory airways, bronchi. The afferent part of the arch of coughing reflex is represented by specific receptors of laryngeal and bronchial mucous tunics. The center of the cough reflex is located in medulla oblongata while its afferent part is composed of expiratory muscles.
Cough is a protective mechanism which facilitates the removal of excessive secretion of bronchial glands and foreign particles out of the respiratory airways.
In some cases cough can be nonproductive, i.e. do not perform any protective functions. In such situations antitussive drugs are used. They decrease the intensity and frequency of cough.
Antitussive drugs of central action
Codeine, dihydrocodeine, ethylmorphine – agonists of opioid receptors (narcotic analgesics) – the drugs of this group depress the cough center.
The drugs of central non-narcotic type
- Glaucine, Butamirate.
The drugs of mainly peripheral action
- Libexin (Prenoxdiazine), балтикс, benzoate.
Codeine – opium alkaloid of phenanthrene row. By its chemical composition – methylmorphine. In comparison with morphine it is 10 times less effective as an analgesic. It is potent as an antitussive drug. It alleviates cough in subanalgesic doses. Adverse reactions: decreases bronchial secretion, the activity of ciliated epithelium in bronchi. That is why it can lead to the retention of mucus secretion. It can cause constipations, drug dependence. In large doses it depresses the respiratory center.Prescription: p/o in the form of tablets, syrop, powders of 0,01-0,02 g. Indications: alleviation of nonproductive cough.
Glaucine (глаувент) exerts a depressing effect on the cough center, but doesn’t depress the respiratory one. It doesn’t cause sleepiness, drug dependence or decrease of motor activity of intestines. It is prescribed for severe and exhausting cough at the diseases of upper and lower respiratory airways. Adverse reactions: it can cause vertigo and nausea.Glaucine hydrochloride (Glaucini hydrochloridum) is produced in tablets of 0,05 g. Taken 2-3 times a day.
Libexin (Prenoxdiazine) is a synthetic drug. It performs an anesthetizing influence on the mucous of respiratory airways, expresses broncholytic effect. Prescribed for p/o use, it decreases the sensitivity of the receptors of the respiratory airways, affecting the peripheral part of cough reflex. It doesn’t exhibit any significant influence on CNS. It is not advized to use in case of severe cough with excessive sputum, because Libexin can faciliate the retention of sputum secretion. Libexin is in tablet form of 0,1g. It is taken p/o - 0,1g 3-4 times a day.
Codeine
– opium alkaloid of phenanthrene row. By its chemical composition – methylmorphine. In comparison with morphine it is 10 times less effective as an analgesic. It is potent as an antitussive drug. It alleviates cough in subanalgesic doses.
Adverse reactions: decreases bronchial secretion, the activity of ciliated epithelium in bronchi. That is why it can lead to the retention of mucus secretion. It can cause constipations, drug dependence. In large doses it depresses the respiratory center.
Prescription: p/o in the form of tablets, syrop, powders of 0,01-0,02 g.
Indications: alleviation of nonproductive cough.
Glaucine
(глаувент) exerts a depressing effect on the cough center, but doesn’t depress the respiratory one. It doesn’t cause sleepiness, drug dependence or decrease of motor activity of intestines.
It is prescribed for severe and exhausting cough at the diseases of upper and lower respiratory airways.
Adverse reactions: it can cause vertigo and nausea.
Glaucine hydrochloride (Glaucini hydrochloridum) is produced in tablets of 0,05 g. Taken 2-3 times a day.
Libexin
(Prenoxdiazine) is a synthetic drug. It performs an anesthetizing influence on the mucous of respiratory airways, expresses broncholytic effect. Prescribed for p/o use, it decreases the sensitivity of the receptors of the respiratory airways, affecting the peripheral part of cough reflex. It doesn’t exhibit any significant influence on CNS. It is not advized to use in case of severe cough with excessive sputum, because Libexin can faciliate the retention of sputum secretion.
Libexin is in tablet form of 0,1g. It is taken p/o - 0,1g 3-4 times a day.
