Mucolytics

Question 1

What are the respiratory indications?

Answer 1

Expectorant cough in asthma/COPD.

In some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a chronic productive cough, mucolytics can reduce exacerbations; mucolytic therapy should be stopped if there is no benefit after a 4-week trial.

Question 2

How do mucolytics works?

Answer 2

Reduce the viscosity of sputum.

Question 3

Give some examples of mucolytics.

Answer 3

Carbocisteine
Erdosteine
Dornase alfa
Hypertonic sodium chloride
Ivacaftor
Mannitol

Question 4

What are the possible side effects?

Answer 4

Rarely gastro-intestinal bleeding; also reported Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme

Question 5

What are the contraindications?

Answer 5

Active peptic ulceration

Question 6

What are the possible interactions?

Answer 6

?

Question 7

How are mucolytics eliminated?

Answer 7

?via sputum

Question 8

Patient information

Answer 8

Explain that the medication is designed to thin out the mucus inside their lungs and make it easier to cough up. They will also reduce the possibility of respiratory infections.