Expectorant General

Respiratory disease In general, antihistamines are not recommended to treat lower respiratory tract symptoms, because their anticholinergic effects may cause thickening of secretions and impair expectoration. However, several reports indicate antihistamines can be safely used in asthmatic patients with severe perennial allergic rhinitis. 

As an expectorant for coughs and all bronchial affections. Is used generally to allay irritation of mucous surfaces. Dose, 2 to 10 grains of the powdered bulb. Large doses produce emesis. 

The oxide 1,8-cineole (also called eucalyptol) is often described as a skin irritant. It is a major component in Eucalyptus globulus (up to around 90%), which has GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status. Within the oil it is attributed beneficial effects such as antiseptic and expectorant. The other components present are again the hydrocarbon terpenes a-pinene, limonene, cymene, phellandrene, terpinene and aromadendrene. 

Ipecacuanha is an extract of the root of Psychotria ipecacuanha, also known as Cephaelis ipecacuanha, a member of the Rubiaceae. It contains the emetic alkaloids cephaehne and emetine. It has often been used as a home remedy for various purposes, and not only as an emetic. It is a traditional ingredient of some expectorants, since expectoration often accompanies vomiting. Misuse of ipecacuanha by patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia has resulted in severe myopathy, lethargy, eiythema, dysphagia, cardiotoxi-city, and even death. Use in infancy generally seems safe. 

Africa leaves diaphoretic, expectorant, prophylactic against fever, excessive perspiration, astringent, treatment kidney and bladder diseases, asthma, general fatigue, diarrhoea, inflammations, insect bites, Guinea worm, hyposensitive, antihistamine properties, sources with poultices 3, 10)... 

Adequate water intake generally is acceptable to maintain hydration and assist in the removal of airway sections. Beyond this, the regular use of mucolytics or expectorants for COPD patients has no proven benefit. This includes the use of saturated solutions of potassium iodide, ammonium chloride, acetylcysteine, and guaifenesin. 

Particularly problematic are expectorated sputum specimens that must be evaluated carefully by determination of the presence of squamous epithelial cells and leukocytes. A predominance of epithelial cells in sputum specimens reduces the likelihood that recovered bacteria are pathogenic, especially when multiple types of organisms are seen on Gram stain. In contrast, the discovery of leukocytes in large numbers with one predominant type of organism is a more reliable indicator of a valid collection. In general, however, sputum evaluation has poor sensitivity and specificity as a diagnostic test. ... 

QUILLAIA BARK Quillajae cortex is the bark of Quillaja saponaria, Molina, family Rosaceae, from which the cork is removed. This species is an evergreen tree in Chile (in the valleys of the Cordilleras), Peru and Bolivia. The drug consists of the inner bark which is generally cut before marketing. It has an acrid taste and causes sneezing. The bark contains about 10% of a saponin mixture (Quillaia saponin), which besides its use as an expectorant also has a technical use and as an adjuvant in some vaccines as the saponin potentiates the immunising power of the vaccine. 

In addition to the general symptoms described, the patient with cardiogenic edema also may become extremely anxious, perspire heavily, and expectorate sputum that is frothy and blood tinged. The skin is usually observed to be cold, ashen, and cyanotic as a result of a low cardiac output and increased sympathetic drive (Ingram and Braunwald, 1980). 

Emetine (Fig. 7-9) in the form of the crude drug obtained from the roots and rhizomes of Ipecac (Cephaelis ipecacuanha) has been in use since the seventeenth century. The alkaloid, as the hydrochloride, has been used parenterally to treat amebic dysentery. It is also effective in hepatic infestation, but not against amebic cysts. Because of its cardiac toxicity and emetogenic properties, it has been superseded by metronidazole and chloroquine, but it is still used as an alternative. The amebicidal mechanism of emetine is protein synthesis inhibition by interference of peptidyl-RNA translocation. Since this action is general to eukaryotic cells, its relative selectivity in the presence of mammalian cells is not well understood. Unrelated uses of Ipecac (presumably due to its alkaloid content) are as an expectorant in cough preparations and an emergency emetic (Syrup of Ipecac). 

Describe the uses, general drug actions, adverse reactions, contraindications, precautions and interadions of antitussive, mucolytic, and expectorant drugs. 

Laminaria possesses remarkable properties that make it a wonderful component of dietary supplements. Due to its amazing medicinal benefits, it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine since centuries and is listed in the Chinese pharmacopeia. In general. Laminaria is considered as a cold, salty herb, prescribed to cleanse heat, resolve phlegm, and soften and disperse hard accumulations (e.g., goiters). It is often used to control edema, as an expectorant and antitussive, and as a remedy for testicular pain and swelling. Despite its salty character, the herb is slightly hypotensive. 

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