J Korean Med Assoc.  2013 Nov;56(11):1025-1030. 10.5124/jkma.2013.56.11.1025.

Antitussive and mucoactive drugs

• Sohn JW

• KMID: 2193478
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2013.56.11.1025

Abstract

Cough is the most frequent complaint from medical patients even though coughing is a protective reflex. The principle of relief from a cough is treatment of its underlying disease. However, when the treatment of the cause of coughing is not effective, cough suppression therapy just to relieve the symptom may be attempted. Antitussives and mucoactive drugs are used for this purpose. Unfortunately, the currently available agents are not consistently effective and frequently have intolerable side effects. Therefore, understanding the side effects and mechanism of action of these agents is definitely needed. This review provides a summary of the currently available antitussives and mucoactives.

Keyword

Antitussive agents; Expectorants; Mucoactives; Cough; Sputum

MeSH Terms

Antitussive Agents
Cough
Expectorants
Humans
Reflex
Sputum
Antitussive Agents
Expectorants

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