Expectorants: Guaifenesin

Expectorants

Expectorants thin mucus so it’s cleared more easily out of the air-ways. They also soothe mucous membranes in the respiratory tract. The result is a more productive cough.

Guaifenesin

The most commonly used expectorant is guaifenesin.

Pharmacokinetics

Guaifenesin is absorbed through the GI tract, metabolized by the liver, and excreted primarily by the kidneys.

Pharmacodynamics

By increasing production of respiratory tract fluids, expectorants reduce the thickness, adhesiveness, and surface tension of mucus, making it easier to clear from the airways. Expectorants also pro-vide a soothing effect on the mucous membranes of the respirato-ry tract.

Pharmacotherapeutics

Guaifenesin is used to relieve symptoms due to ineffective, pro-ductive coughs from many disorders, such as:

·                 bronchial asthma

·                 bronchitis

·                 colds

·                 emphysema

·                 influenza

·                 minor bronchial irritation

·                 sinusitis.

Drug interactions

Guaifenesin isn’t known to have specific drug interactions; howev-er, it does cause some adverse reactions. (See Adverse reactionsto guaifenesin.)