Bromhexine

Bromhexine

Systematic (IUPAC) name
2,4-dibromo-6-{[cyclohexyl(methyl)amino]methyl}aniline
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
Pregnancy cat.	A (Aus)
Legal status	?
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	75-80%
Half-life	12 hr
Identifiers
CAS number	3572-43-8 Y
ATC code	R05CB02
PubChem	CID 2442
ChemSpider	2348 Y
UNII	Q1J152VB1P Y
KEGG	D07542 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL253376 Y
Chemical data
Formula	C14H20Br2N2
Mol. mass	376.13
SMILES	eMolecules & PubChem
InChI InChI=1S/C14H20Br2N2/c1-18(12-5-3-2-4-6-12)9-10-7-11(15)8-13(16)14(10)17/h7-8,12H,2-6,9,17H2,1H3 Y Key:OJGDCBLYJGHCIH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
Y (what is this?)  (verify)

Bromhexine is a mucolytic agent used in the treatment of respiratory disorders associated with viscid or excessive mucus. In addition, bromhexine has antioxidant properties.

Function

Bromhexine supports the body's own natural mechanisms for clearing mucus from the respiratory tract.

It is secretolytic: that is, it increases the production of serous mucus in the respiratory tract and makes the phlegm thinner and less sticky. This contributes to a secretomotoric effect: it helps the cilia - tiny hairs that line the respiratory tract - to transport the phlegm out of the lungs. For this reason it is often added to some antitussive (cough) syrups.

Bromhexine is a synthetic derivative of the herbal active ingredient vasicine. It has been shown to increase the proportion of serous bronchial secretion, making it more easily expectorated. Bromhexine also enhances mucus transport by reducing mucus viscosity and by activating the ciliated epithelium. In clinical studies, Bromhexine showed secretolytic and secretomotoric effects in the bronchial tract area which facilitates expectoration and eases cough. It is indicated as “secretolytic therapy in bronchopulmonary diseases associated with abnormal mucus secretion and impaired mucus transport”. Bromhexine is contained in various formulations, high and low strength syrups 8mg/5ml, 4 mg/5ml, tablets and soluble tablets (both with 8 mg bromhexine) and solution for oral use 10 mg/ 5 ml), adapted to the need of the patients. The posology varies with the age, but there are products for all age groups from infant on. Bromhexine is a well established and well tolerated product in its indication.

Sometimes it is replaced by its metabolite ambroxol, as in Mucosolvan or Mucoangin.

Brand names

• Bisolvon Forte (a product of Boehringer Ingelheim)
• Hoesttabletten Bromhexine HCl
• Paxirasol
• Barkacin
• Vasican
• Bisolex
• Robitussin Chesty/Forte
• Duro-Tuss Chesty
• Benadryl Chesty/Forte