Via practica 4/2007

COUGH AND ITS PHARMACOLOGICAL INFLUENCE

The presented work is concerned on the cough reflex, which is the most important airway defensive mechanism. The cough is responsible for the cleaning function of the airways. In the case that cough performs its physiological role, we do not use drugs for its suppression. Only agents, which increase the expectoration of respiratory fluids are recommended. However, cough often does not perform a cleaning function and it becomes a pathological reflex which is a burden for patient’s organism. In this case, it is necessary to suppress the cough or maintain it at tolerable grade. The selection of drugs, including those free available in pharmacy network, depends on the type and character of cough. Peripheral antitussive drugs (butamirate citras, dropropizine) or indirect mucoactive substances (n-acetylcysteine, carboxymethylcysteine, bromhexine and ambroxol) are preferred. Their main advantages in comparison with the central antitussive substances codeine type are that they do not suppress the respiratory centre, do not lead to drug dependence and also do not negatively influence on the expectoration. From this point of view naturally occured agents which are the compounds of Mucoplant, Hedelix and Coldrex-broncho were proved.

Keywords: cough, dextromethorphane, butamirate citras, droprozine, n-acetylcysteine, bromhexine, ambroxol.