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RESPIRATORY SYSTEM › COUGH AND COLD PREPARATIONS › EXPECTORANTS, EXCL. COMBINATIONS WITH COUGH SUPPRESSANTS › Mucolytics
erdosteine
R05CB15
Forms & Strengths
- Capsules: 300 mg
- Granules for oral suspension: 225 mg per sachet
Adult Dosing
- 300 mg orally twice to three times daily
- Maximum duration of treatment without medical re-evaluation is 10 days
Pediatric Dosing
- Not recommended for children under 12 years of age due to lack of sufficient safety and efficacy data
Indications
- Mucolytic agent for acute and chronic respiratory tract diseases with excessive viscous mucus secretion
Mechanism of Action
- Prodrug containing free sulfhydryl groups released after hepatic metabolism
- Cleaves disulfide bridges of glycoproteins in mucus, reducing sputum viscosity and elasticity
- Enhances mucociliary clearance and exerts free radical scavenging antioxidant effects
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to erdosteine or compounds containing free sulfhydryl groups
- Severe hepatic impairment (cirrhosis or elevated transaminases)
- Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 25 mL/min)
- Active peptic ulcer disease
- Phenylketonuria (certain suspension formulations containing aspartame)
Adverse Reactions
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Epigastric pain
- Headache
- Taste disturbances
- Rash and pruritus (hypersensitivity)
Drug Interactions
- May be combined safely with antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, clarithromycin) and bronchodilators
- No significant pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions identified with standard cytochrome P450 substrates
- Antitussive drugs may cause mucus accumulation and should not be co-administered concurrently without medical supervision
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use