OCR Text |
Show r The drug has consistently proved effective in studies and will likely soon receive official approval as an expectorant. The drug is available in Robitussin, 2-G, Cremacoat-2 liquid, li-quid, etc. as a syrup at 100 mg. per 5 ml. (teaspoonful). Guaifenesin decreases the adhesiveness adhe-siveness of sputum and enhances its removal from the respiratory tract. Adult dosages range from 100-400 mg. at four to six hour intervals. in-tervals. This agent is safe when taken over a prolonged period and adverse reactions are rare. However, Howev-er, side effects of vomiting, nausea and upset stomach have been reported re-ported and may be reduced when water is consumed with the dose. What about the "old standard" ingredients such as ammonium chloride, citric acid-sodium citrate and terpin hydrate, which were once recommended as expectorants? expector-ants? They are seldom used because the quantity needed for effective expectorant action is too great to be reasonably incorporated, into pharmaceutical phar-maceutical cough syrups. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Benylin), an antihistamine used to relieve a wide variety of allergic symptoms, also works' as a cough suppressant which is nearly as effective as codeine. (A 25-50 mg. dose is equal to 15 mg. of codeine in its ability to suppress a cough.) More than 50 percent of patients taking a 50 mg. dose will experience some degree of drowsiness. Diphenhydramine is available over-the-counter (OTC) at 12.5-25 mg. per dose. Are camphor and menthol effective effec-tive cough suppressants when applied ap-plied topically? Camphor and menthol do indeed demonstrate cough suppressant action, ac-tion, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Ointment products of camphor and menthol are generally applied to the throat and chest area and best covered with a warm, dry cloth, then release the camphor and menthol aroma-vapors suppresses coughing when inhaled. Some throat lozenges contain menthol in 5-10 mg. doses which can be dissolved in the mouth at one-two hour intervals as needed or as directed by your physician to suppress coughing. What's an expectorant? Expectorants dilute the thick, tenacious mucus within the respiratory respira-tory tract which then facilitates removal re-moval of these secretions. Expectorants Expec-torants also increase the fluid secretions of the respiratory tract. These actions help remove mucus and reduce irritation of the small tubes within the lungs, thereby suppressing sup-pressing coughing. (Increased moisture through a humidifier or vaporizer also enhances expectorant expector-ant activity.) The active component in Robitussin, Robi-tussin, Guaifenesin, is the most widely used expectorant in both OTC and prescription medications. |