What is Ambrox (Ambroxol Hydrochloride) 100ml?
Ambrox (Ambroxol Hydrochloride) 100ml is an oral mucolytic medicine containing ambroxol hydrochloride. It is used to help manage respiratory conditions associated with thick or excessive mucus.
Ambroxol is a mucolytic and expectorant medicine. Rather than suppressing a productive cough, it works to make thick respiratory secretions less viscous and easier to clear from the airways.
What is Ambrox used for?
Ambroxol is commonly used in respiratory conditions where mucus is thick, sticky or difficult to clear.
It may be used as part of the management of conditions such as:
- Productive cough associated with excessive mucus
- Acute bronchitis
- Chronic bronchitis
- Other respiratory conditions involving thick bronchial secretions
The underlying cause of the cough should be considered before treatment. Ambrox is intended primarily for mucus-producing coughs, rather than a dry cough where there is little or no mucus.
How does Ambroxol work?
Ambroxol helps modify the properties of mucus in the respiratory tract. It reduces the viscosity of bronchial secretions, making mucus less thick and easier to move.
It also supports the normal clearance of mucus through the body's mucociliary system. By helping loosen respiratory secretions, it can make coughing more productive and assist in clearing mucus from the airways.
Ambroxol should therefore not be thought of as a conventional cough suppressant. Its purpose is to help the body clear mucus from the respiratory tract.
Precautions
Do not use Ambrox if you are allergic to ambroxol hydrochloride or any other ingredient in the formulation.
People with a history of stomach or duodenal ulcers should discuss use with a healthcare professional before taking ambroxol.
Patients with significant kidney or liver problems may require medical advice before using the medicine.
Ambroxol should not automatically be combined with a cough suppressant without professional advice. Suppressing the cough reflex while simultaneously increasing the movement of loosened mucus can potentially make it more difficult to clear respiratory secretions.
Common side effects
Ambroxol is generally well tolerated, but possible side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Indigestion
- Dry mouth
- Changes in taste
Allergic or hypersensitivity reactions can occur.
Rare but serious skin reactions have been reported with ambroxol-containing medicines. Stop taking the medicine and seek urgent medical attention if you develop a rapidly spreading rash, blistering, peeling skin, sores involving the mouth or eyes, facial swelling or difficulty breathing.
