Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen You Might Need a MucolyticTypesFormulationsSide EffectsPrecautions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When You Might Need a Mucolytic
Types
Formulations
Side Effects
Precautions
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Though mucus plays an important role in the lungs—trapping irritants so that they can be expelled through coughing—overproduction can lead to shortness of breath, persistent"wet" coughs, and other potentially debilitating breathing problems.
How to Clear Mucus From the Lungs
Types of Mucolytics
There are two types of mucolytics used in specific circumstances:
Other Mucoactive Agents
Mucolytics is one of four types of mucoactive agent, each of which has different mechanisms of action and treat the overproduction of mucus in different ways.
The other types of mucoactive agents are:
OTC formulations are generally taken two to three times daily at the prescribed dose. Taking more than the recommended dose won’t make the drug more effective but may only serve to increase the risk (or severity) of side effects.
Some of the more common OTC mucolytics include:
Some of the more common prescription mucolytics include:
Possible Side Effects
Many of the same can occur with prescription mucolytics, along with diarrhea, rash, anddark stools(due togastric bleeding). Nebulized or aerosolized mucolytics can also causesore throat, runny nose, and white patches in the mouth (due tooral thrush).
Precautions and Contraindications
Mucolytics are generally considered safe when used as prescribed, but they should not be used in children under 6. You should also consult your healthcare provider before taking mucolytics if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not take mucolytics if you have a stomach ulcer, as they can make it worse.
Summary
Mucolytics are a class of drugs that break up mucus in the airways so that it can be coughed up more easily. Some are available over the counter, while others require a prescription from a healthcare provider.
Mucolytics can treat a wide range of respiratory conditions involving excess mucus in the airways, including asthma, bronchiectasis, the common cold, COPD, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, and tuberculosis.
A Word From Verywell
OTC mucolytics like Mucinex are effective, but they are not intended for long-term use.
If you continue to have a persistent or worsening cough with mucus after seven days, call your healthcare provider. Other, more effective treatments may be needed.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Aaron SD.Mucolytics for COPD: negotiating a slippery slope towards proof of efficacy.Eur Respir J. 2017;50(4) doi:10.1183/13993003.01465-2017Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.Pocket guide to COPD diagnosis, management, and prevention: a guide for health care professionals (2017 report). 2017Yoon H, Lee DH.Mucolytics as adjuvant agent to improve helicobacter pylori eradication rate: still long and winding road to positive results.Gut Liver. 2015;9(3):257–258. doi:10.5009/gnl15117
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Aaron SD.Mucolytics for COPD: negotiating a slippery slope towards proof of efficacy.Eur Respir J. 2017;50(4) doi:10.1183/13993003.01465-2017Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.Pocket guide to COPD diagnosis, management, and prevention: a guide for health care professionals (2017 report). 2017Yoon H, Lee DH.Mucolytics as adjuvant agent to improve helicobacter pylori eradication rate: still long and winding road to positive results.Gut Liver. 2015;9(3):257–258. doi:10.5009/gnl15117
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Aaron SD.Mucolytics for COPD: negotiating a slippery slope towards proof of efficacy.Eur Respir J. 2017;50(4) doi:10.1183/13993003.01465-2017Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.Pocket guide to COPD diagnosis, management, and prevention: a guide for health care professionals (2017 report). 2017Yoon H, Lee DH.Mucolytics as adjuvant agent to improve helicobacter pylori eradication rate: still long and winding road to positive results.Gut Liver. 2015;9(3):257–258. doi:10.5009/gnl15117
Aaron SD.Mucolytics for COPD: negotiating a slippery slope towards proof of efficacy.Eur Respir J. 2017;50(4) doi:10.1183/13993003.01465-2017
Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.Pocket guide to COPD diagnosis, management, and prevention: a guide for health care professionals (2017 report). 2017
Yoon H, Lee DH.Mucolytics as adjuvant agent to improve helicobacter pylori eradication rate: still long and winding road to positive results.Gut Liver. 2015;9(3):257–258. doi:10.5009/gnl15117
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